Las Vegas Raiders just lost their second game of the season with Jimmy Garoppolo. While the Steelers won, many of their fans called out the credibility of the officials, especially after a rough call on Minkah Fitzpatrick. The game featuring Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm didn’t go as planned for the Raiders.
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Fitzpatrick was flagged for roughing the passer in the fourth quarter of the game. As fans closely analyzed the play, a major consensus emerged that the officials were showing favoritism towards the Raiders. However, this contentious penalty decision didn’t really have an impact in the end, as the Steelers registered an impressive win.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Penalized for Sacking Jimmy Garoppolo
In what many reckoned was a pivotal moment during the fourth quarter, the Las Vegas Raiders found themselves in the red zone. They were trailing by 16 points. Minkah Fitzpatrick, in a crucial defensive play, sacked Jimmy Garoppolo. However, the defensive effort quickly turned into dismay as a flag was thrown by the officials. Fitzpatrick was penalized for roughing the passer.
The Raiders are within 8 points of the Steelers. This roughing the passer penalty on Steelers DB Minkah Fitzpatrick helped Vegas’ drive. pic.twitter.com/OFd6iTOPDY
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 25, 2023
As expected, many fans and analysts weren’t happy by the call made by the official. The general consensus on X was that Fitzpatrick executed the tackle cleanly. They opined that Fitzpatrick made sure not to take Garoppolo down and merely touched him. However, Garoppolo went to the ground at which point Fitzpatrick released him and continued his pursuit. Reacting to this, a fan claimed, “the NFL is too soft,” whereas another one wrote, “absolutely soft man.”
That’s an AWFUL penalty call on Minkah Fitzpatrick.
When a QB ducks his head to avoid contact and, instead, causes the contact, that’s incidental.
Defenders have to have the ability to tackle. This is still a contact sport…— Keith Barnes (@kbarnes_pghsprt) September 25, 2023
The NFL is so soft. Oh my gosh, you can’t even sack the quarterback. Minkah Fitzpatrick had a huge clean football play and gets a penalty that keeps the drive alive. Absolutely soft man. #SundayNightFootball
— Michael Hood (@m123hood) September 25, 2023
No way that’s a penalty on Minkah Fitzpatrick. Might as well play two-hand touch at this point
— Walter Cherepinsky (@walterfootball) September 25, 2023
Got this notification on my Apple Watch after the crowd expressed its displeasure with Minkah Fitzpatrick’s roughing the passer penalty. pic.twitter.com/8LfOyS5ZVf
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 25, 2023
Allow me to be the first to disagree with the Minkah Fitzpatrick roughing the passer penalty
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) September 25, 2023
Despite the play appearing fair and clean to many, a penalty flag was thrown. The questionable decision left fans across the NFL spectrum criticizing the officials for a call that, in their view, did not align with the spirit of the game.
TJ Watt Brings Jimmy G Down
During a critical moment just before halftime, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo found himself in a rather unwanted situation. Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt managed to wrap him up thus resulting in an awkward fall. This raised concerns of a potential injury as Garopplo uncomfortably hit the ground.
Oh no, Jimmy Garoppolo is going to the locker room with a leg injury after this hit by TJ Wattpic.twitter.com/fa4MVO6szHhttps://t.co/3u2F6uLuq2
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 25, 2023
Jimmy G was a little slow to rise to his feet and clearly seemed in discomfort. He eventually limped off the field and was attended to by the team’s trainers on the sideline. The situation was a cause for concern among both fans and the Raiders coaching staff. Before his departure, Jimmy Garoppolo had been quite active, completing 12 of 18 passes for 155 yards and securing a touchdown pass.
