Officiating, as usual, remains an issue in the NFL playoffs, with several games producing more than their share of controversy.
Sunday’s divisional round playoff game between the Ravens and Bills was no exception. Two calls in the first half left fans and players of both teams angry.
The first questionable call came in the first quarter with the score 7-7. Buffalo had the ball near midfield and Josh Allen found Curtis Samuel for an eight-yard gain on second-and-11. But officials whistled left tackle Dion Dawkins for a catch while blocking Ravens passer David Ojabo.
The replay shows Ojabo falling to the ground on the frozen turf in Buffalo and no evidence of a catch.
Alas, the Bills were penalized 10 yards and faced second-and-21 at their own 43-yard line instead of third-and-3 from the Baltimore 39. They punted two downs later after failing to get a first down. The game remained tied at 7-7.
Then, late in the second quarter, the Bills benefited from another controversial call. This tie, officials flagged Baltimore cornerback Tre’Davious White for pass interference on a pass to Keon Coleman. But it was White who was pushed to the ground during the game.
White had man-to-man coverage all the way down the left sideline. The two were hand-to-handling when Allen’s pass landed, and Coleman pushed White to the ground by his helmet. The pass fell incomplete.
With contact initiated by both players, officials could have ruled the play a no-call and moved on to the next down. Or they could have called offensive pass interference to push Coleman. Finding defensive pass interference there is hard to explain.
But defensive pass interference was the call, and the Bills got a first down and an 18-yard gain to the Baltimore 12-yard line from the spot. A non-call would have brought up fourth and five at the 30th and a potential 47-yard field goal attempt in dicey conditions from Justin Tucker.
Instead, the Ravens scored a touchdown three plays later to extend their lead to 21-10.
If there’s any comfort, each team benefited from a controversial call. But better overall refereeing would be the biggest advantage for both teams.
