Amik Robertson has every reason to be furious with costly Commanders officiating

There was no excuse for the Washington Commanders not to win their Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants. They held a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and drove into game-winning field-goal range at the end of overtime.

But we also can't ignore the officiating call that changed everything.

Late in the third quarter, cornerback Amik Robertson intercepted Giants quarterback Jameis Winston at the goal line, only for it to be called back for extremely marginal pass interference. The G-Men scored three plays later, and momentum shifted.

Amik Robertson outlines frustration at questionable Commanders officiating so far

Without that call, the Commanders almost certainly would have won the game. It's not the first time they've been jobbed by the stripes this season, and for Robertson in particular, it's become a concerning pattern.

A week ago against the Indianapolis Colts, Robertson was called for a ticky-tack personal foul that gave the opposition a fresh set of downs and cost the Commanders at least four points. It was the turning point in a game Washington had previously dominated.

The blame still ultimately lies on head coach Dan Quinn's team for being unable to regroup when breaks don't go their way. But Robertson, who has played at a Pro Bowl level this season, isn't having it.

The "Z"s, meaning zebras, is a direct call-out of the officiating crews designated by the league. And Washington isn't alone in its frustration.

A week ago, Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride got into a heated exchange with referee Jeff Seeman, who was suspended two games for cursing out the star tight end.

That same day, Adrian Hill was suspended one game for berating Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson, who was trying to help him up after being shoved into the official by another player.

Amik Robertson might get a fine, but the cornerback made his point

Officials are humans too, and perhaps aside from head coaches, they have the most thankless profession in sports. They only get noticed when they do something wrong.

But that's part of the job.

And right now, the entire NFL has an epidemic of low-quality referees who call games far too tightly, don't enforce the rules correctly, and treat players with constant disrespect.

Robertson will probably get fined for this social media outburst if the NFL sees it. But he made his point, and the defensive back was right.

The refs aren't specifically out to get the Commanders. But the fact of the matter is that in each of the past four games, dating back to wide receiver Dyami Brown's should-have-been touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys, they've had at least one crucial play either called back or wrongfully ruled against them.

It's gotten old. And Robertson has more room to be upset than just about anybody.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow