Controversial Roughing the Passer Call in Chiefs-Raiders Game Goes Viral

The Chiefs thought they had a sack and a fumble, but the referees had other ideas.

Another day, another controversial roughing the passer penalty.

After Sunday’s late-game flag that extended Tampa Bay’s drive and helped the Buccaneers seal a 21–15 win over the Falcons, officials found themselves in the middle of more controversy at the end of the first half in Monday night’s Chiefs-Raiders game.

With Las Vegas holding a 17–7 lead with under two minutes to play in the second quarter, Kansas City’s Chris Jones sacked Derek Carr, ripping the ball away before Carr even hit the turf. Jones landed on top of Carr, which prompted the officiating crew to issue a roughing the passer penalty and give possession back to Las Vegas. The Raiders increased their lead to 20–7 four plays later on a 50-yard field goal by Dan Carlson.

Arrowhead Stadium was LOUD after this call

(via @TSN_Sports) pic.twitter.com/4kBt2jcAut

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 11, 2022

Chiefs fans at Arrowhead Stadium were furious about the call, and their frustration was reflected by others who voiced their displeasure with the flag on Twitter. A similar response came after the call in the Bucs-Falcons game on Sunday. When asked about the play afterward, Brady responded simply, “I don’t throw the flags.”

With Monday night’s game the central sporting event of the night, there was no shortage of people firing off their thoughts on the play. Here are some of the best of the bunch:

Chris Jones just became the first player in NFL history called for roughing the passer while holding the ball.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2022

The NFL has announced a new rule that when a defensive player tackles the QB it is automatically roughing the passer.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 11, 2022

Please stop showing the replay of the roughing the passer @espn. Too violent! Not good.

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 11, 2022

There is a happy medium between recklessly allowing a QB to play four days after a significant concussion, and calling every QB hit roughing the passer.

The NFL needs to find that middle ground ASAP.

— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) October 11, 2022

One of the best defensive plays of the year, not roughing the passer pic.twitter.com/InPmfdpFHu

— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) October 11, 2022

Me: That roughing the passer call on Grady Jarrett is the worst I’ve ever seen.

MNF officials: pic.twitter.com/gToESwbcMl

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 11, 2022

Brady watching Derek Carr get the roughing the passer penalty pic.twitter.com/7HaTwqKAx2

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) October 11, 2022

This is not football anymore. I know we have to protect the QB but Chris Jones was recovering a fumble. We have gotten ridiculous with this.

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) October 11, 2022

It’s official after that trash call on Chris Jones 🤣🤣.

— Jeff Saturday (@SaturdayJeff) October 11, 2022