A false start penalty on center Lucas Patrick and the overturned interception by Darnell Savage in the fourth quarter are among the plays from Sunday that Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur would like clarification on from the league office.
LaFleur expressed confusion about the implementation of the rules on both plays and would like a more detailed explanation from the NFL.
“Working through that right now,” LaFleur said.
Patrick was flagged for a false start in the first half on an otherwise standard motion of snapping the ball from the shotgun formation. Referee Shawn Hochuli was caught on the broadcast saying he “warned” the Packers about the motion, but LaFleur was certain nothing about the snap or motion was illegal or out of the ordinary.
“It was news to me that that was illegal. I need to get clarification on what we’re doing wrong, and if we are doing something wrong, then we need to coach it differently and we have to get it corrected,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur also wasn’t sure the specific rules on why Savage’s interception was overturned, especially within the context of Kevin King’s interception in the end zone – which was confirmed on replay – last week against Seattle. Like Savage, King also briefly lost full control of the ball while going to the ground.
“There’s a lot of similarities there, so, it’s just something we have to get clarification on,” LaFleur said. “Does it matter the area of the field? If you’re in the end zone, does it count? If you’re in the field of play, does it not count?”
Savage made a leaping catch of a Kirk Cousins pass late in the fourth quarter but had the ball momentarily jarred loose when he hit the ground. After review, officials ruled the pass incomplete.
“It’s one of those I don’t particularly understand,” LaFleur said.
The Packers were unable to overcome either officiating decision. Aaron Rodgers took a sack on third down after Patrick’s false start penalty, and Cousins and the Vikings used a second chance following the overturned interception to create a game-winning drive.
LaFleur did not express any confusion on the roughing the passer penalty called on Kingsley Keke, which negated an interception. He said Keke needs to lower his strike zone when hitting the quarterback. Keke hit Cousins in the helmet, drawing the penalty on an obvious foul. LaFleur was also disappointed in a penalty for 12 men on the field on the Vikings’ final offensive possession.
The Packers finished the game with a season-high eight penalties for 92 yards, including five on the offense.