The NFL fans and former players alike had major issues with Saturday afternoon's game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The referees and missed calls became more of a talking point than the actual battle for the division crown.
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The second half of the 16-14 Buccaneers win featured multiple plays that sparked critique. This included a backwards pass from Panthers quarterback to running back Rico Dowdle, who could not corral the ball. He picked it up with room to run, a legal play, but the referees blew the play dead as an incomplete pass.
The sequence did not end there, however, as referee Brad Allen then called this a backward pass that went out of bounds. This was impossible considering that the ball never went out of bounds. Allen credited the Panthers with a 6-yard loss.
Moderately insane chain of events.
Bryce Young throws obvious backward pass to Dowdle, who picks it up with room to run but it’s whistled dead immediately by an official who ruled it a forward pass. Referee Brad Allen then announces it’s a backward pass “that went out of bounds”… pic.twitter.com/csa1XQkUKP
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 3, 2026
The night continued with Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield throwing a pass in the direction of tight end Cade Otton, who fell to the ground. Allen called pass intereference on the Panthers, but replay clearly showed Otton tripping himself while running down the field.
Cade Otton trips and Brad Allen flags the Panthers 😂 pic.twitter.com/6LBZwxyUQF
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) January 3, 2026
Allen's crew also drew criticism for calling offensive pass interference against Panthers receiver Tet McMillan after he shoved cornerback Benjamin Morrison at the line of scrimmage. One of the ESPN analysts then said that McMillan was just fighting through contact as players have been taught throughout their careers.
Another play that drew particular criticism involved Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis and Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble, who remained locked together during a rushing play. Dennis ripped Tremble's helmet off after grabbing the facemask and threw it to the ground. He did not draw a penalty for this.
Bucs rip the helmet right off of a Panthers player with no flag… pic.twitter.com/Jx4UUtiO0n
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 3, 2026
"Refs vs the Panthers tonight: Rico Dowdle indavertent whistle- loss of 6 yards and loss of down," one fan wrote on X. "Tommy Tremble no call facemask- no 15 yards and no first down (missed a 54 yarder).
"Tet McMillan 'OPI' - negates a 30 yard completion and loss of 10 yards Cade Otton 'PI' spot foul and auto 1st down in FG range 9 point swing at minimum. IT IS 2026 MAN."
Many other people weighed in about the officiating during the second half of the Panthers-Buccaneers game. Some said Rams receiver Puka Nacua was correct, referencing his past criticism of NFL referees. These comments drew fines from the NFL.
Are yall seeing the refs or am i tripping❔
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 3, 2026
Other fans and even some NASCAR drivers weighed in while watching this game. Many people voiced conspiracy theories that the NFL had rigged this game so that Sunday's battle between the Falcons and Saints would have more meaning.
With the Buccaneers winning, the winner of the Falcons-Saints tilt will determine the winner of the NFC South. If the Falcons win, the Panthers win the division. If the Saints win, the Buccaneers win the division.
Former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Kurt Benkert had many comments about the referees while live-posting about the game. He specifically said that these must be the replacement referees.
