Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan is frustrated with the number of penalties that have hurt his team in crucial moments during back-to-back games.
On Sunday, Callahan made sure the NFL officiating crew knew what he thought about a penalty that shifted the momentum in the second quarter. He was so upset about the call that he was penalized twice for unsportsmanlike conduct in the Titans’ 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Callahan was upset about a penalty given to Mike Brown for unnecessary roughness after he broke up a pass intended for Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison on a fourth-and-goal play from the Tennessee 1-yard line.
“I saw a hit that was level with the shoulder pads to the body,” Callahan said when asked about the penalty. “That’s what I saw.”
The penalty gave the Vikings a new set of downs and brought them closer to the goal line. On the next play, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold ran in a touchdown, which gave them the lead.
Last week, Callahan had another frustrating experience with the officials when they overturned a call on the field. Jeffery Simmons had sacked and stripped Justin Herbert, and Titans cornerback Roger McCreary picked up the ball and returned it for what would have been a go-ahead touchdown. However, after a review, the turnover was ruled incomplete, and the Titans lost that game.
Sunday’s loss dropped the Titans to 2-8, and they were penalized 13 times for 91 yards. One of the penalties was an illegal formation by a new right tackle that wiped out a 51-yard touchdown pass from Will Levis to Calvin Ridley. That same tackle was called for another illegal formation penalty later, negating a 23-yard gain.
“They have every right to be frustrated, and they should be,” said Callahan. He also mentioned that he had talked to NFL senior vice president of officiating communications and administration, Perry Fewell, on Friday about the issues.
Referee Clete Blakeman explained that both the down judge and side judge threw the flag on Mike Brown, with each official having a good view from different angles. Blakeman said the defensive player launched into the receiver, who is considered defenseless, and there was helmet contact to the chest and neck area. He added that such plays aren’t reviewable and that no help came from replay.
On video, it looks like Brown’s left foot stayed on the ground as he made contact with Addison in the chest.
Levis said Callahan reminded the players to be careful about what they say about officials after the loss. The Titans also dropped to 1-4 at home with this defeat.
“Guys are playing their hearts out,” Levis said. “And at some point or another, things are going to shake in our favor, we feel like, and it just hasn’t been that way. But all you can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
The illegal formation penalties came as the Titans tried to find a solution to their struggles at right tackle. Isaiah Prince, who was signed to the practice squad on October 22, was called for three illegal formation penalties, which took away the touchdown and cost the Titans 80 yards in passing.
Rookie left tackle JC Latham said that officials are clearly focused on illegal formation calls, but he had never seen it happen three times in one game. He said that an official had warned him on the first play to move closer to the line.
The Titans were clearly frustrated with the penalties. Simmons said some of the calls came late, even after players were celebrating.
“Things like that are out of our control,” Simmons said. “I think we’re cursed when it comes down to officiating right now. That’s just my opinion on that. We can’t say too much about it because we know the NFL is waiting to fine us for that.”
