Ferrari and BMW lose GT manufacturer points from Daytona

BMW and Ferrari have lost all their IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Endurance Cup manufacturers points from the Rolex 24 At Daytona for the GTD PRO and GTD classes. Both manufacturers were found to have performance in excess of …

BMW and Ferrari have lost all their IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Endurance Cup manufacturers points from the Rolex 24 At Daytona for the GTD PRO and GTD classes. Both manufacturers were found to have performance in excess of IMSA’s expectations. That includes the GTD PRO victory points for Ferrari (Risi Competizione) and third-place points for BMW (Paul Miller Racing). Ferrari had a best finish of second in GTD with AF Corse.

According to the penalty notice for Ferrari: “The IMSA Technical Committee and the IMSA supervisory officials have unanimously determined that Ferrari’s demonstrated performance in the Daytona 24-hour race exceeded IMSA’s expectations as shared in the GT Manufacturers Technical Working Groups. The goal was to ensure the demonstrated performance of the best example of each manufacturer’s car model would be within a targeted performance window — allowing for competitive equivalency.” The notice for BMW read similarly.

IMSA adopted revised GTD Balance of Performance procedures this year for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, with each manufacturer nominating a team and driver to carry out testing during the IMSA homologation test in December. Each had to go through a series of prescribed tests, including qualifying simulation and a full-stint simulation, in order to better hit the marks for the BoP tables. IMSA set the BoP tables for the Roar Before the 24 based on those tests, and further revised BoP ahed of the race weekend.

Last year, teams running several new cars found themselves without much shot at victory, including the BMW M4 GT3 and Ferrari 296 GT3, as well as the 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R and the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2. All found their fortunes greatly turned around for 2024, and Risi Competizione captured the GTD PRO victory with Daniel Serra, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Davide Rigon and James Calado.

The penalties for the manufacturers, which also included a $25,000 fine, do not affect the drivers or team standings, and all will keep their finishes and points.

Rory McIlroy assessed two-shot penalty for improper drop at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

McIlroy was 6 under thru 14 holes before the sloppy finish.

At one point Thursday, Rory McIlroy held the lead alone during the first round of the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, at day’s end, his score is going to be a bit worse than it could have been thanks to a penalty.

Before signing his scorecard, McIlroy was assessed a two-shot penalty for an improper drop on the par-5 seventh hole at Spyglass Hill. McIlroy’s drive was wayward on the hole, and he had to take an unplayable. Where he dropped it was determined to be illegal, so what he thought was a bogey 6 turned into a triple bogey 8.

PGA Tour rules official Mark Dusbabek joined the Golf Channel telecast and said McIlroy “totally owned the mistake” when it was brought to his attention in the scoring area.

The rule states a ball can roll up to a club length, whereas McIlroy dropped his ball a club length to the right off the original line, which is where the penalty came from.

“So I took an unplayable on 7 and I took it back on line,” McIlroy said after his round. “Then unbeknownst to me the rule changed in January 2023 where you used to be able to come back on line, take a club length either side. That was changed in 2019 to be able to do that. I wasn’t aware that that rule was changed again in 2023, so I took a drop thinking of the 2019 rules when everything was sort of changed not knowing that the rule was changed again in 2023, so got a two-stroke penalty there.”

McIlroy was 6 under thru 14 holes, then he went bogey-triple-bogey and signed for a 1-under 71 at Spyglass Hill.

It’s his first PGA Tour start this season. The last time he teed it up, he won the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour.

NFL assigns one of it’s flag-happiest referee crews to pivotal Saints-Bucs game

The NFL assigned one of its flag-happiest referees to Week 17’s pivotal Saints-Bucs game. Land Clark’s crew averages the second-most penalties per game:

The NFL assigned one of its flag-happiest referees to Week 17’s pivotal game between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Land Clark’s crew averages the second-most penalty markers per game (13) with 106 fouls going against visitors and just 89 drawn by home teams. That’s a tough break for the Saints as they travel to Raymond James Stadium for what could be an elimination game in their fleeting playoff hopes.

Clark’s crew has been on hand for three Saints games since he was promoted to referee a few years ago; New Orleans is 1-2 in those matchups, most recently losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this season. The Saints were only fouled three times for 34 yards that evening while the Jaguars drew five penalties for a loss of 42 yards, but it didn’t make much difference in that 31-24 loss.

Like most officials, Clark’s crew is vigilant for offensive holding fouls (2.47 per game) and false starts (2.33), but they have also called teams for a lot of unnecessary roughness penalties (1.13). Both New Orleans (5.9 penalties per game) and Tampa Bay (6.1) have drawn their share of infractions this season, so each squad needs to be on its toes. The Saints will be eliminated from the NFC South title race with a loss, so their margin for error is razor-thin. Hopefully head coach Dennis Allen and his staff are preparing the team appropriately.

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‘He said I could have done something’: Cowboys’ Parsons bewildered over roughing penalty

From @ToddBrock24f7: Micah Parsons had plenty to say about officiating after he was flagged for what he feels was a clean hit on Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa.

In Micah Parsons’s mind, he did all the right things, but it still wasn’t enough.

