Refs’ blown call almost cost Saints their first win of 2025
Carl Granderson was called for the worst roughing the passing call I've seen in recent memory, and the New Orleans Saints are lucky it didn't prove more costly than it was. Granderson quickly brought down Jaxson Dart in what looked like a perfect hit to everybody other than the refs.
Protecting the quarterback is one thing, but if defenders aren’t allowed to do that, it’s time to bring the red non-contact jerseys from practice to live action games. There's already a lot of conversation on whether or not the league is overprotecting the quarterbacks. It's difficult to argue they aren't when you see plays like this called as a penalty.
The play came in the fourth quarter as the Giants were looking to mount a comeback. New York needed two touchdowns with less than two minutes on the clock. While it was a long shot, the flag turned that play from a clutch play by the Saints defense to a potential injection of life to the Giants offense.
Cameron Jordan and Kellen Moore were fuming after penalty on Carl Granderson
The play was simply teach tape from a pass rusher standpoint. There were no notes you could have given Granderson. He quickly shed the block and just ran through Dart. Granderson didn't dip his head on contact. He put his chest to Dart's back and wrapped his arms around the shoulders. As Dart went to the ground, Granderson let him go to not land with his weight on the quarterback.
Even in live speed, it's hard to see what the officials saw to call roughing the passer. It's a play that left Cameron Jordan and Kellen Moore upset. You could visibly see Moore frustrated on the sidelines after the play. After the game, Moore called the play frustrating because he has no answers to give Granderson. At some point in the week, Moore will certainly be asked if he heard any feedback from the league office.
Jordan didn't hold any words back postgame. He called the penalty erroneous, "ludicrous without explanation" and "egregious on all levels"
The puzzled edge rusher continue with a couple of questions. "As a defensive lineman, what else can we can do? As a defense, you're telling us that we can't do our jobs. So how do we do our jobs then? Please." They're valid questions and responses.
For Granderson, he was among the league leaders in sacks. He's still in a tie for seventh place, which is good, but that sack would have put him at second in the league with 5.5 sacks. It didn't result in the Giants gaining even a sliver of momentum, but it did take a valuable sack away from Granderson.
Buccaneers rookie does something no NFL player in history has ever done
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found a new piece of franchise history in rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Playing his first NFL game near his hometown of Tacoma, Washington, Egbuka delivered a performance for the ages against the Seattle Seahawks.
His breakout day not only helped the Buccaneers’ offense find its rhythm, but also etched his name into the NFL record books.
Egbuka’s Historic Performance
Egbuka became the first player in NFL history to record 25-plus receptions, 400-plus receiving yards and 5-plus touchdowns in his first five career games, according to the Buccaneers. That’s no small feat for a rookie still finding his footing at the professional level.
Against the Seahawks, Egbuka hauled in seven catches for a career-high 163 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown from quarterback Baker Mayfield that electrified Tampa Bay’s sideline. The score came midway through the second quarter and cut into Seattle’s early lead, marking another example of Egbuka’s growing chemistry with Mayfield.
But he wasn’t done yet. On the next drive, Egbuka caught a 57-yard pass that brought the Buccaneers to the Seahawks’ two-yard line, setting up a short touchdown run by Rachaad White. The crowd at Lumen Field may have been full of Seahawks fans, but Egbuka’s return to his home state quickly turned into a celebration of his own.
A Star in the Making for Tampa Bay
Egbuka’s record-breaking start has been one of the biggest stories of Tampa Bay’s young season. The rookie wideout, taken in the first round out of Ohio State, has provided a much-needed spark for an offense missing veteran Mike Evans and recently returning Chris Godwin Jr.
Head coach Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard have praised Egbuka’s versatility and maturity beyond his years. His ability to line up across formations, win on deep routes and make tough catches over the middle has made him a focal point in the Buccaneers’ offense earlier than anyone expected.
As the Buccaneers continue their push in the NFC, Egbuka’s rise could be the difference between good and great. His record-setting start isn’t just an impressive stat line — it’s proof that Tampa Bay may have found its next offensive superstar.
