NFL Reassigns Officiating Crew After Controversial Performance Draws Tom Brady's Ire
A Week 7 game marked by numerous penalties and disputed calls has led to the crew being moved from a primetime slot.
An NFL officiating crew, led by referee Alex Moore, has been reassigned from a scheduled primetime game following a penalty-filled Week 7 contest that drew sharp criticism from players, coaches, and commentators, including former NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
Moore's crew worked a game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers that the Lions won 20-17. The game was characterized by a high number of flags, many of which were disputed. As a result of the controversy, the crew has been moved from the upcoming Sunday Night Football matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders. They will now officiate the game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins.
During the broadcast of the Lions-Packers game, Brady, now a commentator for Fox, expressed frustration with several calls. "You can't keep tacking on 15 yards," Brady said, reacting to a roughing the passer penalty called on Packers defensive tackle Karl Brooks late in the fourth quarter. Fox rules analyst Dean Blandino, formerly the NFL's vice president of officiating, agreed with Brady, stating the tackle was "teach-tape tackle" and not roughing the passer.
Brady and Blandino also questioned a third-quarter roughing the passer penalty on Packers defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. Additionally, they disagreed with a delayed intentional grounding call on Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Brady argued that the pass was thrown in the direction of tight end Tucker Kraft. Blandino concurred, calling the flag "crazy."
Moore, speaking to a pool reporter after the game, explained the intentional grounding call, stating that for a pass thrown outside the tackle box to avoid the penalty, it must reach the intended receiver's location if it doesn't cross the line of scrimmage. Blandino maintained that the pass did not meet this criterion.
Another play that drew scrutiny was an unnecessary roughness penalty called on Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt for tackling Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown after the play appeared to be dead. Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated that no whistle was heard before Wyatt made the tackle. Moore told reporters that while he couldn't confirm hearing a whistle, the officiating crew ruled the play dead and considered Wyatt's action to be forceful contact after the whistle.
