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The NFL season is officially underway with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game.
So, of course, the biggest storyline of the night quickly became what it always seems to become in the NFL — the referees.
In last year’s season-opener, the refs stole the show by refusing to call an illegal formation on Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
Well, it appears that they’ve fixed that problem this season. But they did so by going way in the opposite direction. Officials called the Ravens for an illegal formation three times on the opening drive on Thursday night.
Pro Bowl tackle Ronnie Stanley got called for the violation twice, while guard Patrick Mekari was called for the other.
The Ravens were called for illegal formation three times on the first drive (twice for Ronnie Stanley) of the 2024 NFL season.
"Wow! I mean, they are calling this razor-sharp here." – Cris Collinsworth 🏈🎙️🦓 pic.twitter.com/TecSqGP9nQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 6, 2024
In all three instances, the officials determined that the linemen were not lined up on the line of scrimmage, meaning the Ravens did not have enough players on the line.
Fans are media alike were baffled by the sudden crackdown.
If you're into illegal formation penalties, this is the season for you
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) September 6, 2024
Great, an "increased emphasis" on illegal formation penalties. The nation was crying out
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) September 6, 2024
An entire opening weekend of illegal formation calls is not what anyone wants, NFL.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 6, 2024
Ironically, Taylor was not called for an illegal formation once on Kansas City’s opening touchdown drive.
Meanwhile here is Jawaan Taylor https://t.co/4gjcWONR24 pic.twitter.com/Jmk2NJJgz0
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) September 6, 2024
Jawaan Taylor is going to have 25 illegal formation penalties if they are calling it this tight.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 6, 2024
Welcome back, NFL. We missed your nonsense.
Alright, I’m sick of the illegal formation penalties
Go back to the old rules on the Oline
— Football (@BostonConnr) September 6, 2024