Week 5 observations, 2023

[FredFan7]

Enjoy the games and post officiating observations here.


Jaguars vs. Bills (London) NFLN — Shawn Smith
Ravens at Steelers — Carl Cheffers
Panthers at Lions — Adrian Hill
Texans at Falcons — Shawn Hochuli
Saints at Patriots — Alex Kemp
Giants at Dolphins — Ron Torbert 150th GAME AS A REFEREE
Titans at Colts — Brad Rogers
Bengals at Cardinals — Clay Martin
Eagles at Rams — Bill Vinovich
Chiefs at Vikings — Land Clark
Jets at Broncos — John Hussey
Cowboys at 49ers NBC — Alan Eck

[zebrablog]

Substitutions

• Willard to Novak (CHI-WAS/TNF)
• Leblanc to Smith (JAX-BUF/London)
• Mapp to Hill (CAR-DET)
• Bilbo to Hussey (NYJ-DEN)
• Stritesky to Eck (DAL-SF/SNF)
• Lambert (RO) to Martin (CIN-AZ)

[zebrablog]

This one deserves the scorched earth response.....

On a second quarter punt by the Giants, a Dolphins player is attempting to get to the sideline but does not get there before the snap, drawing a flag.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel tries to plead his case to the officials that there is no foul, but is unsuccessful. He challenges the call, and he is successful in getting a reversal.

The player exiting the field was one of the 11 players, and in confusion, ran off the field thinking he was the 12th player. Line judge Maia Chaka threw the flag, which is understandable, as she counts the offensive players, and is only ruling that the player didn't reach the sideline. The deep officials -- field judge Ryan Dickson, side judge Keith Washington, and back judge Tony Josselyn -- must count the defense. It is incumbent upon them to inform Chaka that the exiting player is irrelevant so she can pick up the flag. This did not happen, which means that the 3 deep officials did not do their job and count the Dolphins players.

This is basic bookkeeping to count the players, and to have a coach burn a challenge to fix it is inexcusable and embarrassing.

[FredFan7]

The Steelers TJ Watt sacks the quarterback, sealing the win for Pittsburgh.


In his excitement, Watt took off his helmet to celebrate the win. It is an unsportsmanlike conduct foul on Watt for removing the helmet on the field of play.


On a failed fourth down, the offense cannot keep the ball if the defense is flagged for a dead ball foul. So, on a play like this, the ball goes over on downs to the Steelers, the officials mark off 15-yards and the chains are set first and 10 (the only time it would be first and 25 would be if the foul happens after the ready for play signal).

[FredFan7]

Nice job by Carl Cheffers and Brandon Cruse calling this closer-than-it-looks block punt safety.

[FredFan7]

Photo Album:

www.footballzebras.com/2023/10/week-5-photo-album-2023/