It's rare for anyone — players, coaches or fans — to be completely satisfied with referees.
But people across the NFL have become increasingly upset with officials in recent weeks after a stretch of tough moments.
In Week 7, several close games were decided based on calls from referees — including the Steelers' win over the Rams and the Browns' win over the Colts. Even though the season isn't even halfway over, there have been plenty of snafus that have left viewers scratching their heads.
Here are the 10 worst officiating moments from the 2023 NFL season, so far:
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Pass interference not called on final play of Bills-Giants
After a pass interference penalty set the Giants up to potentially score the game-winning touchdown, the refs swallowed their whistles on the final play of the Sunday Night Football contest. NBC's Terry McAulay and Cris Collinsworth broke down the controversial play:
NFL
Josh Allen receives questionable roughing the passer flag
Earlier in the same game, the Giants were again on the wrong side of a suspect call. Linebacker Bobby Okereke was flagged for roughing the passer despite making no contact with Josh Allen's head and not delivering a late hit on the bang-bang play.
Referee throws late flag after Jets intercept Patrick Mahomes
Two weeks earlier on Sunday Night Football, another New York team had a gripe with officials. The Jets intercepted Patrick Mahomes on the final drive of a three-point game. The only problem? Moments after Michael Carter caught the pass, a referee tossed a flag for holding on Sauce Gardner.
Jermaine Johnson blatantly held, referees don't see it
Plays earlier on the same drive, Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson was held by a Chiefs offensive lineman with no call. Mahomes was able to escape the pocket and scramble for 25 yards, and a separate flag was thrown on the play for illegal contact by Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley.
Amari Cooper ruled out of bounds on play where he scored
The Browns thought they had a touchdown, but one official thought Amari Cooper stepped out of bounds. Upon further review, it was obvious that the star receiver didn't touch the sideline — which is even worse when you see how close the official was standing.
D.J. Moore similarly ruled out to halt huge play
A few weeks later, the same mistake was made in Washington after D.J. Moore's catch. The Bears receiver was fuming after the call, which cost him even more yards in what was his breakout game (eight catches, 230 yards, three touchdowns).
Browns' game-winning TD set up by questionable pass interference
Referee criticism was amplified in Week 7, first in the Browns-Colts game. The Browns were trailing by five with 19 seconds left when an official called pass interference in the end zone on a seemingly uncatchable throw to give them the ball at the goal line. Cleveland punched it in to win the game against Indianapolis.
Steelers get first down on controversial spot to clinch win
Hours after the Browns-Colts game, the Steelers-Rams contest had a contentious ending. On fourth-and-inches, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett snuck forward and appeared to be short of the first down. Officials marked him past the marker and the Rams couldn't challenge because they did not have any timeouts remaining.
Minkah Fitzpatrick called for roughing the passer vs. Raiders
The Steelers were on the other end of things a few weeks earlier, when Minkah Fitzpatrick was called for roughing the passer against Jimmy Garoppolo. The star safety avoided making helmet-to-helmet contact and did not land on the Raiders quarterback but was still flagged.
Jawaan Taylor's false starts go uncalled until final moments
The story on opening night in the NFL was Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor. Fans at home caught him moving before a slew of snaps. In the closing minutes, officials finally flagged him for a false start.
