“The stats speak for themselves,” Jaguars defensive lineman Malik Jackson said, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN.
The Jaguars had six penalties for 98 yards. The Patriots had one for 10 yards..
According to NFL Research, it was the fewest penalties called on one team in a playoff game since the 2011 AFC Championship when the Patriots had one penalty against the Ravens.
The Jaguars were called for two defensive pass interference penalties against the Patriots, including a 32-yarder against Bouye that led to a touchdown. That’s two defensive pass interference penalties in one game despite having only been called for five during the entire season. Five defensive pass interference penalties, an NFL low.
Jacksonville also had the fewest total defensive penalties with nine.
One of the defensive pass interference penalties in particular was highly questionable. That penalty was on Bouye. There was some mutual contact between Cooks and Bouye, minimal at best. The ball appeared to be uncatchable.
The officials flagged the play anyway and the call put the Patriots in position to score with less than a minute left in the second quarter. The Patriots went into halftime down 14-10 instead of 14-3.
Then there’s the picture that’s been viewed around the world of a referee, surrounded by Patriots players, smiling bigger than any of the Patriots after a New England score. We have no way of knowing what was said or done to make the ref smile but for an official who is supposed to remain impartial, it just doesn’t look good.
Another official patted Brady after the quarterback locked up the “win”.
Again, we have no way of knowing what was said or done but for an official who is supposed to remain impartial, it just doesn’t look good. It especially doesn’t look good when officials only flagged the Patriots once.
Even without the disparity in penalties called and even setting aside the officials obvious chuminess and lack of impartiality toward the Patriots there is one incident of misconduct and or blatant favoritism toward the Patriots which stands out, a whistle, one that was blown when no whistle should have been blown.
The play came in the fourth quarter, shortly after the Jags had kicked a field goal that gave them a 20-10 lead.
The Patriots attempted a trick play, which resulted in running back Dion Lewis racing down the sideline. Lewis was caught from behind by Myles Jack. Jack stripped the ball, recovered it, jumped up and headed toward the endzone for the game-clinching touchdown.
Jack had open field and blockers and had not been touched by any Patriot. Then an official blew his whistle, ended the play and robing Jack and Jacksonville of the touchdown. The ruling on the field was that the Jags had recovered the fumble and that Jack was down where he recovered the ball. Officials reviewed the play and upheld the call.
Here is the replay. It is obvious to anyone other than a die hard Patriot fan and even some of them agree, Jack was untouched once he recovered the ball, as such Jacksonville was robbed. Robbed of the touchdown, robbed of winning the game and robbed of their right to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 52.