Blunders on the Field: Michaels Slams Refs in Bengals-Ravens Thriller

You might think football is all about strategy and skill, but sometimes, a game's outcome can hinge on something beyond the players' control: the referees. That's exactly what happened in the Bengals-Ravens showdown on Thursday night. Al Michaels, the voice of Amazon's play-by-play, wasn't shy about sharing his frustration with the officiating crew. The fourth quarter was tense, with the Bengals trailing by one point, 35-34. They were going for a two-point conversion to take the lead. That's when things started to go wrong. Two crucial penalties against the Ravens were overlooked. Terry McAulay, a seasoned former NFL ref, pointed out the errors. He noted that there was clear defensive holding on Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki before the pass was thrown. Plus, Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike grabbed Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's facemask – a roughing the passer penalty. Michaels wasn't pleased. "Too many games end like this, " he said. "Penalties are missed, and it's frustrating. " This isn't the first time Michaels has voiced his displeasure with officiating. Just two weeks prior, during another Amazon game, a clear facemask penalty on Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was missed, which cost them a comeback win. Burrow's pass for the two-point conversion fell short, missing tight end Tanner Hudson. The Ravens recovered the onside kick, sealing their 36-35 victory. The Bengals had led 21-7 in the third quarter, but the Ravens rallied back to snatch the win. So, what's the takeaway? Sometimes, the game isn't just about who plays better, but also who gets the calls. And when those calls aren't made, it can leave a sour taste in everyone's mouth.