These are the kinds of moments that aren't helping the NFL and its TV ratings.
if anybody could explain to me how this is roughing the passer I'd love to hear it pic.twitter.com/lOI5fEYKcL— Sam Cooper (@SamDCooper) October 7, 2018
Michael Bennett gets blocked into Kirk Cousins' thighs, doing everything he possibly can to avoid his knees and seriously injure the quarterback and he is flagged for a 15-yard penalty, awarding an automatic first down.
With the way Dan Bailey has been kicking Sunday, this is either a seven- or- four-point swing and it could end up meaning the game.
The fans in Philly are not happy about it either.
Home crowd NOT happy..... pic.twitter.com/HjTLiM2V84— EROCK (@TheMightyEROCK) October 7, 2018
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They're not thrilled online, either.
Bennett wrapped his ankles and he fell in slow motion 😑😑😑— Lifestyle. (@_1rjaymj) October 7, 2018
How was that a personal foul on Michael Bennett? That is crazy.— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) October 7, 2018
Bennett just got flagged for a textbook shoestring tackle, this is out of control #MINvsPHI— Ray Sova (@ray_sova) October 7, 2018
Wow that Michael Bennett call is awful— kris (@_YoungWave) October 7, 2018
According to veteran NFL referee Terry McAulay, it shouldn't have been called.
Should not have been a foul for roughing the passer on Bennett. #MINvsPHI Hit starts high, slides down and wrap-up takedown. No forcible contact to the knee area or below.— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) October 7, 2018
I'm all for player safety, but a play like that, which is important enough to sway the outcome of the game, the season, has to be made properly. If that means allowing a coach to challenge these types of penalties, I would support that.
Ever since the NFL enacted more strict rules in relation to hitting quarterbacks, the problem is not just down to this play, this moment, it's a league-wide issue that has to be resolved or else people will begin to lose interest.