Officials Explain Game-Altering Penalty Call On Patriots Vs. Cardinals

A controversial call negated a crucial takeaway for the Patriots in New England’s horrific loss to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones picked off a Kyler Murray pass intended for Michael Wilson. Unfortunately for New England, edge rusher Anfernee Jennings was whistled for roughing the passer, killing the turnover.

Pool reporter Mike Reiss of ESPN met with referee Ron Torbert after the game to discuss the controversial call.

In the report, Torbert explained what the officials saw and stood by the crew’s call.

Here is the transcript of Reiss’ exchange with Torbert, per the reporter’s post on X.

Question: What did you see on the field that led to the flag for roughing the passer (third quarter, 3rd-and-6, Arizona 8)?

Torbert: “The flag came from the umpire’s position. The umpire saw a hit to the quarterback’s helmet just after he had thrown the ball.”

Question: How does the quarterback scrambling as a runner as he approaches the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball affect the protection provided to the quarterback under the roughing the passer rule?

Torbert: “This does not impact the protection that he gets from forcible hits to the helmet. Although he is scrambling and working the pocket, he still gets the same protection from forcible hits to the helmet that he would if he were standing in the pocket.”

Question: If in a situation like that, a quarterback maybe lowers his head after throwing the ball before contact was made by the defense, how would that affect the protection of quarterbacks under the roughing the passer rule?

Torbert: “By rule, that action does not impact the protection that he gets from forcible hits to the helmet. We would have to see that action if it happens. That in itself does not change the protection that he gets from forcible hits to the helmet.”

Question: For a defensive player who would ask what he would have to do to not be penalized in that situation, is the answer as simple as there cannot be forcible contact to the helmet?

Torbert: “In that particular situation, given that’s what we called, that would be the answer. That is the reason that the flag was thrown because of the forcible contact to the quarterback’s head and neck area.”

With the 30-17 loss, the Patriots fell to 3-11 on the season. They will now travel to Buffalo to take on the 11-3 Bills in Week 16.