In a recent NFL game, the referees called an illegal bat penalty on Cleveland receiver Josh Gordon. The issue is that he was not close to the line of scrimmage when it happened and he did not have possession of the ball. In addition, there’s no rule against throwing a handoff without first touching each other before going into motion, so this would be outside interference if they re-watched film from college football or even high school games.
The “nfl refs” is a problem that has been present for a while. NFL referees have ruined games, but there are many times where the referee’s decision was not necessary.
Every week, officials destroy NFL games needlessly. They are responsible for keeping participants safe and ensuring that the game is played fairly. However, there is always some debate. It’s possible they didn’t notice anything clearly and didn’t examine it. Most of it is most likely due to human error, but the most egregious errors have fans wondering whether there is corruption in the air.
So now we’ll take a look at 25 occasions the NFL has destroyed games needlessly. We’ve included a combination of iconic calls that influenced the way we think about NFL regulations. There are also some more recent gaffes over the last several years that demonstrate how inept authorities can be. Stadium Talk has compiled a list for you.
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49ers vs. Packers (25). (2021)
There were a lot of dubious calls in this game. The most heated debate erupted in the fourth quarter, after Jimmie Ward’s devastating hit on Davante Adams. The Packers’ receiver was taken off the field, but the Niners were not penalized. Despite the fact that Adams was a defenseless receiver, authorities neglected to flag the perpetrator. The Packers were then flagged for roughing the quarterback and tripping on the following drive by the inept referees (via NBC Sports).
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Green Bay was unimpressed because it was one of those decisions that officials often ignore in order to keep the game flowing. However, San Francisco was also the recipient of several surprising phone calls. The umpires this time missed a blatant holding penalty against John Runyan, which basically cost the 49ers the game. It was a dreadful performance by the officials all-around, but one that supporters are all too accustomed with.
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24. The Thanksgiving Coin Debate (1998)
After overindulging on Thanksgiving dinner, nothing beats kicking back and watching football. In 1998, the Detroit Lions met the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thanksgiving Day. They had no idea, however, that this game would generate one of the most contentious moments in history. When head referee Phil Luckett committed a career-defining error, the game went to overtime.
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Luckett said that Bettis said ‘heads,’ while Bettis maintained that he said ‘tails.’ The Steelers then went on to win the game. Bettis changed his mind in the midst of saying ‘heads,’ the referee later confirmed (via The Washington Post). Fans of the Lions, on the other hand, were unforgiving. It’s still a point of contention since some feel he made the call needlessly, while others believe he did the right thing.
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Browns versus. Chargers, Week 23 (2021)
The Chargers enjoyed a strong start to the year in 2021, but referees gave them a pass against the Browns in Week Three of this year. After the game, Myles Garrett was enraged because the Chargers were needlessly handed a pass interference flag. It was completely incorrect, but the worst part was that it resulted in the Chargers scoring the game-winning touchdown. Cleveland, understandably, felt cheated.
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A.J. Green barely made contact with Mike Williams of L.A., but for some weird reason, the call went against him. Williams, in reality, possessed a number of Green’s jerseys, indicating that he was the genuine culprit (via Fansided). The authorities should have called him for offensive pass interference, but instead chose to side with the assailant. The Browns were left shaking their heads in disappointment, knowing that they deserved more.
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22. New England Patriots vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2019)
Ironically, Tom Brady had complained the week before about bad refereeing, but he said nothing about the AFC Championship Game. Of course, this is due to the fact that the verdict was in his favor. When the referee cited the Kansas City pass rusher for striking Brady, fans watched one of the most humiliating roughing the passer penalties in NFL history. After the Kansas player brushed into him, Brady collapsed like a bag of potatoes.
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An outpouring of rage erupted almost immediately on the internet. NFL great J.J. Watt chastised officials for sabotaging the most important moments in players’ careers. Of course, given the winner headed to the Super Bowl, this game had huge significance. In this occasion, the Patriots were victorious and went on to destroy the Rams. The tiniest of margins will have an impact on top-level outcomes, so authorities must be vigilant (via The Spun).
