Video: Inadvertent Whistle Before Joe Burrow's TD Pass vs. Raiders Sparks Controversy
Jan 15, 2022
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws while being pressured by Las Vegas Raiders' Maxx Crosby (98) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals entered halftime of Saturday's AFC Wild Card game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium with a 20-13 lead, but not without a little controversy.
On a third-and-four toward the end of the first half, Burrow scrambled out of the pocket, rushed toward the sideline, and somehow found Tyler Boyd for a 10-yard touchdown pass. It was an incredible play, but a controversial one as an inadvertent whistle was blown while the ball was in the air.
Per the NFL rule book, the play should have been blown dead because of the whistle. Instead, the officials ruled a touchdown, and the Bengals went up 20-6.
"when an official sounds the whistle erroneously while the ball is still in play, the ball becomes dead immediately" pic.twitter.com/bN2VeH1r7m
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the league isn't commenting on the play. NBC's rules expert Terry McAulay noted the play shouldn't have resulted in a touchdown by rule.
The NFL isn't commenting on the #Bengals' controversial touchdown, deferring to NBC's rules expert Terry McAulay, who noted the call can't be fixed in replay.
Said McAulay: "They can't have a touchdown on that play, by rule."
After the game, it was revealed the referees determined the whistle came after the receiver caught the ball, per NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson.
Many were quick to share their reactions to the play, in the moment, on social media, including Raiders guard Denzelle Good and several other NFL players.
Did they not blow that TD play dead?? That replay was delayed af 🗣🗣🗣🗣
Although I’m cheering for the bengals…it isn’t fair to the raiders to hear a whistle, assume the play is dead, and then be told they just gave up a touchdown…if they lose by less than 7 this is gonna be talked about like the saints vs rams nfcc back in 2018
Mistake on a mistake. Yes it should have been a replay. No question. But the whistle was so late it didn’t affect the play. If people want to cry about it that’s their business
The Bengals are looking for their first playoff victory in 31 years.
NFL OROY 2022 Odds: Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase Jumps Mac Jones After 3 TD-Game vs. Chiefs
Jan 3, 2022
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase did more than help the Cincinnati Bengals clinch the AFC North title with Sunday's 34-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
He also became the favorite to take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
DraftKings Sportsbook provided updated odds Monday, and Chase is listed at -225 (bet $100 to win $44.44). New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is now listed at +175 (bet $100 to win $175).
Quarterbacks often take home individual awards, but the two players and teams have trended in opposite directions of late.
Cincinnati has won three straight and will host at least one playoff game after clinching the division. New England has lost two of three and is in wild-card position after falling behind the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
Chase, who has 79 catches for 1,429 yards and 13 touchdowns on the campaign, was unstoppable against the Chiefs with 11 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Kansas City often left him in single coverage, and Joe Burrow didn't hesitate to unleash throws downfield and let the receiver make plays.
The performance moved Chase into the record books:
As for Jones, he stands out compared to his fellow rookie signal-callers and has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,540 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
While there is no doubt his situation with the Patriots was better suited for immediate success than that of Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars), Zach Wilson (New York Jets) and Justin Fields (Chicago Bears), he has taken full advantage of it and played New England into the postseason picture.
Still, he had four interceptions during a two-game losing streak prior to helping his team defeat the lowly Jaguars on Sunday. He also attempted a mere three passes during a win against the Bills right before the two-game losing streak that dropped the Patriots out of first place in the AFC East.
The Offensive Rookie of the Year now seems to be Chase's to lose, and another dominant performance in the Week 18 matchup with the Cleveland Browns would clinch it.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 02: Ja'Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at Paul Brown Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
It appears the Cincinnati Bengals made the right choice with the No. 5 pick of the 2021 NFL draft.
Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase helped lead his team to a 34-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the AFC North title Sunday. He also made league history in the process, as ESPN's Field Yates pointed out:
Chase was unstoppable against Kansas City's secondary and finished with 11 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Burrow, who just so happened to be the one throwing to Chase and Justin Jefferson at LSU as the Tigers won the national championship during the 2019 campaign, finished with 446 passing yards.
It was the second straight week he threw for four touchdowns after he also torched the Baltimore Ravens for 525 yards and four scores in Cincinnati's previous win.
The quarterback is also making history in Cincinnati:
For the record... @JoeyB: * 34 TD'S (TEAM RECORD) * 4,611 YARDS (TEAM RECORD)@Real10jayy__: * 1,429 YARDS (NFL ROOKIE RECORD) * 13 TD'S (MOST BY NFL ROOKIE SINCE 1998) * 266 YARDS TODAY (NFL ROOKIE RECORD/TEAM RECORD)
The Bengals are sitting in the No. 3 spot in the AFC standings and may just play their way all the way to the Super Bowl if their quarterback and wide receiver keep playing at such an elevated level.
