Inside The Vikings

Watch: Vikings' Pat Jones II Called For Iffy Roughing the Passer Penalty

This call flipped the field and contributed to the Lions getting three points.
Will Ragatz|
Watch: Vikings' Pat Jones II Called For Iffy Roughing the Passer Penalty
Watch: Vikings' Pat Jones II Called For Iffy Roughing the Passer Penalty

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Minnesota Vikings

Vikings outside linebacker Pat Jones II was called for a rather iffy roughing the passer penalty in the second quarter of Sunday's big game against the Lions. It happened on a 2nd and 26, giving the Lions a first down that they eventually turned into a go-ahead field goal.

You be the judge...

It sure looks like Jones avoided making any contact with Jared Goff's helmet or neck area, instead hitting him in the chest. It probably should've been a legal hit, but Goff threw his head back and was able to draw the flag from Land Clark's officiating crew.

Detroit went on to kick a field goal on the possession, going up 10-7 at the time. That happened after a Camryn Bynum 82-yard fumble return touchdown was overturned to an incomplete pass. That call was pretty clearly the right one, but that didn't stop Vikings fans from being frustrated. Much of that frustration was presumably left over from the tough call that went against Jones.

This is just the latest weak roughing the passer call in the NFL; it has proven to be one that refs seem to really struggle to get right. There's been an emphasis placed on protecting quarterbacks by penalizing defenders for high hits to the head or low hits to the knees, so it's unfortunate when Jones does neither and still gets flagged.

Kevin O'Connell was visibly upset after the call.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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