Tony Romo Slams Missed Call on Late Hit Against Lamar Jackson

Heading into Sunday’s highly anticipated matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens, fans were expecting nothing short of an exhilarating display of quarterback talent. With both Lamar Jackson of the Ravens and Josh Allen of the Bills considered among the league’s top MVP candidates, many believed this game would showcase elite-level quarterback play throughout. However, the excitement was tempered by frustration from some, including CBS color analyst Tony Romo, who voiced his concerns over the officiating during the game.

Romo, known for his candid commentary, expressed his belief that the referees had failed to adequately protect the star quarterbacks, particularly Lamar Jackson. This criticism came after a play in the second quarter that raised eyebrows. Jackson had just scrambled for a first down and was heading out of bounds when, despite having taken several steps beyond the sideline, he was forcefully tackled by Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver. The hit immediately drew the ire of the Ravens’ sideline, with players and coaches reacting angrily and demanding a penalty for unnecessary roughness. The lack of a flag on the play only fueled the frustration, as many felt that Jackson, a player known for his agility and mobility, should have been given more protection from such a dangerous hit.

As soon as Lamar Jackson was taken down by Ed Oliver, both CBS announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo immediately voiced their shared opinion that the hit appeared to be a late one, and they felt a penalty flag should have been thrown.

Nantz, setting the scene, described Jackson’s impressive run, noting, “Jackson fakes the throw and takes off for about 11 yards,” before commenting on the questionable timing of the tackle. “That might have been a little late, Ed Oliver. And they are letting it be known on that sideline that they don’t appreciate that. But no flag.” His words emphasized not only the delayed nature of the hit but also the visible frustration on the Ravens’ sideline, where players were vocal about the lack of a penalty.

Romo, in agreement, added his own thoughts, expressing concern over the potential impact of such hits on quarterbacks like Jackson. “I mean, I feel like that was late,” Romo said. “He’s too precious, you can’t allow that to happen. If he goes down, that changes everything real fast.” Romo’s statement underscored his belief that quarterbacks, especially someone as valuable as Jackson, need to be better protected from hits like this, as it could lead to a significant shift in the game if he were injured.

However, CBS’s rules analyst, Gene Steratore, offered a different perspective. He appeared to defend the no-call, suggesting that the officials might have ruled that Oliver’s tackle began before Jackson fully stepped out of bounds. Steratore argued that the officials may have been simply allowing Oliver to “finish the tackle,” as the play was not entirely over when Jackson moved out of bounds. While Romo and Nantz felt the hit was too late, Steratore provided a more lenient interpretation of the situation.

Upon reviewing a replay of the hit, it becomes clear that the officials may have overlooked not only a late hit but also a potential penalty for a hip drop tackle, a move the league has been actively trying to eliminate from the game due to its dangerous nature.

In the replay, it’s evident that as Ed Oliver brought Lamar Jackson down, Jackson’s legs got caught awkwardly underneath Oliver’s body. This type of tackle has the potential to cause significant injury, as the player’s lower body can be trapped in an unnatural position, placing strain on the knees, ankles, and other joints. Given the way Jackson’s legs were entangled, the situation could have easily resulted in a more severe injury.

Fortunately for Jackson, he appeared to escape the play without any immediate signs of injury. However, the nature of the tackle and the fact that the officials did not call a penalty raised concerns about the safety of the quarterback and whether proper protection was provided during the play.

Regardless of the outcome, Tony Romo aptly captured the severity of the situation. If Lamar Jackson had been injured as a result of the uncalled tackle—one that could have easily drawn penalties for both a late hit and a possible hip drop— it would have reflected poorly on the officiating crew. Not only would it have been a major misstep for the referees, but losing Jackson to an injury would have had a devastating impact on the Ravens’ chances of securing a victory in the game.

The missed call becomes even more troubling when you consider how different the officiating seemed compared to another high-profile playoff game that took place just the day before. In Saturday’s Divisional Round matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans, the officiating came under heavy scrutiny, albeit for a very different reason. In that game, there were several controversial calls regarding hits on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, where the referees appeared overly eager to protect the star QB. The officials seemed quick to throw flags when Mahomes took hits, potentially erring on the side of caution to avoid any harm to the player.

By contrast, during Sunday’s game between the Ravens and the Bills, no such protection was afforded to Lamar Jackson. The officials refrained from throwing any penalties for a late hit or a potential dangerous tackle, leaving Jackson exposed. This stark difference in how the two games were officiated highlights a troubling inconsistency in the way certain situations are being handled this postseason. It raises questions about the fairness and continuity of officiating across games, with star quarterbacks seemingly receiving varying levels of protection depending on the game they’re playing in.