NFL officials feel the brunt of fans as Kansas City Chiefs get benefit of multiple penalties in win against Baltimore Ravens.
Football fans tear into NFL officials after a series of questionable one-sided penalties (Image via Imago/X)
Football fans wait for almost seven months for their favorite league to resume. With defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs playing the Baltimore Ravens, fans were hyped at the possibility of an exciting matchup. It did somewhat live up to the billing right until the dying seconds. But keen-eyed fans noticed an anomaly which allegedly had an impact on the result.
The game started off with a headache for broadcasters as well as fans. The reason being that the referees blew their whistle all too often in trying to enforce an issue they faced last year, offensive linemen lining up offside. But in trying to enforce fairness, they flagged Baltimore Ravens star left tackle Ronnie Stanley three times in the first half alone. One of those penalties negated a massive pass interference flag against the Chiefs.
What fans had a problem with was that Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor was not flagged even once. Even though he repeated his opening day 2023 issues again last night, fans and those watching could see clearly that Taylor lined up offside repeatedly. But the referees did not notice it once. The Chiefs got away with it and continued to pile the pressure on the Ravens.
That lack of penalties almost made up the fine difference between winning and losing. It was not as if the Kansas City Chiefs were running away with a win. Rather, an inch beyond the end zone was the reason the game did not swing the other way. But it would not have come to that had the Ravens benefited from at least one penalty on Taylor.
Fans rip into NFL officials after one-side penalties
Fans know how penalties can ruin a game. They also know that unfair penalties can have consequences on the outcome of a game and possibly a season. The NFL is still facing the brunt of possibly helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl last season. They are trying their best to fix these mistakes and produce a fair product for everyone to enjoy. This lapse in officiating is not going to help.
Fans, former players and analysts knew the officials had messed it up. They took to social media to vent their frustrations. Check some of those examples below;
It would be good for the sport if the NFL took matters into their own hands and worked with officials. These lapses may end up becoming detrimental to their interests in expanding their reach to new fans.
