2018

Following the controversial non-call during the 2018 NFC Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams, the NFL acknowledged the officiating error. Saints head coach Sean Payton reported that after the game, NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Al Riveron admitted to him in a phone call that the officials “blew the call.” This sentiment was later echoed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who acknowledged the missed call in a press conference. Additionally, the league fined Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman $26,739 for the hit, further indicating that a penalty should have been called during the game

2024

Recent NFL playoff games involving the Kansas City Chiefs have sparked controversy over officiating decisions perceived as favoring the team. In the AFC Divisional Round against the Houston Texans, a critical roughing the passer penalty was called on Texans’ edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. after what appeared to be a clean hit on Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This penalty extended a Chiefs’ drive that might have otherwise ended, leading to criticism from players and fans. Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans commented, “We knew going into this game that it was us versus everybody… And I mean everybody.”