Coming into Sunday’s matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens, most fans expected the game to be perhaps the highest level of quarterback play we have seen in any game all season long. But unfortunately, CBS color analyst Tony Romo doesn’t believe that the officials in Sunday’s game have been good enough at protecting the two MVP candidates.
In the second quarter, Lamar Jackson scrambled for a first down before getting out of bounds, But after getting a few steps out of bounds, he was taken down by Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver, which got the Ravens sidelines very upset and calling for a penalty to be called.
Immediately after Jackson was taken down, both Jim Nantz and Tony Romo shared their shared opinion that a flag should have come for a late hit.
“Jackson fakes the throw and takes off for about 11,” said Nantz. “That might have been a little late, Ed Oliver. And they are letting it be known on that sideline that they don’t appreciate that. But no flag.”
“I mean, I feel like that was late,” added Romo. ” He’s too precious, you can’t allow that to happen. If he goes down, that changes everything real fast.”
Meanwhile, CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore seemingly understood the no-call, claiming that the officials were simply letting Oliver “finish the tackle” he believes had started before Jackson got out of bounds.
“I see Oliver that grabs him right before he’s out of bounds… They’re allowing him to finish the tackle there, as opposed to a hit that happens or is initiated after he’s out of bounds.” – Gene Steratore
“I feel like that was late.” – Tony Romo
“I do too.” – Jim Nantz #NFL pic.twitter.com/MlD92LefHI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 20, 2025
When you watch a replay of the tackle, it actually becomes quite evident that the officials may have missed a penalty for a hip drop tackle as well, which the league has made it a point to try and remove from the game.
When you look at how Jackson’s legs got caught underneath Oliver on the tackle, it could certainly have ended far worse for Jackson. Luckily, Jackson didn’t appear to be injured following the play.
Regardless, Romo outlined the situation perfectly. If the Ravens had lost Jackson to an injury from this uncalled tackle where there appeared to be two penalties that could have been called, it would have been a very bad look on this officiating crew. Not to mention how much of a devastating blow it would be to the Ravens’ chances of winning the game.
The missed call only looks worse when you compare it to how Saturday’s Divisional Round matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans was officiated, which has been highly scrutinized on the complete opposite side of the spectrum.
That game featured several highly questionable calls on hits to Patrick Mahomes where the officials were perhaps too willing to protect the star quarterback. In Sunday’s game, they did nothing of the sort for Jackson. So clearly, there is a lack of continuity in terms of how certain situations are being officiated this postseason.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.