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During Sunday's game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, Tom Brady was sacked on a huge third down. It would have forced the Buccaneers to punt from about midfield with less than three minutes remaining.
The Falcons would have had the chance to drive down the field and go for a game-winning touchdown. They trailed by six at that point. However, what appeared to be a normal and game-changing sack was then upended by a flag.
Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett was flagged for the hit on Brady after it appeared they were getting off the field.
NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe did not mince words when criticizing the call. On Twitter, the former tight end described it as the worst call of the season.
"Jerome Boger the referee in the Bucs [game]. Just made the worst call of this early NFL season. NFL will need to offer an explanation on this BULLJIVE call. That was a text book sack and it was penalized. Falcons got hosed."
The Falcons lost a golden opportunity to win a key divisional game and get into first place in the NFC South. There's no guarantee they would have been able to move the ball and score, but they were robbed of that opportunity. All because of a very questionable call.
Referee mistakes are part of the game. That was clear when the Los Angeles Rams didn't get a flag for obvious defensive pass interference against the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs a few years ago.
It's tough to swallow for Falcons fans or fans of fair, good football games. A call that drastically altered and may have potentially cost Atlanta the win.
Will referees be held accountable for their poor calls around Tom Brady?
After the game, Boger was asked about the controversial call. He said Jarrett unnecessarily threw Brady to the ground.
“What I had was the defender grabbed the quarterback while he was still in the pocket, and unnecessarily throwing him to the ground. That is what I was making my decision based upon.”
He maintains that he made the correct call. It's unlikely the league will disagree to such an extent that they punish the referee who's been with them since 2004. Roughing calls are based on judgment, so there is always an element of human error in throwing flags. It's a bad look all around, but a fee or a firing remains very unlikely.
The Atlanta Falcons certainly owe Tom Brady a crazy comeback, but they were cruelly denied an opportunity here.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit NFL.com and H/T Sportskeeda.
