Officiating in any sport is never perfect. No matter what each league does to improve officiating, including using technology, things will still be missed. However, it’s really bad in the NFL. Through the first four weeks of the 2026 season, it’s arguably worse than ever.
It’s not just one team either. Fans assume the NFL is out to get their team, but in fact, officiating is bad in almost every game.
To put it in perspective, Warren Sharp of Sharp Analysis put together penalty numbers from Weeks 1 through 4, focusing on Week 4.
The numbers were startling. Here are some specific numbers from Sharp:
- 17 touchdowns nullified in less than 4 full weeks
- 1 most penalties against offenses per snap since at least 2000
- 1 most penalties on 3rd/4th downs in the 2nd half of games since at least 2000
- 1 most penalties in the red zone against offenses since at least 2000
In Week 4, 12 NFL teams were called for 10 or more penalties. The Los Angeles Chargers were flagged 16 times for 130 yards. Seattle was flagged 14 times for 150
yards. In total, five teams accrued over 100 yards of penalty yardage.
Let’s focus on the Washington Commanders’ game against the Indianapolis Colts in London. The Commanders were called for 10 penalties for 84 yards. Indianapolis was called for one 5-yard penalty, and it didn’t occur until the fourth quarter. So, with the NFL on a record-breaking pace of flags, how did the Colts manage only one?
Were some of the penalties called against the Commanders legitimate? Of course. But several weren’t questionable; they were downright bad. The unnecessary roughness call on cornerback Amik Robertson in the second quarter was a game-changer. Washington had just stopped Indianapolis on third-and-14; now it gets a new set of downs. The game’s announcers, NFL legends Kurt Warner and Jason Kelce, were aghast at the call.
In one play, Commanders receiver Dyami Brown beat a Colts defender deep. The defensive back hooks Brown right in front of the official. Nothing. The usually reserved Dan Quinn was livid. Rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was hit the same way Patrick Mahomes was one week earlier. Not called, although it was called on the Dolphins against Mahomes. Almost everyone would be fine if that wasn’t called, but if you’re going to call it on one, you have to call it consistently across the board.
Washington wideout Stefon Diggs was called for offensive pass interference in the second half, and it was not even close. Another drive-killer.
Now, let’s go back to those 17 nullified touchdowns. Washington had one in Week 2 that was easily a touchdown. Brown had one knee and control of the football. Even after review, the officials said no touchdown. In each of the last two weeks, the Commanders have had a touchdown called back, including an 87-yard catch-and-run from rookie Antonio Williams last week.
Two officials got into altercations with players on the Cardinals and Vikings in separate games. They were suspended — and should have been.
You can’t blame officiating for everything. Washington has its own issues. We could go on for days there. However, when a team is operating with a makeshift offensive line and a seventh-round rookie quarterback, the other team doesn’t need additional help.
Will the NFL allow this to continue? Coaches and players aren’t allowed to complain about officiating, or they will face fines. What are the repercussions for NFL officials? It’s unfair for these coaches and players to prepare all week and compete, only to have officials keep getting it wrong. What’s the answer? The NFL needs to answer that, so don’t count on it.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL's officiating problem is off to a historic start in 2026