Bengals' Joe Burrow Says He Feels 'Good Enough' After Knee Injury Scare vs. Chiefs
Jan 2, 2022
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow downplayed his injury after getting hurt in the final minute of Sunday's 34-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs:
"We knew we could do it going into the season... It's a great day for us, a great day for our fans and a great day for our city."
"Good enough," Burrow responded when asked how he was feeling.
The quarterback suffered an apparent knee injury on his team's 4th-and-goal attempt from the 1-yard line. After a penalty led to a first down, backup Brandon Allen came on to take a knee and spike the ball on consecutive plays to set up the game-winning field goal.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said after the game that Burrow "just got his knee twisted up."
Burrow has dealt with a variety of issues this season, including a dislocated pinky suffered in the Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He remained in the game despite the injury and told reporters he wouldn't miss any time, saying it was "something I’ll have to deal with."
The 25-year-old also went to hospital after the Week 5 game against the Green Bay Packers with a potential throat contusion, but he was cleared by doctors.
These problems come after Burrow suffered a torn ACL last season, which ended his year after 11 games. He spent the entire offseason rehabbing before returning in time for Week 1.
The LSU product has proved to be a top player when healthy, totaling 34 passing touchdowns through 16 games this season.
Considering the Bengals clinched the AFC North title with the Week 17 win, Burrow will have an opportunity to rest next week to keep him fresh for the playoffs.
Joe Burrow, Bengals Clinch 1st AFC North Title Since 2015 with Win over Chiefs
Jan 2, 2022
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates a 41-21 win over the Baltimore Ravens after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
The Cincinnati Bengals are back in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Cincinnati clinched the AFC North title following a 34-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
The arrival of quarterback Joe Burrow and the hiring of head coach Zac Taylor signaled a new era for the Bengals. The franchise stagnated toward the end of his tenure, but Marvin Lewis undoubtedly raised the bar during his 16 years on the sideline.
Unfortunately for fans, 2020 became a lost season the moment Burrow suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. The parallels to Carson Palmer's knee injury in the 2005 season were all too real.
Burrow returned and has shown why he was the No. 1 overall pick coming out of LSU. The second-year signal-caller has thrown for 4,611 yards, 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
He and former Tigers teammate Ja'Marr Chase have formed a particularly potent duo. Chase's 1,429 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns are first on the team.
Not to be outdone, Joe Mixon and Tee Higgins have been critical figures on offense as well. Mixon is among the NFL's leaders in rushing yards (1,205), while Higgins has hauled in 74 passes for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns.
Joe Burrow (25): 4,165 yards
Joe Mixon (25): 1,159 yards
Ja'Marr Chase (21): 1,163 yards
Tee Higgins (22): 1,029 yards
The Bengals are the first team in NFL history to have a 4,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 2 1,000-yard receivers all 25 or younger in the same season. pic.twitter.com/esaVoV50YV
As much as Cincinnati's electric offense grabs the headlines, a revamped defense might be the biggest reason the team stands a good chance of winning its first postseason game since 1990.
In 2020, the Bengals allowed 389.2 yards and 26.5 points per game, finishing 27th in defensive efficiency at Football Outsiders. The team responded by signing Trey Hendrickson, Chidobe Awuzie, Larry Ogunjobi, Eli Apple and Mike Hilton.
Hendrickson punched his ticket to his first Pro Bowl thanks to a career-high 14 sacks, more than filling the void left by Carl Lawson's departure. Ogunjobi (seven sacks) has also provided steady pass-rushing from the interior.
Awuzie has been the standout performer in the secondary, registering two interceptions and 14 pass breakups.
Relatively speaking, the Bengals are still a bit of a long shot to win Super Bowl LVI. They're +2800 (bet $100 to win $2,800) at DraftKings Sportsbook, the 11th-best championship moneyline.
But the fanbase isn't expecting a title. Taylor earning the playoff win that eluded Lewis would qualify as a success. And what Cincy has achieved to this point has laid the groundwork for 2022 and beyond.
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Bengals' Joe Burrow Compared to 'Young Tom Brady' by Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo
Dec 30, 2021
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs on Nov 21, 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo isn't making the mistake of downplaying Joe Burrow's talents.
Ahead of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Spagnuolo told reporters that in Burrow he sees "a young Tom Brady."
Ahead of a Week 16 matchup against Cincinnati, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale contrasted game-planning against Burrow and Aaron Rodgers. He said Rodgers was a future Hall of Famer, but that "I don't think we're ready to buy a gold jacket for Joe yet."