That could actually be the story of the Cowboys defense as a whole on Sunday. As a unit, they held the explosive Dolphins to just one play of over 22 yards. No Miami player rushed for more than 46 yards on the day. Dallas allowed just one touchdown to the league’s top scoring offense.

But it was the little things that doomed the Cowboys. Like five Jason Sanders field goals. And penalties- some big-ticket calls at key moments, some ignored calls that could have gone Dallas’s way, and one head-scratcher against Parsons that he couldn’t adequately explain afterward.

“I don’t know what a roughing the passer is anymore,” Parsons told reporters after the 22-20 loss on Sunday. “[The official] said I could have done something in some manner to avoid him.”

Parsons delivered a hard shot to the back of Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa late in the second quarter that drew the flag. Already deep in Cowboys territory, the flag moved the Fins just five yards closer, and Miami scored on the next play to secure a halftime lead.

While the Dolphins’ lone touchdown could have just as easily come from the nine-yard-line as it did the four, the roughing call got into the head of Parsons, who’s been desperate the get officials’ attention on the numerous plays this season where he’s held by opposing linemen.

“I can’t get a call, but I get things called on me,” he said. “So obviously, they’re looking. They just don’t care what they call… as long as it’s just not with us.”

That last quip could earn Parsons a fine from the league, but the fact remains that he hasn’t drawn a penalty of any kind since Week 9’s win over the Chargers. That’s over two months where the most dominant pass rusher in the league hasn’t been held a single time? Cowboys fans watching the games know otherwise.

So does Parsons.

“It’s mind-blowing, the things that are getting called and the positions we get put in,” he said. “The thing is, we’ve just got to learn how to fight the adversity. A lot of it’s BS, and we’re like, ‘It’s just football plays,’ but it’s the world we live in. We’ve got the star on the helmet.”

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Parsons’s roughing penalty wasn’t a game-changer, as were some of the other flags called against Dallas on the day. But this one haunted the young pass rusher who prides himself on being able to beat anyone in the league without resorting to rule-breaking.

“I won so quick. How am I supposed to know he got the ball out? It’s within a second,” Parsons explained at his locker.

“He said my intent was to punish the quarterback. But how am I trying to punish him if I’m just trying to sack him? It’s not like it’s a late hit. It’s not like I’m leaving my feet. I didn’t lead with my head. I don’t know how you make that call.”

But they did. And Parsons believes they’ll continue to do so.

And that’s something he and his Cowboys teammates will simply have to overcome.

“At the end of the day,” he said, “we’ve just got to win these type of games.”

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NFL fans criticize penalty on Saints: ‘End of the NFL as we know it’

NFL fans on social media criticized this baffling penalty against the Saints: ‘End of the NFL as we know it’

Sheesh. New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor made a solid head-up tackle on New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger to get his defense off the field on third down, but it wasn’t meant to be — instead, referee Carl Cheffers’ officiating crew threw a penalty flag and said Taylor was committed unnecessary roughness by tackling Bellinger on the play.

It was a brutal penalty, and it’s tough to see what Taylor did that warranted the foul. But the play resulted in a big gain for the Giants, who drove downfield to kick a 40-yard field goal before halftime.

And fans weren’t happy. Neither were the Saints, with head coach Dennis Allen haranguing Cheffers and his crew through the next commercial break. Here’s what fans, media in attendance, former players and viewers on social media had to say about the play:

Chiefs HC Andy Reid preaches the importance of working with referees

#Chiefs head coach Andy Reid preached the importance of working with the NFL’s referees during a team press conference on Monday.

The Kansas City Chiefs have had a nightmare morning after the controversial finish to Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The comments following the game were emotional from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid concerning the officiating.

Reid addressed his comments from Sunday night regarding the referees calling the offsides penalty and more during his Monday Zoom press conference.

“I know what I said about the officials yesterday or insinuated about the officials,” Reid explained. “There are no excuses for this; that’s not what I’m saying. I’ve always had a good working relationship with these guys. And that’s the important part. So they know when they tell me something with a guy that I’m gonna go address with a guy like right now. And make sure that it gets changed when you’re talking about inches, you know, those types of things. And those those happen in the game.”

The NFL is reportedly investigating the comments from Reid and Mahomes during their post-game press conferences, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time. So this isn’t an excuse or a blame on the officials for blowing the game. That’s not what it is. But it’s a working relationship,” said Reid. “That part is so important in this thing. And so because you can see it on both sides, whether it’s a defensive end lining up in the neutral zone at times, or that you give the head coach a heads up, and then in our case, we tell them. Listen, you were warned. And so that’s how it’s worked over the years. That’s what I was really trying to get across.”

The Chiefs could face disciplinary action from the league if they deem their comments unprofessional towards the officials. The events of Sunday night could be a turning point in either direction for the defending champions as the season winds down.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says late penalty vs. Bills took away from Travis Kelce’s greatness

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says the late game penalty against the #Bills took away from Travis Kelce’s greatness.

The conclusion of the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the Buffalo Bills will be discussed for years after another controversial penalty helped determine the outcome of the game. A memorable play featuring Travis Kelce and Kadarius Toney was wiped away with a shocking offensive offsides call that made quarterback Patrick Mahomes irate.

