3 times refs screwed the Commanders in Week 4 loss to Cowboys

1. No running into/roughing the kicker?

We’re normally not in the business of coming down on referees, but the missed running into/roughing the kicker on Tress Way in the third quarter was unforgivable. It was a one-score game at the time (12-7 in favor of Dallas) with just under eight minutes left in the third quarter.

On 4th and 27, Way uncorked a booming punt and was pretty obviously barreled into by a Cowboys special-teamer. Roughing the kicker might’ve been a tough sell from a Washington perspective, but it should’ve been a conversation.

Roughing the kicker penalty offenders lose 15 yards from the previous spot and surrender an automatic first down. Imagine the Commanders got a fresh set of downs. Who’s to say they don’t march down the field with their newfound momentum and score a touchdown or field goal to draw closer?

Its tough to decipher a player’s intentions at full-speed, but the Cowboys special-teamer did absolutely nothing to dodge Way. Is that not “roughing”? Would the Commanders have gotten this call if they were playing at home?

Like the first two errors, this call didn’t determine the outcome of a game. But it did deprive Washington the chance to capitalize on a boneheaded play. Instead, the Commanders couldn’t so much as get a running into the kicker.

Though those don’t come with an automatic first down, the five yards gained would’ve helped Way flip the field in Washington’s favor.

Yes, the Commanders got beat and have MUCH bigger things to worry, but Sunday was a horror show of NFL officiating.