JJ McCarthy, Vikings
Getty
Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy took a beating against the Detroit Lions last week, and the NFL is looking into one hit that could see linebacker Jack Campbell punished.
Facing 1st-and-10 on the Vikings’ 26-yard line late in the first half, McCarthy saw Campbell crashing down the pocket and chucked the ball to tight end T.J. Hockenson before impact. Campbell’s hit was considered excessive, leading the game officials to call a roughing the passer penalty on Campbell, who hit McCarthy in the process of throwing the ball.
According to the NFL rulebook, a game official can deem any physical act against a player who is in a passing posture as a personal foul if the act is “unwarranted by the circumstances.
“Roughing will be called if, in the Referee’s judgment, a pass rusher clearly should have known that the ball had already left the passer’s hand before contact was made,” the rulebook states.
Roughing the passer penalties are automatically reviewed by the NFL for potential punishment, which puts Campbell at risk of receiving a $17,389 fine. The NFL announces its weekly fines on Saturday as part of its weekly gameday accountability update.
The Lions tallied five sacks and five quarterback hits as part of 22 total pressures on McCarthy, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Campbell is currently the No. 2-graded inside linebacker in the NFL by PFF.
Tom Brady Reacts to Roughing the Passer on JJ McCarthy
While the officials accurately interpreted the roughing the passer rule, the Fox Broadcast crew took issue with the rule itself. Tom Brady led the critique during the live broadcast.
“The challenge I don’t like about it is you take such a good defensive play and a bad offensive play by not picking up the pressure, and you reward the offense 15 yards,” Brady said.
It may be a long shot that Campbell would be fined as there wasn’t obvious malintent on the play. However, the penalty extended a Vikings drive that drained the clock and allowed Minnesota to enter halftime with a lead.
Vikings’ Win Over Lions Leaves NFC North Division Chase Wide Open
All four NFC North teams have a case to push for the division title in pursuit of the postseason after a surprising Week 9.
The Vikings (4-4) executed an upset over the Lions after being named 9.5-point underdogs before the game. It was a pivotal game for Minnesota, which entered Week 9 last in the division with a 5% chance of making the postseason. According to The Athletic’s playoff predictor, the Vikings’ shot at making the playoffs jumped to 20%.
The Chicago Bears (5-3) have a 23% of making the postseason and share a 5% chance of winning the division along with the Vikings. The Lions (5-3) have a 75% chance of making the postseason and a 34% chance of winning the division.
Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers (5-3-1), who dropped a loss to the Carolina Panthers last week, have an 87% chance of making the postseason and a 56% chance of making the division.
But with all teams within two games of the division-leading Packers, it’s anyone’s division entering Week 10.