Clay Matthews has seemingly become the poster boy for the NFL’s new roughing the passer rules, and football fans are in an uproar over it.
Matthews on Sunday was flagged for roughing the passer for the third consecutive week, and the general consensus has been that what he did should not constitute a penalty. Matthews did not make helmet-to-helmet contact with Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith or hit him in an area he shouldn’t have, but the Packers star did land on Smith with his body weight, which is now considered roughing the passer.
#Packers Clay Matthews now has 3 weeks in a row with roughing the passer called against him.pic.twitter.com/LSfPmHKMW3
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 23, 2018
The rule was applied properly, but most football fans and many players hate it. For evidence of that, look no further than Twitter:
Dear Clay Matthews,
This is how you properly take down a quarterback. pic.twitter.com/29njG4rwC5
— Marcas Grant (@MarcasG) September 23, 2018
Clay Matthews was running directly at Alex Smith, tackled him and landed on him. There was no way not to land on him. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers was spun to the ground and thrown down earlier with no call. There has to be a consistent standard.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) September 23, 2018
Clay Matthews = Not allowed to play football.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 23, 2018
It's physically impossible for Clay Matthews to make the sack here without falling on Alex Smith… This is a bad rule @NFL pic.twitter.com/X6OFkv1E0W
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 23, 2018
Just saw the Clay Matthews alleged roughing the passer. What are we doing here?
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 23, 2018
Clay Matthews going to just going to have to try with the shove sack, can't tackle anymore
— Robert Littal (@BSO) September 23, 2018
This is just unfair – to Clay Matthews and all pass rushers!!! QBs today are playing flag football, while it’s tackle for the other 21 guys. When comparing today’s QBs’ stats to those of yesteryear, remember that!!!
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) September 23, 2018
Clay Matthews may have to retire too, cause the poor guy literally can’t do his job without getting flagged
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) September 23, 2018
Just watched the replay of the flagged Clay Matthews hit. My conclusion:
The NFL is accelerating toward extinction, or two-hand touch.
— Brad Evans (@YahooNoise) September 23, 2018
Matthews was flagged for a similar hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins last week, and it negated an interception that likely would have sealed a win for Green Bay. The NFL may have to address the rule going forward.
