Are The Refs For The Panthers Steelers Game Cheating

JuJu Smith-Schuster continues to ignore all logic when it comes to dancing on opposing teams’ logos on the road.

The Pittsburgh Steelers wideout was going to recreate the Terrell Owens touchdown celebration in Dallas against the Cowboys but was stopped. He danced on the Buffalo Bills logo and the Steelers lost a week ago, with multiple players (including QB Josh Allen) using it as motivation.

It seems unnecessary to fire up an opponent in that way … but Smith-Schuster did it again anyway before Monday’s shocking loss to Cincinnati, and of course, the Bengals took note.

Alex Smith appears to jog off with the game ball, leading to an 'administrative issue' that forced the refs to stop the clock and let Washington kick a field goal. The Chicago Bears (7-6) are coming off an impressive 31-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys (6-7), but during the game there was reason to be upset in regards to some calls made by the referees.

Here’s the video of the pregame dance before Monday Night Football:

The Bengals’ Vonn Bell addressed the logo dancing a couple of days before the contest, noting, “We just gotta go out there, between the lines, go out there and hit him and let him know where he stands.”

And Bell did just that, forcing Smith-Schuster to fumble in the first quarter with a huge hit.

Again: this isn’t a good idea! I understand Smith-Schuster wanting to be himself, but anything that fires up the opposing defense may not be the best thing. Bell was all smiles when asked about it:

Bell got revenge with that forced fumble and the Bengals’ win multiplied it by two.

There should have been plenty to discuss beyond the officiating after the Green Bay Packers’ 23-22 win over the Detroit Lions on Monday night.

Are The Refs For The Panthers Steelers Game Cheating Score

Lions coach Matt Patricia’s clock management could come into question. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ obscenely precise play was worth discussion. But unfortunately, no one — not even the ESPN broadcasters, who typically avoid criticism of the officials — could avoid the chatter around the referees’ calls on the field. The officials were the most influential people during the game — and in the worst ways.

Are The Refs For The Panthers Steelers Game Cheating

Are The Refs For The Panthers Steelers Game Cheating Game

There were many poor calls on the field on Monday. But let’s focus, in particular, on two calls: a pair of illegal-use-of-hands penalties on Lions defensive end Trey Flowers. Both calls helped the Packers stay in the game.

Are The Refs For The Panthers Steelers Game Cheating Play

The first penalty came on a third-and-10 on the Packers’ penultimate offensive possession in the fourth quarter when the Lions sacked Rodgers for an 11-yard loss. The penalty gave Green Bay a first down (rather than a fourth down). The replay showed Flowers had his hands on Packers tackle David Bakhtiari’s shoulder pads — not on his face. Three plays later, Rodgers dropped a dime to Allen Lazard for a touchdown, which trimmed the Lions’ lead to two points.

On the Packers’ final possession on a third-and-4, Flowers was again putting his hands on Bakhtiari’s shoulder pads — and the tackle threw back his head, perhaps in an effort to draw a penalty. It worked. The refs flagged Flowers again. And again, the flag gave Green Bay more life. In fact, that play gave the Packers a first down with enough time to bleed the clock and attempt a field goal without the Lions ever getting a chance at getting the ball back. Essentially, the call ended and determined the game. And it was very apparently an errant call.

Are The Refs For The Panthers Steelers Game Cheating Against

Here’s a look at both plays. The top video is the first time Flowers was flagged. The second video is the second time he was flagged.

That’s why there was outrage on Twitter.

The game should have been a classic, with two division rivals keeping it close before Rodgers pulled off an epic comeback in a primetime game. But that wasn’t the story. It was all about the officiating, which is a shame.