Rodgers Criticizes Referees for Missing Penalty on Lions’ Final Touchdown Play
Rodgers, the standout player for the Minnesota Vikings, has voiced his frustration over the referees’ decision to overlook a potential penalty during the Detroit Lions' final touchdown play in their recent matchup. The controversial moment came when the Lions scored what would be the game-winning touchdown, with many players, including Rodgers, believing the officials missed a critical call that could have changed the outcome of the game.
“It’s hard to watch that play and not feel like the officials missed a clear penalty,” Rodgers said after the game. “There was obvious contact that should’ve been flagged, and it’s frustrating to see it overlooked in such an important moment.”
Rodgers, known for his candid and sometimes fiery comments, pointed out that the missed call on the Lions’ final play significantly impacted the game. He referred to what appeared to be a
“It was clear to everyone watching that the penalty was there,” Rodgers continued. “You can’t miss those kinds of calls, especially in a game where every play counts. It feels like we got robbed of a fair shot because of a missed decision by the officials.”
The play in question was scrutinized by both the Vikings’ coaching staff and the media after the game, with many agreeing that the holding on the Lions' offensive line should have resulted in a penalty. Despite the calls for review, the referees did not flag the play, and the Lions went on to win the game.
Rodgers’ criticism was not just directed at the missed call, but also at the inconsistency he perceives in officiating decisions. “It’s frustrating when these calls seem to happen at the worst possible times,” he said. “We’re all just looking for consistency. We’re out here playing our hearts out, and we want the game to be decided by the players, not by missed calls.”
Despite the disappointment, Rodgers emphasized the need to move forward and focus on future games. “We can’t dwell on it,” he concluded. “We have to keep our heads up and focus on what’s next. But it’s hard to ignore when something like that changes the course of the game.”
As the Vikings regroup and prepare for their next challenge, the debate over the missed penalty will likely remain a topic of conversation among fans and analysts.
Shedeur Sanders Sends Browns Creative Message on QB2 Status
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has been clear that Dillon Gabriel will remain the starting quarterback following the team’s Week 9 bye, saying last week that finding a way to get Shedeur Sanders live game action was not his “focus.”
Sanders has worked his way up from a fifth-round draft pick who started training camp as QB4 into the position of backup QB behind Gabriel. And while some cracks have shown over the year — with Sanders saying earlier in the season that he could play at a higher level than several current starters and adding last week that it wasn’t his decision to go inactive with a back injury ahead of the team’s game against the New England Patriots — the young QB has, for the most part, played the role of good soldier when speaking with the media.
However, Sanders got creative with his messaging upon his return to Boulder, Colorado, over the weekend. Sanders was on the sideline to support his father and former coach Deion Sanders in the Buffaloes game against Arizona.
Shedeur Sanders returns to Colorado to support the squad ❤️
(via @CFBONFOX)
Sanders didn’t speak to media members, though he did don a shirt that read, “The Rejected Will Be Respected” on the back.
The phrase is one that members of the Sanders family, Shedeur and Deion included, have uttered on several occasions. However, it also potentially applies to the exact situation Sanders is navigating with a Browns team still yet unwilling to play him despite a 2-6 start and mediocre to below-average play from Gabriel across four NFL starts.
Dillon Gabriel Has Yet to Truly Impress as Browns Starting QB
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel, a third-round pick out of Oregon, is 1-3 as the starter. He has completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 702 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions in six total appearances this year.
Cleveland benched former starter Joe Flacco for Gabriel ahead of the team’s Week 5 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings in London. Gabriel went 19-of-33 for 190 yards and two scores in a game that the Browns lost in the final seconds with their defense on the field.
That performance prompted a trade of Flacco to the AFC North Division rival Cincinnati Bengals shortly thereafter, which allowed Sanders to ascend to the role of QB2. However, Gabriel has not played that well since and has been a game-managing quarterback for the most part. Analysts like Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com have reported that Cleveland wants to see Gabriel air the football out more and up the level of the passing game, though that has not happened to this point in his tenure as the starter.
Shedeur Sanders Could Get Starting Shot Sooner if Browns, Dillon Gabriel Struggle Against Jets Next Week
GettyQuarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns.
After the off week, the Browns will return to the field to take on the one-win New York Jets in a road contest on November 9. Barring injury, Gabriel is definitely going to start that game. But how he plays and the team’s result could have an impact on where Cleveland goes at the QB position from there.
Based on comments from owner Jimmy Haslam, the team intends to find out what it has in each of its rookie QBs in 2025. That strongly implies that Sanders will eventually get a chance to start.
Should the Browns fall to 2-7 with a loss to one of the worst teams in the league next week, and should Gabriel play poorly, there is a chance that media and fan pressure will force Stefanski’s hand and get Sanders into the game — or at least move him closer to his chance as November rolls along.
