NFL, SEC Refs Face Criticism Over Game-Changing Missed Calls

Controversies surrounding officiating have become a significant talking point in recent football games across both the NFL and college levels. In the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles' use of the "Tush Push" play has drawn criticism from fans who believe referees are overlooking false start penalties, with some accusing the league of allowing the play to continue despite a team vote narrowly failing to ban it. Meanwhile, in the NFL's Week 2 divisional matchup, social media users accused officials of biased officiating favoring the Dallas Cowboys, citing numerous questionable penalty calls that influenced the game's narrative. On the college front, Texas A&M's dramatic 41-40 victory over Notre Dame is under scrutiny due to a missed offensive holding call on the game-winning touchdown, a mistake acknowledged by former NFL official Terry McAulay and highlighted as an "egregious" error that impacted the outcome. The missed call was attributed to an SEC officiating crew, and while other officiating decisions also affected the game, this particular no-call was pivotal, allowing Texas A&M to secure a key road upset. These incidents underscore ongoing debates about the consistency and fairness of officiating in football at multiple levels.