WATCH: The NFL has made it illegal for Clay Matthews to hit QBs
The Green Bay Packers are building quite a case for arguing against the new roughing-the-passer penalty in the NFL. At least when Clay Matthews is concerned.
The pass rusher was again flagged for roughing the passer on Sunday when he sacked Alex Smith of the Washington Redskins. There wasn’t a clear explanation of Matthews’ foul on the play, but the newest wrinkle to the rule is that players cannot land on an opponent with their body weight, which could have been the case here.
Earlier this season, Matthews was flagged, but not fined, for a similar hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. It also happened when Matthews sacked Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
There’s already an argument for a rule change, but if this keeps up, the NFL may have to respond to a tweak sooner rather than later.
No way this is roughing the passer. Terrible call. pic.twitter.com/WUqPoWqxMd
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) September 23, 2018
Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy was visibly upset with the officials about the call:
#Packers HC Mike McCarthy almost went after the ref. He’s pissed after Clay Matthews was called for roughing the passer (again).pic.twitter.com/jJygSJFuJR
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 23, 2018
In a near-consensus opinion, fans across the country disagreed with the call.
If that was a penalty in College,Tennessee would be guaranteed a 1st down on every pass attempt
— #WeAreTheCaptainsNow (@jpowell77) September 23, 2018