The referees
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 24: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots reacts towards referee Alex Kemp #55 during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Personally, I hate pinning the outcome of a game on the officials. I believe that ultimately bad calls tend to even out, whether it be within a game, from game-to-game, or maybe even the course of multiple seasons. Ball don’t lie.
Still, sometimes there’s a game that is officiated so atrociously, it just has to be discussed. My rule of thumb is I allow myself one sporting event total each calendar year to blame on officials. Unfortunately I already used up that game for 2022 on
Get the hell out of here that’s on the floor! That’s as clear a shooting foul as there is. Holiday held his arms down.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) May 7, 2022?s=20&t=pHtCEmI7Rsw_v9C94I1CQw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Celtics and Bucks – but now I’m thinking that declaration may have been premature.
Alex Kemp’s crew came in calling more penalties this year than any other crew in the NFL to this point. But it wasn’t the volume of the calls that was the issue (they actually called two less than their per game average for the season) but the inconsistency.
This was no more apparent than on a key fourth-quarter drive for the Patriots, their first possession after falling behind 33-26. On the final third down of that drive, there were multiple easily apparent penalties including
refs have been EGREGIOUS tonight pic.twitter.com/RFBRq54Q8b
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball)
November 25, 2022?s=20&t=ypxtoNttCgHW0E2eQMetxA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jones getting his facemask grabbed and
“I just think their feet tangled.”
“They did.”
Well *I* just think Patriots fans are going to be mad tonight. pic.twitter.com/fM8cwGqaVk
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley)
November 25, 2022?s=20&t=ypxtoNttCgHW0E2eQMetxA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Henry seemingly getting interfered with down the field.
There was also
Officials missed a hold on Kyle Dugger on that kick-return touchdown. pic.twitter.com/SEQEUYHZAV
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox)
November 25, 2022?s=20&t=ypxtoNttCgHW0E2eQMetxA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a missed holding call on the Vikings kickoff return touchdown.
Kyle Dugger clearly gets held at the point of attack.
Finally, there was the questionable overturning of an apparent Henry touchdown in the third quarter. You can find more on that play here.
Ultimately, the Patriots will tell you they need to control what they can control, and not let the game get to a point where the officials can make or break it for them. While that is true, they certainly has less margin for error than usual on Thursday.