After a 20-20 tie with the New York Giants, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera pointed to miss opportunities for his team. However, the Commanders may also want to point out some missed penalties by the referees. That included a significant no-call on what appeared to be pass interference on a pass from Taylor Heinicke to wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin and former Washington teammates Fabian Moreau were matched against each other on a 3rd down in the second quarter. Heinicke’s pass was behind McLaurin. However, Moreau made contact multiple times as McLaurin tried to fight back to the ball near the goal line.
Standing near the goal line, the referee initially threw a flag for pass interference. But after convening together, the officials picked up the flag. Instead of first and goal near the end zone, the Commanders faced 4th and 10 from the 24-yard line. Washington settled for a 42-yard field goal by kicker Joey Slye.
Washington took a 13-10 lead. But the possession could have yielded four more points had the penalty been called. The Giants responded on the ensuing possession with a game-tying field goal before halftime.
“It didn’t really feel like a lot, but after seeing that, that’s at least illegal contact,” McLaurin said, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “But you can’t really worry about the calls. You’re gonna win some. You’re gonna lose some.”
Moreau appeared to have part of McLaurin’s jersey. Then Moreau made contact with McLaurin before making an attempt to play the ball.
Understandably Moreau was a bit handsy, McLaurin beat him for a 19-yard touchdown in the first quarter en route to eight catches for 105 yards.
The missed points by the no-call were looming as both teams played to a tie. The Commanders had other chances late in the game. Still, that’s a large no-call by the referees, especially considering defensive backs have gotten flagged for less contact.
