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Another week, another horrible outing by NFL referees giving the Jacksonville Jaguars a clear disadvantage in a game where there was zero margin for error.
Last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers it was bad. This week against the New England Patriots, it was a major contributing factor towards the team’s loss.
FSU beat reporter Brendan Sonnone had an interesting observation:
“Jags-Patriots was the widest discrepancy in penalty yards (-88 yards, Jaguars) in an AFC Championship this millennium. Since 2000, there are only two other examples of a difference of 60+ yards in an AFC Championship. Basically, what we saw today isn’t normal.”
Neat.
Even the @NFLResearch handle got in on the trolling:
“The Patriots were called for 1 penalty against the Jaguars. It is the fewest penalties called on one team in a playoff game since the 2011 AFC Championship... when the Patriots were called for 1 penalty in a win over the Ravens.”
So let’s get to the bad calls.
Bad Call #1: A.J. Bouye pass interference?
I see the refs are throwing flags for good coverage. pic.twitter.com/zerWH0TQPV
— Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) January 21, 2018
They called this interference. They called this interference. Brandin Cooks ran a horrible route, got corralled by A.J. Bouye out of bounds, and now it’s first down just 13 yards from the end zone. Instead of going into halftime down 14-3, he scores seconds before the second quarter ends and it’s 14-10.
I’ve never seen a ref this happy after a team scored a TD. pic.twitter.com/XsficeOwZW
— Dave Lackford (@RivalsDave) January 21, 2018
BONUS: Just look how happy the refs were after they scored the aforementioned touchdown.
Bad Call #2: Myles Jack called down?
Did the refs screw the #Jaguars here by blowing this dead?
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) January 21, 2018
RT - YES
LIKE - NO pic.twitter.com/uUA3M2TzDv
Instead of a game-sealing touchdown after a forced fumble, Myles Jack is called down by contact. You tell me who made contact with Myles. Nothing but field in front of him, but instead of 27-10 it’s just Jaguars ball near midfield.
Bad Call #3: Telvin Smith held on final run play
Did anyone see that hold on 50 telvin Smith. PATS CAN THANK THE REFS FOR THE MANY MISSED CALLS pic.twitter.com/PAQwGJ2Cl4
— Shmoney (@AveryGage3) January 21, 2018
Right in front of the referee, Telvin Smith is held clear as day. Nope, no call. Patriots already up 24-20 though, so this one is obviously a lot less impactful on the scoreline, but it’s still absolutely bogus.
Bruce Irvin ain’t fooled either, y’all.
That’s that meet me in the locker room for the payment tap ♂️ https://t.co/6mjTzm8QJS
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) January 21, 2018