Referees admit to Redskins that intentional grounding call was wrong

Kirk Cousins was called for a crucial penalty late in the game, one that essentially cost the Redskins the win. One day later, we now know that penalty should have never happened.

The Redskins were moving the football, and the clock was winding down. With 28 seconds left to play, they would have been able to kick a 51-yard field goal from where they were standing. But, after Kirk Cousins and Jamison Crowder appeared to have some miscommunication, the refs called a very late intentional grounding penalty, submitting to the peer pressure of the rowdy Saints’ fans. The penalty not only lost them ten yards and a down, but it also lost them ten seconds. And the clock was still running.

It was, to be appropriate and avoid using foul language, an utter disaster by the officiating crew, a heinous, unforgivable display of cluelessness. There was confusion about the penalty. Some thought Cousins had an intended receiver, but they just ran the wrong route. And now, after the game has already been decided, we have confirmation that that was the case. And we know that penalty should have never happened.

Wow, really? The call was incorrect? Oh, great! Thank you for telling us! Wow, really glad we cleared that one up, guys. So relived! But wait. It’s still a loss. Sometimes the best call is no call, and it seemed that, on Sunday, the refs were close to taking that course of action, but they were coaxed into throwing a flag by the crowd. That’s not what you want your refs doing. And you don’t see competent referees take that route.

It’s not smart think theoretically after a painful loss like this, but I’ll take exception to that rule for now. Without that penalty, the Redskins’ momentum wouldn’t have been stunted, and they would have been able to possibly get more yards down the field. They were already in field goal range, and they would have had a chance to make it even easier for Nick Rose, who has been on target all year. That penalty was chaotic. It cost the Redskins a statement win. And now we know it shouldn’t have happened.

Nevertheless, it is what it is. Despite the misfortune the Redskins suffered, they could have done more to win the game. A late stop would have been nice. And a conversion on third and short with two minutes to go would have also been ideal. But the Redskins had one last chance to win the game in regulation, and when they got close, the refs took it away. They had no momentum in overtime, and they lost as a result. Kirk Cousins haters will blindly point to his penalty as a reason not to sign him, but again, it shouldn’t have drawn a flag in the first place.

Next: Redskins Breakdown: Despite loss, team played a winning game

Moving forward, it’s best to put this game in the rear view mirror. But players and fans alike can’t help but feel cheated. They were so close to 5-5, so close to getting that statement win to kick off a late season run, and but it simply wasn’t in the cards. The team plays the Giants on Thursday. Hopefully, they’ll have a different, more sensible officiating crew.