It’s been a wild first quarter in Tampa as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets have combined for a ridiculous 10 penalties during the teams’ opening drives. Both teams were able to put a field goal on the board, but not without some hectic refereeing. NFL fans and analysts are letting the officials hear it for their early performance in Week 3.
NFL Fans React to the Penalties in Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers’ opening drive was action-packed with controversial penalties and even an NFL record. Tampa Bay had five holding penalties on its opening drive, which is the most accepted holding calls on any single drive in NFL history. The Buccaneers had seven accepted penalties in the first 10 minutes of the game.
The NFC South franchise kept getting flagged for holding. Luke Haggard got called for a few of them himself. One analyst was fed up and took to social media to joke about the frequency of holding penalties.
“Another hold. Refs must be getting paid by the flag today. Is Kenyatta Walker here today?” one analyst said.
Another hold. Refs must be getting paid by the flag today. Is Kenyatta Walker here today?
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) September 21, 2025
The Buccaneers were backed up with a 3rd-and-29 near midfield after driving into Jets territory, and threw an incomplete pass. But the refs called a defensive pass interference on Sauce Gardner, giving the Buccaneers good enough field position to get points on the board. It was a questionable call, as fans took to social media to react.
“These refs are terrible in Bucs-Jets,” said Jon Ledyard, an NFL analyst.
He questioned the product that the refs were putting out due to the absurdity of some of the calls. Ledyard wasn’t upset with every call as he gave the refs credit for making a correct call.
“Insane product the refs are putting on right now in this game. But that last call was actually legit,” said Ledyard.
Insane product the refs are putting on right now in this game. But that last call was actually legit
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) September 21, 2025
It’s been ugly as the refs continue to tack on penalties. The refs have been bad all around and are wiping big plays off the board, hurting both teams.
The Jets haven’t been the beneficiary of calls as the refs have flagged them for four penalties, too. The biggest call of the game so far was the Gardner pass interference, which was met with plenty of criticism.
“That was not pass interference on Sauce Gardner omg,” said one fan.
Another fan echoed the sentiment, chiming in with “beyond embarrassing pass interference call on Sauce Gardner on 3rd and 29. Horrific call.”
Beyond embarrassing pass interference call on Sauce Gardner on 3rd and 29. Horrific call.
— Bob Stew (@TheBobStew) September 21, 2025
“That’s a VERY weak PI on Sauce Gardner. Big wideout, big corner gotta be able to tussle a little bit. And that’s coming from a guy who played wideout,” said another fan.
While fans got on the refs for benefiting the Buccaneers, others targeted the refs for being unfair to Tampa Bay.
“Already OBVIOUS the @Buccaneers are playing against the refs today,” said one fan.
Already OBVIOUS the @Buccaneers are playing against the refs today.
— ⚡CryptoPILLZ⚡ (@CryptoPILLZ_NFT) September 21, 2025
“Can the refs make it anymore obvious this is rigged against the @Buccaneers today?” said another fan.
Other fans remain disgusted that the refs are getting away with calling these penalties. It’s affecting the viewing experience for fans.
“Eject these refs immediately. can’t even f**kin watch the game. are they getting inspected or soemtjing,” said one fan.
“Awful officiating. Every play is a flag. The refs make NFL unwatchable,” another fan added.
Awful officiating. Every play is a flag. The refs make NFL unwatchable
— Noah (@NFlenderson32) September 21, 2025
The rate of penalties hasn’t maintained its first-quarter pace, but the refs are very ready to throw their yellow flag on the field. The penalties keep on coming, both killing drives and extending them. The refs are sticking to their methods much to the displeasure of fans and analysts.
