The refs weren’t great to the Vikings on MNF

There were a few calls which seemed obvious that the refs missed in Monday night’s Vikings and Seahawks game.

The Minnesota Vikings did plenty to lose the game in Seattle against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football, but referees around the league continue to miss obvious calls. Even if some of the no calls were called on Monday night, it is likely the Vikings still would have ended up in the loss column. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the NFL’s refs are missing some of the easier calls around the league. 

It has been a struggle for head coaches to win a challenge for pass interference, even if it is blatantly obvious. Although these will be examples from the loss against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football, that doesn’t change the fact that this is happening all around the league. 

Example 1: What is pass interference?

On this play, Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs is clearly interfered with, but there is no flag. With how hard it has been to challenge plays like this since the ruled changed, Mike Zimmer kept the challenge flag in his pocket for a good reason. 

Example 2: What is a false start?

It might be close, but it is clear that Seattle’s left tackle Duane Brown moves before the ball is snapped. There is always a ref watching the line of scrimmage, so it’s hard to believe something like this goes unnoticed. 

Example 3: Is delay of game still a thing?

This is the most self-explanatory of them all, and there is a ref who pays attention to the clock on every play. The clock clearly gets down to 00 before the snap, so it should have been a delay of game. 

Refs have been a topic of discussion after numerous games this year, and there’s always going to be missed calls. The nature of the game will not allow every call to be made correctly, but that doesn’t negate the fact that the obvious calls should be made. 

The Vikings did plenty on their own to shoot themselves in the foot, and the outcome of the game probably wouldn’t have changed based on the missed calls above. However, the simplest of calls continue to get missed by the top referees in the world.