The second-year quarterback responded by throwing for 525 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-21 win. After the game, Burrow alluded to how Martindale gave him a little added motivation:
Joe Burrow acknowledging he saw the #Ravens DC Wink Martindale’s comment about Burrow not being of the quality of Aaron Rodgers to deserve the type of game plan the Ravens gave the Packers, said it might have been on his mind when dropping 500 yards today pic.twitter.com/aJVAudEwMU
It was another outstanding performance from the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, who has thrown for 4,165 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 69.9 percent of his passes this season.
Whether intentional or not, Spagnuolo isn't making the same mistake as Martindale. By favorably comparing Burrow to the greatest of all time, maybe the 25-year-old becomes so flattered he can't bring himself to shred the Chiefs secondary.
The Bengals are a five-point underdog at DraftKings Sportsbook despite playing at home in Week 17. That says less about Cincinnati and more about Kansas City, which is riding an eight-game winning streak and looking like the best team in the NFL.
In 2003, the Bengals earned an upset over the previously unbeaten Chiefs, a result that symbolized a turning point for the franchise under head coach Marvin Lewis.
Taking down Kansas City this time around could have the same effect because the future is once again bright in Southwest Ohio with Burrow at the helm.
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Joe Burrow: Ravens DC's HOF Comments May Have Been on My Mind During 525-Yard Game
Dec 26, 2021
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow celebrates as he leaves the field following an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Before Sunday's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said the combination of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase didn't deserve the same type of defense as Green Bay Packers duo Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams.
Martindale said: "Adams is one of the top two receivers in the league and he's not No. 2. Aaron Rodgers is a Hall of Fame QB, and I don't think we're ready to buy a gold jacket for Joe."
After a 41-21 win over the Ravens, Burrow told reporters he was aware of Martindale's comments and said it may have been on his mind while passing for more than 500 yards.
"I didn't think it was a necessary comment," Burrow said. "I wouldn't say I was offended by it. I mean, I'm in year two. Who knows what's going to happen down the road."
Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson also had some choice words following Burrow's big performance.
Trey Hendrickson on Joe Burrow: “I wouldn’t go around pissing that guy off.”
Sunday's game was arguably the best of Burrow's young career. It was his first game with 500-plus passing yards and four passing touchdowns. He finished 37-of-46 for 525 yards and four scores, in addition to two carries for 11 yards.
As for Chase, he finished the afternoon with seven catches for 125 yards. Cincinnati's best receiver was Tee Higgins, who finished with 12 catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
In a 31-30 loss to the Packers last weekend, the Ravens triple-teamed Adams on some plays and forced him into some different routes. He was held to just six catches for 44 yards and a touchdown, and it was his least productive game since a Week 9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, when he caught just six passes for 42 yards.
At times on Sunday, the Ravens did double- and triple-team Chase, but that didn't stop Burrow from putting together a monster performance. To be fair, the Bengals do have a much more versatile receiving group than the Packers. Entering Sunday, Cincinnati had three receivers (Chase, Higgins, Tyler Boyd) with at least 700 yards on the season. The Packers had just one in Adams.
Burrow also torched the Ravens back in October, throwing for 416 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-17 win. That's now arguably the second-best performance of his career.
Entering Sunday, only four quarterbacks had thrown for more than 400 yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens in a single game: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Eli Manning. That puts Burrow in some pretty elite company.
The Bengals moved to 9-6 on the season with the win, while the Ravens dropped to 8-7. This is the first time since the 2015 season that Cincinnati has beaten Baltimore in both meetings.
The Bengals now have a 77 percent chance to make the playoffs, while the Ravens have a 33 percent chance.
Joe Burrow, Bengals Beat Josh Johnson, Ravens with Lamar Jackson Out Injured
Dec 26, 2021
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
The Cincinnati Bengals took advantage of the short-handed Baltimore Ravens on their way to a 41-21 Week 16 win.
Joe Burrow set career highs with 525 passing yards and four touchdowns to carry the Bengals (9-6) to a dominant divisional win at Paul Brown Stadium.
Cincinnati scored 31 points in the first half and kept the pressure on throughout the game to break the 40-point barrier against Baltimore for the second time this season.
The Bengals didn't punt once and finished with 575 total yards of offense.
The Ravens (8-7) were without Lamar Jackson because of an ankle injury, while backup quarterback Tyler Huntley was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. It left Josh Johnson in charge of the offense less than two weeks after he joined the team.
Johnson did his part with two touchdown passes, but he couldn't keep up with the Bengals' near unstoppable offense as the Ravens suffered their fourth straight loss.