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Bottlegate (number 21) (2001)
In a game that may be the difference between winning and losing, the Browns met the Jaguars. They realized that a loss would put an end to their narrow chances of entering the playoffs. They were, nevertheless, prepared to battle to the death. They didn’t depend on the officials snatching the game from them. Bottlegate became renowned as a result of a blunder by authorities. They also managed to enrage the whole Brown supporter base (via Toledo Blade).
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Tim Couch of the Cleveland Browns delivered a first-down ball to Quincy Morgan. Before the referees examined the play, the Browns successfully snapped and spiked the ball. There’s no doubting that the catch was dubious, but it was too late to investigate since a new play had been called. Terry McAuley and his crew, on the other hand, disregarded this and went ahead and checked it anyhow. When the touchdown was overturned, the crowd erupted, raining bottles down from above onto the field.
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20. Steelers vs. Seahawks (2021)
When Pittsburgh met Seattle in 2021, the pattern of terrible officiating hit a new low. They didn’t end up costing the Steelers the game, but it was close. With 10 seconds remaining and no timeouts, Seattle was down three points. Then, instead of running out of bounds, D.K. Metcalf mishandled the ball while pushing for additional yards. While the authorities were looking to determine whether Metcalf had caught the ball, his teammate grabbed it and spiked it.
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After the game, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his displeasure. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the authorities’ handling of the incident. Even though the Steelers prevailed in overtime, the game should not have progressed to that point. He held back his criticism because he didn’t want to face a sanction from the NFL for speaking out (via Bleacher Report).
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Eagles versus. Seahawks, game 19 (2020)
Every season, there are weird officiating decisions, but this one ranks among the strangest. The refs chose to mess with Carson Wentz and the Eagles when they were playing Seattle. Wentz tried to handle a snap that was sent over his head by Jason Kelce. Meanwhile, when Wentz threw the ball away, Carlos Dunlap pursued him down 24 yards and took him down (via Sports Illustrated).
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It was certainly purposeful grounding since it went out of bounds three yards short of the line of scrimmage. The officials, on the other hand, viewed it differently and declared it had crossed the line of scrimmage. They enraged everyone needlessly since it plainly didn’t work. Even though there was an official standing two yards away, they managed to get it incorrect. It’s simply another example of the current officiating scenario in the NFL.
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18. Giants vs. 49ers (2002)
Fans in New York were much more depressed than usual when they exited Candlestick Park. They managed to squander a 24-point advantage but clawed their way back into the game. They didn’t account for the officials, who, as usual, made a mess and unnecessarily ruined the game. With 46 seconds left on the clock, the Giants attempted a field goal. They seemed to be on their way to winning the game.
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The Giants, though, mishandled the snap and were unable to kick the ball away. Rich Seubert caught the ball after Matt Allen sent it downfield (via ESPN). Then came the cruel punchline. Even though he had checked in as eligible, the referee marked him as an ineligible receiver. The NFL later admitted their error and apologized. But the damage had been done, and the Giants had been eliminated from the playoffs.
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Bert Emanuel’s Catch is number seventeen.
Fans were comforted by John Madden, who said, “I don’t believe you can take that one away from him.” Bill Carollo and his colleagues, on the other hand, were deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafening Shaun King passed the ball upfield, and Emanuel caught it. The ball touched the ground as the wideout fell to the ground, but he never let go of it. Except for Carollo and co., this made it entirely legitimate in the eyes of everyone watching (via ESPN).
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Because the ball’s tip struck the ground, they unnecessarily agreed that it was an incomplete pass. The Rams then stole the game from the Bucs’ grasp and advanced to the Super Bowl. Emanuel and his comrades were crushed, but there was nothing they could do. The NFL eventually explained the rule, but it was too late for Tampa Bay, who were eliminated from the NFC Championship Game.
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Don Chandler’s Missed Kick, No. 16
To be honest, the Packers were really fortunate to win the Super Bowl in 1965. They did, however, profit from a heinous bit of officiating that would never happen in today’s game. A field goal’s success is instantaneously confirmed thanks to video replays and microchip technology. However, in the past, players had to rely on an official’s decision. Don Chandler’s shoulders sagged as he missed the game-tying kick against the Colts.
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Jim Tunney then signaled for a successful score, much to his surprise. Chandler told the Baltimore Sun in 1999, “I didn’t strike the ball pretty square on the field-goal kick and I was astonished it was declared good.” When I picked up the flight, it was certainly outside the post. The holder, Bart Starr, always said it was within and curled away, yet it was higher than the pipe.” In overtime, the Packers defeated the Ravens.
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Ravens versus. Texans, Week 15 (2019)
After the Ravens thrashed Houston in 2019, DeAndre Hopkins cut a furious figure. But it wasn’t simply the outcome that made him unhappy. He was enraged because Marlon Humphrey had mauled him without retaliation. Hopkins was stopped from making a vital grab by the Baltimore defensive back who hung out with him. Pass interference should have been called.
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However, for some reason, the authorities failed to make the correct decision (via Bleacher Report). Everyone was taken aback and shook their heads in amazement. The Texans then appealed the ruling, which was affirmed. Because it’s so simple to make a mistake, this was far worse than the initial choice. After all, we’re just human. But they had a chance to make amends and inadvertently irritated practically every NFL fan on the planet.
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Cardinals vs. Packers (14). (2010)
Aaron Rodgers and his teammates had a bad day at work because the referee had it in for them. Before the game, they must have whispered something to referee Ron Green. That’s because the official and his crew made several unjustified calls against the Packers. Before knocking the ball out of Rodgers’ hands, Michael Adams pulled on his helmet. Then Arizona’s Karlos Danby scored the game-winning touchdown.
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Despite the blatant offense, the referee chose not to penalize Adams. Bertrand Berry was not reprimanded for a helmet-to-helmet hit on the outstanding quarterback. Meanwhile, on his way to a touchdown, Larry Fitzgerald shoved Charles Woodson out of the way. Officials, on the other hand, did not call for intervention (via New York Times). This was fishy, and someone should have investigated Green’s betting slips before the game.
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13. Browns vs. Vikings (2021)
After this contentious game in 2021, there were murmurings of a possible fix. First, the referees unnecessarily penalized Cleveland. Because there was nothing in it, they fined Eric Kendricks severely for holding. The Browns took advantage of the situation and scored the game’s lone touchdown. But the saga didn’t stop there, since the Vikings were dealt another bad break.
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Greedy Williams, a Browns defensive back, certainly had Adam Thielen in the endzone (via Zone Coverage). Because he had the Cleveland player all over him, the Vikings receiver was unable to make a play for the ball. The referees, for some strange reason, did not make a defensive pass interference call. It was far apparent than their choice against Kendricks, yet they handled the game like blind horses.
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The Snowplow Game is number 12 on the list (1982)
Despite being a farce of a show, this game has become famous. The Dolphins headed to the cold streets of Massachusetts to face the Patriots. However, a snowfall blanketed Foxborough, making the game almost impossible to play. The players trudged through the heavy snow cover, scarcely able to see each other. The game remained scoreless until the Pats were awarded a field goal try late in the fourth quarter.
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But then there was the uproar. The snowplow driver entered the field to make room for kicker John Smith to take his attempt (via L.A. Times). He was successful, and the game ended with New England winning 3-0. Don Shula, the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, was upset because he believed the Patriots had been given an unfair edge. In reality, he requested that the NFL invalidate the game, but he was denied.
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11. Is There A Catch? (2010)
The Detroit Lions are no strangers to tragedy, but they don’t always deserve it. In 2010, they trailed the Chicago Bears and seemed to be on the verge of snatching triumph from the jaws of loss. With 24 seconds remaining on the clock, Shaun Hill blasted a pass into the endzone (via Detroit Free Press). The Lions’ standout wideout Calvin Johnson then sprang to his feet. He grabbed the ball with both hands and landed on the ground on one foot.
