Officiating Controversies Shadow NFL, College Games

Multiple NFL and college games were marked by controversial officiating and game-changing plays this week. The Cowboys’ 44-24 loss at Denver featured sloppy fundamentals and costly pre-snap penalties, including a red‑zone false start attributed to LT Tyler Guyton that coach Brian Schottenheimer said reflected the team pressing in a loud environment. A University of Texas study of more than 13,000 calls (2015–2023) found postseason officiating tilted toward Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, with playoff penalties yielding more yards and more subjective flags, and a poll found 58.6% of fans believed referees favor the Chiefs. Aaron Rodgers’ Packers homecoming against the Steelers turned heated, with a fourth‑quarter brawl that briefly put two officials on the turf; Rodgers finished 24-of-36 for 221 yards and two TDs, tight end Tucker Kraft had a standout game, and cameras caught Rodgers using smelling salts despite an NFL ban. In college football, Jai Patel’s 30‑yard field goal as time expired gave Rutgers a 27‑24 win over Purdue after a late Purdue fumble set up the kick, ending Rutgers’ four‑game skid while Purdue extended its losing streak.