A missed punch by a Texans linebacker on a Bears running back during a heated scrum late in Sunday night's game has drawn widespread criticism, with many questioning why no penalty was called.
NFL officials came under fire for missing a blatant punch thrown during a late-game scrum between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears on Sunday night, a missed call that drew widespread criticism and raised questions about their competency.
The incident occurred with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, as Bears quarterback Caleb Williams scrambled to the sideline and was tackled just before stepping out of bounds. Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair got up from making the tackle and inexplicably punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson, who was not even involved in the play.
NFL Officials Miss Egregious Punch During Texans-Bears Game, Sparking Controversy
Officials managed to separate the players in the heated moment, but they somehow failed to notice the egregious punch. As a result, the Texans were not given a 15-yard penalty, and Al-Shaair was not ejected from the game.
The missed call was met with incredulity by fans, analysts, and players alike. Johnson took to Twitter to express his disbelief, writing, "It took every bit of my soul not to thrash that boy."
NFL Officials Miss Egregious Punch During Texans-Bears Game, Sparking Controversy
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus was equally critical, saying, "I have no idea how that wasn't called. It was right in front of the officials. They have to do a better job."
The NFL's officiating department has been under scrutiny in recent weeks for a string of questionable calls, and the missed punch in the Texans-Bears game has only added fuel to the fire. Critics have pointed to the incident as further evidence that the league's officials need to be held accountable for their mistakes.
NFL Officials Miss Egregious Punch During Texans-Bears Game, Sparking Controversy
Despite the missed call, the Texans held on to win the game 19-13, thanks in large part to their stellar defense. Williams threw two interceptions, while Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. had 1.5 sacks.
However, the controversy surrounding the missed punch is likely to overshadow the Texans' victory. The NFL will undoubtedly review the incident and may take disciplinary action against Al-Shaair and the officials involved.
In the meantime, the missed call has served as a reminder that the NFL's officiating needs to improve. Fans, players, and coaches deserve to have confidence that the games are being called fairly, and the league must take steps to ensure that this happens.