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When his other foot struck the ground, he lost possession of the ball. The Lions were euphoric as the referees gave the touchdown. However, they were subsequently subjected to an unnecessarily painful letdown. The officials consulted and determined that the touchdown had not been successfully completed. The Lions eventually lost the game. It took another eight years for the NFL to rewrite the regulations in order to clarify the issue.
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It Was A Catch No. 10 (2015)
In the 2014 Divisional Playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys faced the Green Bay Packers. Because it was all action, this game was quickly becoming a classic. The Cowboys, on the other hand, fell behind in the fourth quarter, trailing 21-26. They didn’t give up, either, and pushed back upfield. Tony Romo connected with Dez Bryant on a spectacular ball that the receiver deftly carried into the endzone (via Fox News).
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Everyone but the bureaucrats believed this. The refs couldn’t agree and spoiled the game unnecessarily. They claimed Bryant lost control of the ball before flinging it to the ground. Despite the fact that everyone, including the opponents, believed he had scored a flawless touchdown. It was a huge blunder, but the Packers were able to hold on and win the game. Then they fell in the NFC Championship Game against the Seahawks.
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9. Super Bowl XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
If there was a competition to see who could play the shadiest single game in NFL history, this would be a strong contender. Because of the several questionable rulings in favor of the Steelers, Super Bowl XL will go down in history as a very contentious event. Mike Holmgren may have done something to the referee before the game, but the officials were on the Seahawks’ side.
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After a fair fight for the ball against Chris Hope, they unnecessarily called Darrell Jackson for offensive pass interference (via Bleacher Report). A single poor call is aggravating, but a series of them is exasperating. Even though Ben Roethlisberger’s helmet crossed the line but not the ball, he was given a touchdown. There were a few of other choices that had Seahawks supporters gnash their teeth in wrath.
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The Fail Mary is number eight (2012)
From start to finish, this was a fiasco because the authorities were just not up to the task. When the NFL referees went on strike, the league had to replace them with a group of inexperienced substitutes. However, there was a significant quality difference, and it was evident that the new referees were not up to the job. When the Seahawks faced the Packers in the NFC Divisional Round, it all came to a head (via NBC Sports).
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With eight seconds remaining in the game, the Packers lead 12-7, but the game was far from over. Then Russell Wilson threw a Hail Mary pass into the endzone. Golden Tate and Packers safety M.D. Jennings both leapt to capture it. Anyone who was watching saw Jennings intercept the pass. The refs, however, disagreed and gave Tate the touchdown. But, at the very least, it put a stop to the referee strike, right?
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7. Harassment of the Passer (2018)
In 2018, the NFL sought to improve quarterback safety by enacting new roughing the passer regulations. The initial implementation of this new system, however, was a catastrophe. This was due to the authorities’ inconsistency in their decision-making. It also had a psychological impact on defensive players and may have resulted in injuries. Over the first three weeks of the season, officials averaged 11 roughing penalties (Sports Illustrated).
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They often raised the flag unnecessarily in order to comply with the new interpretation of the regulations. When he sacked Raiders quarterback David Carr, Dolphins defensive end William Hayes tore his ACL because he didn’t want to put his whole weight on him. He believed that the new rule benefited the quarterback excessively. The roughing fines were lessened over time, but the first few weeks were a mess.
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6. Steelers vs. Oilers (1980)
Only because replay wasn’t accessible at the time, does this one not rank higher on our list. However, it resulted in the departure of a whole franchise from their city. Bud Adams was dead set on getting the Oilers out of Houston, but this was the last nail in the coffin. In the AFC Championship game, they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike Renfro should have scored a touchdown, but the referees called it out for no reason (via SBNation).
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QB Dan Pastorini connected with Renfro late in the fourth quarter before the receiver slipped out of bounds. It was an incredible catch since he kept both feet in bounds before falling out. Unfortunately for Renfro, the referee did not see it that way and ruled against him. This was six years before the NFL’s video replay system was introduced. It cost the Oilers a Super Bowl berth and their identity in the end.
