There are bound to be numerous missed or questionable calls in an NFL game, but there was one roughing the passer call on Josh Allen in the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants Sunday Night Football game that's stirring plenty of controversy.
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During the second quarter of the game, the Bills had the ball. Quarterback Josh Allen was outside the pocket and prepared to throw as Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke came in after the quarterback.
As you'll see in the clip below, Okereke touches Allen's arms before the quarterback falls to the turf.
This might be the worst roughing the passer call so far this season. pic.twitter.com/kuzrdgTaqW
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 16, 2023
"This might be the worst roughing the passer call so far this season." The 33rd Teams's Ari Meirv said.
In the clip, broadcaster Chris Collinsworth asks rules analyst Terry McAulay to comment on the play.
"Chris, I'm gonna tell ya, it's not a foul," McAulay said.
Collinsworth said, "Thank you," after McAulay confirmed his thought.
After this play, Allen went into the medical tent for a couple of plays. As you can see, his throwing shoulder hit the turf, but by all accounts, this wasn't an illegal hit. It appears it was mostly just the force from Okereke touching Allen's arm as he was off balance.
This got the attention of fans and from a former player who may know a thing or two about hitting quarterbacks—former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals edge rusher J.J. Watt.
Lack of accountability for refs is infuriating for players because they don’t receive the same leniency.
Players get flagged, fined & can potentially win/lose games on erroneous calls.
Refs get “corrected” privately after the fact and “may” lose out on postseason opportunities. https://t.co/6BMvM4N7wZ
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 16, 2023
"Lack of accountability for refs is infuriating for players because they don't receive the same leniency," Watt said.
"Players get flagged, fined & can potentially win/lose games on erroneous calls. Refs get "corrected" privately after the fact and "may" lose out on postseason opportunities," the former three-time Defensive Player of the Year said.
Allen had X-rays on his shoulder, but will be OK, it seems.
"Looks normal so far," Bills head coach Sean McDermott said.
The Bills now look ahead to a road matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 7, while the Giants look to improve to 2-5 at home against the Washington Commanders.
