Fans continue to push for the NFL to make changes with their referees as the poor officiating continued throughout the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Though the Buffalo Bills took down the Baltimore Ravens, fans still took to social media to express frustration in the reffing.
NFL Fans Call for Change After Controversial Call in AFC Divisional Round
This has seemed to be a recurring theme in the Divisional Round, as the officials have been put on blast for the past 24 hours.
One instance was a missed holding call, pointed out by a “Rate the refs” account on X, as they said, “Shakir clearly gets held here on this 3rd down and there is no flag thrown.”
Shakir clearly gets held here on this 3rd down and no flag is thrown. pic.twitter.com/o85uZTFKtB
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 20, 2025
That said, one play earlier in the game caught the attention of many fans, including Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports.
“This holding call is basically a turnover. The NFL has to fix this. Takes points right off the board probably for Buffalo. Explain this @nflcommish (Roger Goodell),” Portnoy tweeted.
This holding a call was basically a turnover. The NFL has to fix this. Takes points right off the board probably for Buffalo. Explain this @nflcommish pic.twitter.com/89v97DoOMV
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 20, 2025
Laser eye surgery company LASIK also pointed out the poor call, saying, “Better vision. Better calls. Literally offering all NFL refs free modern LASIK.” This is a running gag that LASIK has for when the refs make controversial calls.
Better Vision. Better Calls.
Literally offering all NFL refs free modern LASIK.
— LASIK.com (@LASIKdotcom) January 20, 2025
Another fan just said straight up, “that’s not a penalty.”
That's not a penalty pic.twitter.com/RVtUfuXSu4
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 20, 2025
The refs have to do better as this is becoming a common occurrence. There needs to be more national attention brought to the issue to help the push for them to prevent this from happening.
Bills Quarterback Josh Allen Gets Slammed For Complaining to the Refs Over Roughness Call
Despite the victory, Allen has received a lot of backlash due to his complaining to the referees throughout the game. That said, one play in particular stood out as he was very emphatic about wanting the call. This was as a defender slammed Dawson Knox in the backfield following the blow of the whistle, though it was a continuation of the tackle.
JOSH ALLEN WENT CRAZY SCREAMING AND BEGGING THE REFS FOR AN UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS PENALTY ON THE #RAVENS.
😭😭😭
Allen has begged the refs for different penalties throughout the game.
pic.twitter.com/rWtIpAZxDx— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 20, 2025
Fans were very critical of Allen in the replies to this tweet, even comparing him to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes who was called out for “flopping” in his victory over the Houston Texans.
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“‘Touching the quarterback, defense, any of ’em. 50 yards. Automatic touchdown and two point conversion.’ Who does he think he is? Patrick Mahomes?!?” said one fan.
“Touching the quarterback, defense, any of ‘em. 50 yards. Automatic touchdown and two point conversion”
Who does he think he is? Patrick Mahomes?!?
— Donovan Nin (@NinDonovan) January 20, 2025
Another fan also added that Allen is “turning into Mahomes, but in a negative way.”
Allen turning into Mahomes, but in a negative way.
— Syed Ali (@beAleaf) January 20, 2025
Though both quarterbacks won, they each ended up receiving criticism for similar antics. That said, they’ll get to battle it out in the AFC Championship to see which quarterback can take the conference title.