Following the Minnesota Vikings week 13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, defensive end Brian Robison voiced displeasure about the officiating during the game.
If you’re a fan of the Minnesota Vikings (which is likely if you are reading this right now) then you were likely swearing at your television during the team’s week 13 contest against the Dallas Cowboys in week 13.
The Vikings defense did a great job in that game limiting a high-powered Dallas offense to 264 yards and their lowest scoring game of the season so far. But those numbers don’t tell the entire story of what was happening on the field during the game.
When watching, it was easy to see some questionable calls from the officiating staff. Whether it was the no-call during the Vikings 2 point conversion attempt, missed holding penalties, or razor-thin plays getting overturned, Minnesota had to feel like the odds were stacked against them.
That sentiment was expressed by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison following the game according to NFL.com:
"“I’m sick and tired of the ref-ing in this league. I’m sick and tired of it. You’ve got holding calls all over the place that people don’t want to call. Bradford gets hit in the face at the end of the game and you don’t call it. I’m not laying this loss on the refs. At some point, it’s got to get better … At the end of the game Bradford gets hit in the face and it doesn’t get called.”"
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This doesn’t mean that Robison is placing blame on the officiating staff for the Vikings loss in week 13, but he raises some valid concerns. There needs to be more uniformity in the NFL when it comes to what is flagged and what isn’t, and the decision of which rules to enforce when shouldn’t vary from one group of referees to another.
When watching the Vikings defensive end over the last couple of weeks, it is easy to understand why he is frustrated. Over the last several weeks, opposing offenses have been being more physical with Robison, often getting a nice fist full of jersey while doings so.
"“This has been building up over the last few weeks,” Robison continued. “I know I’m probably going to get fined, but at some point, somebody has to stand up and say something.”"
Next: Week 13 game review: Vikings vs Cowboys
Odds are that a fine will be coming Brian Robison’s way, but he’s absolutely right. Even though the officiating shouldn’t be blamed for the Minnesota Vikings loss, the players of the game shouldn’t be confused as to why some rules are enforced at some times and others aren’t.