Mahomes didn’t hold back his frustration on the field and during his postgame press conference. He wanted everyone, including the league itself, to know that the play not only cost the Chiefs a comeback opportunity but erased an unforgettable moment from the record books.

“It is obviously tough to swallow,” Mahomes explained. “I mean, not only for me but just for football in general, I mean, to just take away greatness like that. I mean, for a guy like Travis (Kelce) to make a play like that. And who knows if we win. As fans, you want to see the guys in the field decide the game.”

Kelce finished Sunday’s loss with six catches for 83 yards, but many will leave this game with the potential of how things would be if his lateral did indeed count for the Chiefs to win.

“That’s why last week, I didn’t say anything about the flag that didn’t get called on him, Marquez (Valdes-Scantling),” Mahomes continued. “I mean, they’re human; they make mistakes. Every week, we’re talking about something, and all I can do is go out there and give everything I have. And I’m proud of the guys. That’s what we did. And it was a great football game that ended like that. It’s tough to swallow.”

The Chiefs’ loss hurt their chances at the top overall seed in the AFC with four games remaining, as they are now forced to focus on their dwindling lead in the AFC West. The Denver Broncos have quickly moved to within a game of Kansas City in the division as the teams split their season series.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes lambasts officials after controversial penalty vs. Bills

#Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was none too pleased with the controversial penalty in Kansas City’s loss to the #Bills

The Kansas City Chiefs were handed a crushing defeat for the second consecutive week, falling in the final minutes to the Buffalo Bills with more controversy regarding the officiating. A shocking offside penalty on wide receiver Kadarius Toney erased an incredible lateral play from Travis Kelce that would have given the team a go-ahead touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium.

Patrick Mahomes was visibly emotional and upset with the officials as the game ended. He didn’t mince words about the controversial penalty during the postgame press conference.

“It’s the call, and just in that moment, I mean, it’s not even for me; I know how much everybody puts into this game,” Mahomes said. “For it to happen, for a flag to change the outcome of the game. And that moment, I mean, I’ve played seven years and never had had offensive offsides called. [You learn] that [in] elementary school. We talked about pointing to the ref, all that different type of stuff, and … they warn you.

“There was no warning throughout the entire game. And then you wait; there’s a minute left in the game to make a call like that. It’s tough, man. I’m at a loss for words because regardless of whether we win or lose, just at the end of the day, another game, and we’re talking about the refs, Not what we really want in the NFL for football.”

 

The penalty not only cost the Chiefs a touchdown, it knocked them further back from field goal range. Mahomes’ next three passes fell incomplete to end the comeback attempt.

“I mean, that’s the thing is, I [would] rather they let us play, man, like let us play the game,” Mahomes continued. “Then, whatever happens happens, like throwing the flag and deciding the game one or another. That’s what hurts you. That’s why I’d like last week.

“I didn’t say anything because it’s letting us play, man, let us go out there and win the game, I’d rather they let us play and go out there and see who wins. That’s what you want as competitors. You practice all week and go out there and try to win, and you want it to be about your team and that team and see what happens. You never want to be talking about the stuff after the game.”

Twitter reacts to Chiefs’ brutal loss to Bills in Week 14

Users on Twitter had some feelings about the #Chiefs’ brutal loss to the #Bills in Week 14.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Buffalo Bills in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday after a late touchdown was nullified by a rarely-called offensive offside penalty on wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

While the controversial call by the referees was a huge part of Chiefs Kingdom’s angst after the game, Kansas City’s performance against Buffalo was frustrating to watch in its entirety. Without Isiah Pacheco in the backfield, the Chiefs offense looked listless, and an early interception thrown by Patrick Mahomes gave the Bills momentum as early as the first quarter.

Fans posted about Kansas City’s disconcerting showing on social media after the game and made their feelings about the loss clear. Some used humor to cope with the Chiefs’ defeat, while others were a bit more direct with their anger about Kansas City’s latest collapse.

Check out some of Twitter’s best reactions to the brutal Week 14 game against Buffalo below:

Twitter reacts to insane Chiefs touchdown reversed by controversial penalty on Kadarius Toney

Twitter was buzzing after this penalty by #Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney reversed an insane touchdown orchestrated by Travis Kelce.

The Kansas City Chiefs nearly pulled off one of the most insane comebacks of the 2023 season before a penalty reversed a touchdown by wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

The improbable play occurred late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Patrick Mahomes hit tight end Travis Kelce deep downfield on a crucial drive with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Kelce darted upfield and lateraled the ball to Toney, who was completely uncovered near the left boundary.

The wide receiver caught the pitch and scampered into the end zone, but an offensive offside infraction by Toney at the line of scrimmage caused the score to be reversed.

Kansas City was unable to recover from the five-yard penalty and eventually turned the ball over on downs to seal the victory for Buffalo.

Fans around the NFL took to Twitter to express their displeasure with the referee’s decision to enforce the rarely-called penalty in such a consequential situation.

Check out some of their top reactions to the controversial call below: