The controversial fourth down spot that gave the Pittsburgh Steelers the dagger over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday raised a lot of questions about NFL referees. Additionally, the outcomes in the Cleveland Browns-Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins-Philadelphia Eagles contests this week also made the NFL community concerned with officiating.
Former Rams defensive end Chris Long opened up about today's officials, stating that they are "tough," but they also don't get enough credit for making close calls.
"It's kind of like an offensive lineman, you don't talk about (Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro right tackle) Lane Johnson until he gives up a sack," Long said on Monday's edition of The Rich Eisen Show. "The officiating is always going to be inconsistent. It's a really tough job. You have to overcome some bad calls."
Long admitted that the Rams "got hosed" by the refs on the controversial fourth down spot, but believes that the game wasn't decided by that one call.
"If you're (Rams coach) Sean McVay, I understand you're taking timeouts to get it together on a third down that they actually convert," Long said. "Earlier in the half, I know they're taking timeouts in that situation because the Steelers are in four-minute mode."
Long explained that the Rams couldn't take advantage of some of Pittsburgh's penalties, as they even "got burned" by one of them in the final stages.
"You could look back at Diontae Johnson, who damn near blew the game for the Steelers," Long said. "He had a conversion and then he comes over and taunts the guy. Then they had to go back again to Allen Robinson and replay the down (and he converted). The chips fell the wrong way for the Rams, but there's no guarantee that they will win that game."
There were plenty of other mistakes that the Rams made that impacted the result, including an interception by quarterback Matthew Stafford to open up the second half, multiple drops by All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp, two missed field goals by newly released kicker Brett Maher and more.
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