New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Giants' Dexter Lawrence rips controversial roughing the passer call vs. Vikings

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/16/23

New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence didn't hide his feelings about the controversial roughing the passer penalty he received late in Sunday's playoff win at the Minnesota Vikings.

"Uh, yeah, I don’t know how else to tackle a quarterback," Lawrence told Steve Politi of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com shortly after the 31-24 victory. "I’m just going to keep rushing him and getting after him. I can’t let that penalty affect my rush or the team, so I just had to keep going."

Lawrence added that the referees offered no explanation for why a flag was thrown.

The Giants were leading by seven points with roughly 2:30 remaining in regulation when Lawrence brought Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins down as Cousins got rid of the football to avoid a sack. The play initially seemed clean to many watching at home, but replays showed Lawrence likely drew the penalty because he made contact with Cousins' helmet.

roughing the passer penalty on Giants on Kirk Cousins pic.twitter.com/okKJrepQHU
— Ted Buddwell (@TedBuddy8) January 16, 2023

Nevertheless, Giants head coach Brian Daboll let it be known he wasn't a fan of the call:

Brian Daboll reacts to the roughing the passer call against the Giants. pic.twitter.com/Wk6U7OnXFC
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 16, 2023

"I was p----- off after that," Lawrence said after the New York defense stopped Minnesota to clinch the win and secure a postseason matchup at the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this coming Saturday night, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "I had to shake it off and keep playing the next play."

Giants deny the Vikings!

: #NYGvsMIN on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/uuhRH8WYIn pic.twitter.com/CIPFPUD3Ao
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2023

Meanwhile, Giants co-owner John Mara noted that he lost his voice "a couple of times, particularly on that roughing the passer call" at Minnesota's U.S. Bank Stadium.

Multiple roughing the passer penalties generated negative headlines for the NFL in October. It was later reported that the league's competition committee will discuss making such calls reviewable during the upcoming offseason.

While one can't know for sure, it seems like Lawrence would be in favor of a rule change that could decrease the number of roughing the passer penalties called as soon as next season. As it pertains to Saturday's showdown at Lincoln Financial Field, don't expect to see Lawrence play any less aggressively while chasing Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts.

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