Washington Redskins: 3 Big takeaways from loss vs. Texans in Week 11

2. Officiating Cost the Redskins

Discussing the officiating after a loss is always a difficult thing to talk about. However, the Redskins have some legitimate arguments after some fourth-quarter calls that went against them on both sides of the ball.

The first, a defensive holding call on cornerback Josh Norman with around two minutes remaining in the game. Washington had gotten the stop and it was now fourth down until the officials called the infraction on Norman. This allowed Houston a chance at a field goal and forced the Redskins to use their remaining timeouts. The Texans would miss the field goal but it cost Washington some valuable time.

A closer look at the play, which was away from the ball, was really a ticky-tack call. It was a bit physical but not necessarily a penalty. How are defensive backs supposed to even play if that is a penalty?

Finally, as the Redskins were driving for a potential game-winning field goal, McCoy attempted a pass deep to Josh Doctson. It fell incomplete. A look at the play showed two defenders draped all over Doctson. One was actually on his back before the ball arrived. Horrible job by the officials here.

This was a bad miss by the officials. If you consider the call against Norman just a few minutes prior this becomes even more egregious. At the very least, if you are going to call that against Norman you have no choice but to flag Houston for pass interference on this play.

It proved costly. And, for whatever it’s worth, the NFL admitted it was wrong.