Advertisement

Nobody likes roughing the passer rule, but it was called right on Chase Young

The Washington Football Team thought it had the New York Giants backed up on third-and-long Monday after a Chase Young sack of Daniel Jones on Thursday.

But a rule that's drawn ire since 2018 resulted in a roughing-the-passer flag on Young. Jones capitalized two plays later with a six-yard touchdown run to give the Giants an early 7-0 lead.

Here's what happened.

The Giants drove inside the Washington 20-yard-line on their opening drive. On second-and-12 at the Washington 16, Jones dropped backed for a pass. Young broke free off the edge for a clean shot at Jones, whom he took down before the Giants quarterback could get rid of the ball.

He didn't hit him high. He didn't hit him low. But he did land on top of Jones with his body weight.

So as Washington celebrated the would-be sack, officials flagged Young for roughing the passer. The penalty set New York up with first-and-goal at the Washington 8-yard line instead of third-and-very long. Two plays later, the Giants had a 7-0 lead that seemed unlikely if Young hadn't been penalized.

Washington fans were mad. So was much of Twitter. But the call was right. It has been since 2018, when a rule change regularly resulted in headlines about borderline roughing penalties. Defenders are not permitted to put "most if not all" of their body weight on quarterbacks during a sack.

And as clean as it looked, that's exactly what happened here. It was controversial in 2018. Three seasons later, it still rankles fans. But don't blame the officials for this one.

Washington overcame the early deficit for a 30-29 win as Dustin Hopkins connected on a 43-yard field goal as time expired.

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team looks on prior to facing the New York Giants at FedExField on September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Chase Young made a good play with a bad finish. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)