The Washington Commanders won their fourth consecutive game Sunday, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 to clinch a playoff berth. Quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders on a last-second game-winning drive for the second week in a row.
However, something hangs over Washington’s performance in the last three games: NFL officiating. The Commanders are dealing with mounting injuries and multiple questionable officiating calls. Let’s not forget the mistake officials made in the win over New Orleans in Week 15 by not keeping the clock moving and essentially allowing the Saints a free play to try to win the game. The NFL acknowledged the terrible mistake.
Last week, the Commanders were called for six penalties for 93 yards. Three of them were defensive pass interference penalties on cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Two were called on the same drive, essentially giving the Eagles a touchdown. Former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman weighed in on those calls.
In the win over the Falcons, Washington was penalized 13 times for 108 yards. In some fairness to officials, several of the calls against the Commanders were correct. Mike Sainristil’s neutral-zone infraction that cost Washington four points was the right call.
However, two holding penalties against right guard Sam Cosmi were highly questionable. Even NBC questioned the penalties, especially the first one, during the broadcast.
On Monday, former NFL offensive lineman Will Montgomery, a 10-year veteran who spent six seasons with Washington, took to X to call the second holding penalty against Cosmi, a “BS holding call.”
Here’s Montgomery’s post:
If this is a hold then every play in football is a hold. Offensive Lineman are taught to get hands inside and keep the defender in front of you. The offensive lineman needs to let go once the defender is outside the framework of the blocker. Here the defender is inside the… pic.twitter.com/b2blgk5rJC
— Will Montgomery (@WillMontyNFL) December 30, 2024
Montgomery provides some excellent details here. It’s important to note that the first holding call was essentially exactly the same scenario.
Ben Standig of The Athletic, via David Aldridge, noted how Sunday night’s officiating crew was No. 1 in defensive holding calls and No. 2 in offensive holding calls.
Per @davidaldridgedc: This referee crew, led by Alex Kemp, entered Week 16 ranked No. 2 in offensive holding calls and No. 1 in defensive holding.
(Looks at tonight’s game log).
Checks out.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 30, 2024
NFL officiating impacts every game and every team. Unfortunately, the NFL, with its record ratings and profits, does not see it as an issue. Over the last two games, Washington’s opponents have also been hit with questionable calls. Fortunately for the Commanders, they didn’t lose any of these games.