A former longtime NFL referee turned football analyst questioned a flag thrown against the Buffalo Bills in their season-opening win against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Bills eventually won the contest, 34-28, but in the moment it was looking grim early.
The Cardinals held at 17-3 lead at one point and on their first drive eventually scored. On one play in particular, Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray rushed the ball and slid. He was hit by Bills cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram who appeared to be slowing so he would not draw a penalty.
Ingram was flagged anyway and with that improved field position, the Cards turned it into a touchdown.
It was not just fans in Buffalo that thought the call was poor.
NFL rules expert Gene Steratore from CBS Sports did as well. The former longtime NFL referee gave his opinion on the call and he did not agree, either.
His reaction and a replay of the questionable sequence can be found below:
Player-safety rules can put defenders in a difficult position where they have to adjust in nanoseconds. This play in #ARIvsBUF is a good example of a defender adjusting to not hit a defenseless player and should not have been flagged. pic.twitter.com/GJGesLANT3
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) September 8, 2024
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