The Washington Commanders have a bone or two to settle with the officials after their 20-12 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.
The Commanders needed a touchdown and a two-point conversion to send the game into overtime with a minute remaining and found themselves on the Giants’ doorstep when a scramble from quarterback Taylor Heinicke gave them the 3rd-and-goal at the 1-yard line.
Commanders running back Brian Robinson appeared to score the necessary touchdown on the next play until he was recalled for an illegal formation penalty on wide receiver Terry McLaurin. The Pro Bowl passcatcher did not line up close enough to the line of scrimmage, wiping the score off the books.
However, a subsequent replay appeared to show McLaurin asking the linesman if he was set up correctly and twice adjusting his position. The player confirmed this after the game.
Heinicke was outraged after the game allegedly and said, “He’s giving Terry the thumbs up, what the hell is that?” Referee John Hussey told a pool reporter that McLaurin had to be set up in front of the center belt line, which he wasn’t, and said an official doesn’t usually have to tell a player whether or not he’s legally positioned.
Somehow that might not have been the worst of it.
An incomplete pass later, the Commanders had a 4th-and-goal from the 6-yard line. Heinicke danced in the pocket for a few seconds and then aimed wide receiver Curtis Samuel in the end zone for a potential touchdown.
The pass fell incomplete after some, well, let’s call it aggressive defense for now from Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes. Upon further examination, however, it became clear that Holmes was much more than just aggressive while covering for Samuel. He was basically pretending to be his opponent’s backpack.
Many on social media were quick to call the game a miss-pass interference penalty by the referees. Unfortunately for the Commanders, there wasn’t much they could do from there other than watch as the Giants knelt in front of the clock and took a dominant position in a tight playoff race.
The story goes on
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera wasn’t too happy about the situation after the game. Maybe smart, he declined to share his incoming thoughts with reporters about the game management:
“Don’t ask me about refereeing because I can’t answer the question.”
Of course, the commanders lost for more reasons than just the official, something Heinicke noticed. The team struggled to protect him for most of the game, particularly on a fumble return touchdown from Kayvon Thibodeaux. But it’s hard to believe the team should have had two different chances at a game-winning two-point conversion, and that’s never a fun way to lose.
Terry McLaurin thought he had his best foot forward. In the end, it cost the Commanders a massive touchdown against the Giants. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)