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5. Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans (2020)
The Bills were nearly beaten by Houston in the AFC Wildcard Game in 2020, but Buffalo felt angry. They were well aware that the referee had made a blunder that had flipped the game on its head. In overtime, the Bills were facing a third-and-nine situation when referees penalized Cody Ford. He was wrongly cited for an unlawful blindside block, despite the fact that he had done nothing wrong. Josh Allen, the Bills’ quarterback, had scrambled for four yards in the meantime.
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The Bills may have been robbed by the referees, but games are won by razor-thin margins. What might have been a 56-yard field goal try for the Texans turned into a victory. In a training film released in 2021, NFL Senior VP of Officiating Training and Development Walt Anderson stated that the call was incorrect (via New York Post). However, Ford should be informed of this since he was fined $28,000 by the NFL.
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4. Tampa Bay vs. Dallas (2021)
The start to the 2021 season for ‘America’s Team’ was promising, but it might have been much better. In Week One, they faced the defending Super Bowl winners and were competitive throughout the game. In fact, they should have had a chance to win had the referees not blown a key call on a third-down play. Lavonte David of the Buccaneers should have intercepted a ball thrown by Dak Prescott. Then David, in a fit of wrath, slammed his helmet down.
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Dallas was justified in believing that they should be penalized for unsportsmanlike behaviour. However, it never arrived. The Bucs won the game by two points after Antonio Brown scored a touchdown. Because the referee’s ineptitude was so clear, it was a frightening exhibition of stupidity. Unfortunately, the Cowboys paid the price for the NFL’s incompetence (via SBNation).
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Tuck Rule No. 3
Because it started a dynasty, this is one of the most famous games in NFL history. On a snowy day in Foxborough, the Patriots took on the Raiders. The circumstances were so terrible that the Raiders’ white outfits were hardly visible on the field. The divisional playoff game in which Oakland was leading went into the fourth quarter with a twist on the horizon. In the fourth quarter, Tom Brady gained possession but fumbled (via WBUR).
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The Patriots, on the other hand, used the little-known Tuck Rule. Brady had pulled the ball back into his body and was in a throwing process when Charles Woodson struck him, thus the referee judged it wasn’t a fumble. Because of the Patriots’ propensity for cheating, this was a moment that garnered infamy over time. The Tuck Rule was repealed by the NFL owners in 2013 because it was causing unnecessary debate.
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2. Baltimore vs. Detroit (2021)
For a squad like Detroit, every victory is crucial. The Lions were in bad shape heading into 2021, yet they couldn’t seem to get a break. This was brought to a head against the Baltimore Ravens, when officials unnecessarily jeopardized their chances of winning. After taking a snap that looked to occur after time had elapsed, Lamar Jackson threw an incomplete throw. Then Justin Tucker strolled onto the field to score the game-winning 66-yard field goal, which set an NFL record.
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The Lions were crushed because they fought valiantly. They were so close to winning their first game of the season, but it was taken from them. Dan Campbell, the head coach, expressed his dissatisfaction with the NFL. He told the Detroit Free Press, “There’s nothing I can say since it’s the same thing.” “You’ll receive an apology tomorrow, and it won’t mean anything.” That’s life, and we’ve been dealt a bad hand.”
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1. No call in the NFC Championship Game between the Saints and the Rams (2019)
One of the most severe officiating mistakes in NFL history occurred during this game. In the NFC Championship game, the Saints faced the Los Angeles Rams. Because the teams were within touching distance of each other in the fourth quarter, the stakes were high. Then, with his helmet hitting Tommylee Revis, Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman took the lead. Everyone was expecting a banner that never arrived (via Bleacher Report).
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With just two minutes remaining, the Saints had a 23-20 lead and would have been able to finish the game. The Rams, on the other hand, recovered control. With a field goal, they forced overtime before winning the game with a second kick. The NFL later conceded that the officials had made a mistake. The Rams were then defeated by the Patriots in a rout. New Orleans’ wounds were worse by the fact that they may have played a better game than the Patriots.
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