NFL officials in Patriots vs. Texans are flag-happy to New England's detriment
As if the Patriots defense racking up flags like it was actually their goal on Sunday, the phantom calls might be even worse. It has given the Texans multiple opportunities to extend drives, especially on third down.
But the New England offense has also fallen victim to head-scratching officiating, which isn't helping their chances whatsoever in Week 6.
The defensive pass interference on Marte Mapu on what would be a touchdown drive made no sense, as Dalton Schultz wasn't even the intended receiver and the safety was within the allotted five yards.
Then Vederian Lowe was flagged as an ineligible man downfield when he was actually where he was supposed to be on the offensive line, pushing Drake Maye and the offense further back on the rookie's second drive.
I swear, the refs at the Patriots game do not know the rules. First, a defense pass interference on a player who wasn’t the intended receiver, then an ineligible man downfield who is engaged in a block. As bad as the Patriots have been, the refs might have been worse
— Pat Lane (@plane_pats) October 13, 2024
It has resulted in the Patriots totaling six penalties in just the first half, with plenty of time remaining until the second quarter is over.
If they keep up this for the rest of the game, it's a recipe for disaster. It's clear they're not getting any benefit of the doubt from the officials, and even if it's not a welcomed thing to blame the referees, they don't appear to be working fairly. The Patriots cannot make the situation worse by setting themselves further back with avoidable mistakes.
UPDATE:
The Patriots just received their seventh penalty of the day on a great punt return by Marcus Jones, setting them further back for Maye's third series with five minutes left until halftime.
Last week, they recorded 12 penalties accepted against the Dolphins and look well on their way to matching or exceeding that against the Texans.
The Patriots are averaging a penalty every 7.3 plays, or every 3-and-a-half minutes, so far this game.
— Bernd Buchmasser (@BerndBuchmasser) October 13, 2024
Besides the officials being flag-happy, the coaching staff and roster being undisciplined also raise concerns. Many of these flags are avoidable, careless mistakes that never would have happened under Bill Belichick.
Something needs to change and fast because this is not the way to play football.
UPDATE:
The refs are flag happy except when they should be.
So, a missed facemask on the first play of the half, and no call for landing with the bodyweight on the QB on the second?
— Matt St. Jean (@mattstdream) October 13, 2024
Missed face mask by the officials#Patriots #Texans pic.twitter.com/jfzXrDXMhL
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) October 13, 2024
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