Notable Performances
Joe Burrow, QB, CIN: 37-of-46, 525 passing yards, 4 TDs
Joe Mixon, RB, CIN: 18 carries, 65 rushing yards, 6 catches, 70 receiving yards, 2 total TDs
Higgins and Chase have been impressive at different times this year, but this was the first time both young receivers topped 100 receiving yards in the same game.
Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins have unreal chemistry, add in Ja’Marr Chase and you’ve got a top-10 QB with arguably the best WR tandem in the NFL
It made things extremely easy for Burrow, who simply had to get the ball to his playmakers and let them do work.
Burrow had one of the most efficient games of his career, producing a 143.2 quarterback rating while completing 80.4 percent of his passes.
This is what the Bengals have been expecting offensively with their young talent, and it makes them very dangerous going forward this season.
Josh Johnson Can't Overcome Ravens' Defensive Limitations
There were low expectations for the offense coming into the day with Johnson leading the way, although the quarterback has certainly been around the block a few times.
Josh Johnson has now played for 14 NFL teams and has played in four different professional leagues. His college coach was Jim Harbaugh…not at Michigan. Not at Stanford. But at U of San Diego.
Josh Johnson’s football journey is something else. Since being drafted in the fifth round in 2008, he’s changed teams 20 times (including his stints in the AFL, AAF and XFL).
Now he may step in as a starter in what would immediately become the biggest game of his career. https://t.co/TjCPNQ1iSq
The bigger problems came on defense as the secondary couldn't come close to slowing down the Bengals receivers.
Injuries have been a major story, and things only got worse when Anthony Averett went down Sunday with a chest injury.
Ravens cornerbacks:
❌ Marcus Peters ❌ Marlon Humphrey ❌ Anthony Averett (questionable) ✔️ Tavon Young ❌ Jimmy Smith ❌ Chris Westry ❌ Khalil Dorsey ✔️ Robert Jackson ✔️ Daryl Worley
It led to nearly 500 passing yards for the Bengals and points on each of the team's first seven drives of the game.
The focus might be on the quarterback issues, but it didn't matter who was under center based on the defensive showing from Baltimore.
What's Next?
The schedule remains difficult for both teams looking to secure a playoff spot. The Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17, while the Bengals will be home against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mac Jones Voted NFL 2021 OROY over Ja'Marr Chase by Execs: 'Poised Beyond His Years'
Dec 23, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones climbed to the head of the rookie class in the eyes of NFL executives.
A group of 23 team officials gave Jones 11 votes for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a poll conducted by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was second with nine votes.
"He's poised beyond his years," an AFC executive of Jones. "He has less 'rookie moments' than the others but really processes quickly within their offense, moves the team. He plays in rhythm, doesn't turn over the ball too much. He just plays like a vet.
Jones is an outlier among his fellow first-round signal-callers so far.
Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Justin Fields have struggled in their starting roles, and the San Francisco 49ers are taking a gradual approach with Trey Lance. Other than Jones, there wasn't another QB who received a single vote for Offensive ROY in Pelissero's poll.
The lowest drafted among the five, Jones has thrown for 3,168 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 69.0 percent of his passes in 14 starts. While the 15th overall pick out of Alabama hasn't been a revelation, he has arguably exceeded expectations.
At the moment, Jones is the runaway betting favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He's -700 at DraftKings Sportsbook (bet $700 to win $100) with Chase (+400; bet $100 to win $400) second on the list. It's basically a two-horse race at this point considering Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is third at +6500.
Chase will have plenty of supporters arguing his case. The 21-year-old has hauled in 61 receptions for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns. He and Joe Burrow have picked up from where they left off at LSU in 2019.
But the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and Jones will have a difficult resume to beat if the Patriots go on to remain in their current position to win the AFC East.
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Joe Burrow Jokes About Bengals Avoiding COVID-19: 'Not a Ton to Do' in Cincinnati
Dec 22, 2021
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 19: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms-up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Sometimes, amid a global pandemic that has dominated everybody's lives for the past two years, you just have to ease some tension by joking about it.
And so that's what Joe Burrow did Wednesday, as cases continue to rise around the NFL, to the point that three games were postponed last week. When asked why the Bengals have been able to avoid a major outbreak, he told reporters: "Fortunately, there's not a lot to do in Cincinnati."
After a game, Burrow clearly goes home, heats up some Skyline Chili and flips on some reruns of WKRP in Cincinnati.
Whatever the players are doing, it's largely working on the field. The Bengals are 8-6, sit atop the AFC North and hold the No. 4 seed in the playoff picture. For a team that hasn't made the postseason since 2015, it's been refreshing watching Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Mixon lead a revival.
Even if they occasionally crack jokes about the fine city of Cincinnati.
