Commanders dispute penalties, called and missed, in loss to Giants

LANDOVER, Md. — A sport with main playoff implications led to controversy because the Washington Commanders disputed one penalty that worn out a landing and argued for a go interference name on a fourth-down throw into the top zone within the remaining minute of a 20-12 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday night time.

The Giants (8-5-1) maintain a commanding lead for the sixth playoff spot, whereas Washington (7-6-1) stays within the seventh and remaining spot however now faces a more durable highway to clinch a berth with solely a half-game lead over the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions.

The Commanders have been upset with an unlawful formation penalty on extensive receiver Terry McLaurin that nullified a 1-yard Brian Robinson landing run with 1:03 remaining.

Two performs later, Washington mentioned wideout Curtis Samuel was interfered with on a fourth-down throw in the long run zone. No name was made.

“Do not ask me concerning the refereeing,” Washington coach Ron Rivera mentioned in his postgame information convention. “I can not reply the query.”

Washington additionally was upset with an offensive go interference penalty that worn out a 2-point conversion within the third quarter. However the remaining sequence stood out as a result of Washington was out of possibilities.

McLaurin was upset as a result of he mentioned he did not line up in another way than he had at different occasions within the sport.

On the replay, the official on that aspect motioned to McLaurin that he ought to transfer up. McLaurin scooted up.

“After I moved up, I checked to see if I used to be good, and he mentioned I used to be good,” McLaurin mentioned. “I am not making an attempt to get fined. We had different alternatives; for it to return down like that’s powerful.”

McLaurin may very well be seen giving a thumbs-up signal to the official. He mentioned he heard the official say he was OK. However he additionally mentioned he cannot go away it as much as the officers.

“It is irritating as a result of I delight myself on being attentive to element,” McLaurin mentioned. “With the sport on the road, you do not wish to make a mistake to harm your crew. I wished to verify I used to be good, and I felt I used to be together with his affirmation. I take possession, and I’ve to verify it is not shut, but it surely’s type of powerful. Typically your helmet is leaning over, they usually might name offsides.”

Referee John Hussey mentioned he didn’t see any trade between McLaurin and the official earlier than the snap.

“What I used to be informed and what has been confirmed is that the ball was snapped on the half-yard line, and he was lined up a yard again on the 1½-yard line,” Hussey informed a pool reporter. “With a purpose to be deemed authorized, he wants to interrupt the beltline, the waist of the middle, and he was not breaking the waistline of the middle. That is why the penalty was referred to as, as a result of he was not in a authorized formation.”

Two performs later, on fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line, quarterback Taylor Heinicke scrambled round then lofted a go to Samuel in the midst of the top zone. Nook Darnay Holmes was behind Samuel.

Heinicke mentioned, “Oh yeah,” when requested if he thought go interference ought to have been referred to as.

“The dude has his arm round his neck,” Heinicke mentioned, including that the Commanders cannot blame officers for the loss.

“I can not management that,” Samuel added. “All I can do is attempt to make the play when the ball is within the air. I am not a ref; ain’t nothing I can do about that.”

As Hussey defined it, “Move interference is a judgment name. To the officers, it did not rise to what they felt was a restriction, thus they did not name it.”

The Giants had a unique perspective on what basically amounted to the game-ending play. It allowed them to flee the essential contest with a win and put their odds on making the postseason at 90%.

“It was a very good play,” Giants coach Brian Daboll mentioned calmly. ” play.”

Holmes was noncommittal on if it was interference. He had already been referred to as for a holding earlier within the sport, and he leads the Giants after having been flagged eight occasions already this season.

“I did not even watch the play but. I simply know the ball was damaged up. We will see as soon as I watch movie however, hey, the refs have eyes,” Holmes mentioned. “They will name what they will name. We simply reside with their name. There are some performs I want they did not name, and there are some performs I knew I did one thing, they usually name it.

“Finish of the day, refs make the calls, and we rock with it.”