By popular demand, we’re again going to have a post after each game that breaks down some of the controversial decisions from the officiating crew in the game.
Penalty Count
Saints 3-30 (leading to one Jets first down)
Jets 7-54 (leading to zero Saints first downs)
Note: This does not include penalties that are declined or off-set.
Plays where the call was obvious, uncontroversial or not visible on broadcast footage
Jets Penalties
- Austin McNamara landing zone violation. An inexplicably bad kickoff that bounced at the 28 – nowhere near the landing zone – so New Orleans got the ball at the 40.
- Cam Jones holding on a Jets punt. Must have been up the field, perhaps as someone tried to block the punt, but this was not visible on the broadcast footage.
- Isaiah Williams false start. Clearly flinched before going in motion.
- Jeremy Ruckert illegal shift. This was a mess. Williams went in motion then, as he was coming to a stop, he signalled to John Metchie to move closer to create a stacked release. What should have happened then is that they settle for one second and then Ruckert can be moving at the snap. However, Ruckert started moving before Metchie had even stopped moving.
Saints Penalties
- Alontae Taylor personal foul. Smacked Ruckert in the back of the head after a post-play altercation. This was the only Saints penalty in the first three quarters.
- Jonah Williams illegal hands to the face on a Jets kickoff return. This was hard to see on the broadcast footage as Jones was blocking him.
- Torricelli Simpkins holding on Will McDonald. A very clear grab across the throat/chest as McDonald went around him on the outside and it negated a touchdown.
Penalties warranting further discussion or explanation
Jets Penalties
- John Simpson chop block on a successful quarterback sneak. A true drive-killer, Simpson seemed to want to fire off the line but had nobody in front of him so he just fell forwards and another lineman, who was engaged with Olu Fashanu, fell over his prone body. Even though Simpson didn’t directly initiate this contact, it’s still considered a block below the waist while the defensive player is engaged with a blocker and is an automatic 15 yards every time.
- Simpson offensive holding. His 11th penalty and he didn’t like the call but it looked pretty obvious as he initially had control of his man but then dragged him down after he leveraged off the block.
- Ruckert holding to negate a first down run by Breece Hall. Classic case of the run being bounced outside and, as soon as it does, the defender has outside leverage and the blocker hangs on for a beat too long.
Saints Penalties
- None.
Notable no-calls etc
Here were some of the other notable missed calls, replay situations and controversial moments:
- There was arguably early contact on Taysom Hill by Malachi Moore on an incomplete throw.
- The play before the quarterback sneak was correctly ruled short of the marker as Evan Hull’s knee was down.
- Jarius Monroe was lucky not to be hit with a personal foul as he tripped a punt returner who was already out of bounds.
- Hall looked to be short on a first down run but did reach out to get to the marker before his knee hit.
- Braiden McGregor could also have been called for a late hit out of bounds as he threw the ball carrier down while “in the white”.
- Olave’s fumble was probably too close to overturn but could easily have been a turnover and the “expert” even said it should have been. Interestingly, the call on the field (fumble) was changed by the replay assist (no fumble) but it’s the latter decision that needs to be clear evidence to be overturned. This doesn’t seem fair. Even so, it’s notable that the official specifically stated that the replay booth’s decision was that his forearm was down before the ball came loose rather than a “call stands”. That seemed incorrect because it looked like the ball was out, whereas a statement of call stands because they can’t find indisputable evidence to overturn it would have been more acceptable.
Let us know what we missed – or misinterpreted – in the comments…