Fans have beef with NFL rules after Ravens’ interception was overturned

NFL fans were not too happy with the officials’ decision to overturn an interception by Brandon Stephens late in the first half of Thursday night’s battle between the Bengals and the Ravens.

Joe Burrow was looking for a receiver in the end zone, but Stephens baited the Bengals’ quarterback and then got in front of the pass for what appeared to be an interception.

There had been some question if he had been able to make the catch inbounds and after the officials reviewed the play it was ruled an incomplete pass since he didn’t get two feet down inbounds.

Brandon Stephens’ interception was overturned on Nov. 7. Screengrab via X/@NFLonPrime
While the replay seemed to confirm that decision, football fans felt upset that one foot was able to get down twice and argued it should have counted for a catch.

“SAME FOOT TWICE = TWO FEET,” Warren Sharp wrote on X.

“Terrible f–king call , another game changing wrong call that completely changes the game and they score a TD Every. Single. Week. Bad calls after bad calls,” another person wrote on social media.

“How many feet does he need in? Three? Four?” a third person asked.

Brandon Stephens is pictured during a press conference following the Ravens’ game against the Browns on Oct. 27. AP
“The NFL officials overturning the Brandon Stephens interception is absolutely insanity I hate this sport,” another X user chimed in.

To add insult to injury for the Ravens, the Bengals scored with 30 seconds left in the half when Burrow completed a short three-yard pass to Tanner Hudson to take a 14-7 lead after the extra point.

That’s how the Bengals and Ravens went into the locker room at halftime, and Cincinnati extended its lead to two touchdowns after scoring early in the third quarter before the Ravens attempted to mount a comeback.

But the Ravens stormed back with a strong second half, winning a thriller 35-34.

Will McDonald IV’s Jets breakout has him dreaming of sack history

Will McDonald IV was a man on a mission over the offseason, and the mission is greatness.

McDonald hired a chef and one trainer for strength and one for agility and his breakout season has him third in the NFL in sacks (eight) behind Trey Hendrickson (11) and Dexter Lawrence (nine).

It allows Will McDonald IV to dream.

Will McDonald IV celebrates during the Jets’ win over the Patriots on Sept. 19. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“My goal is at least 20,” he told The Post. “Definitely aiming for 20 or more to break that sack record.”

Mark Gastineau holds the Jets franchise record with 22. Michael Strahan and T. J. Watt share the NFL record with 22.5.

Even with Haason Reddick on the other side of the D-line now, few would consider McDonald’s lofty goal realistic with only eight games remaining. He’s not one of the few.

Will McDonald IV is pictured during the Jets’ practice on Sept. 7. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
“They’re gonna stack up each week,” he said. “I’m not really too worried about it as long as we get the win, but those are gonna come.”

McDonald has enjoyed a breakout season following a rookie season (three sacks) with limited opportunities.

Asked if he had something to prove, he said, “Not much to prove myself, just to try to be great. That’s ultimately what I’m striving for, it’s to try to be great, not good. … I have full confidence in being 100 percent great.”

McDonald has bulked up from the high 230s to 245-248 pounds.

“I think regardless whether I’m small or big,” he said, “I’m gonna still do the same thing.”

Mark Gastineau, pictured during a 1983 game, holds the Jets’
single-season record for sacks with 22. Getty Images
His spin move is deadly.

“It’s just something I perfected,” he said. “I actually didn’t use it that much in college [Iowa State], but coming into the league, that’s just something that I perfected.”

It is easier for him now to convert speed to power.

T. J. Watt, pictured this season, tied Michael Strahan’s NFL sacks record with 22.5 during the 2021 campaign. Getty Images
“It’s easier for me to do a lot of things because now I could have tackles on their heels because I’m out there getting more opportunities to go against ’em,” McDonald said. “Just make ’em think, ‘Alright, is he gonna do this? Is he gonna do that?’ rather than just coming in one time, then getting one rep, then switching sides, blah blah, this and that. Now I can have people on their heels and I could play off of that.”

The Jets aren’t hesitant to line up McDonald on either side.

“It doesn’t even matter which side I’m on,” McDonald said. “I just want to always make sure that I keep tackles on their heels.”

Will McDonald IV chases Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during the Jets’ game on Oct. 31. AP
Defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton was asked about the biggest strides McDonald has made this season.

“How much time you got?” he said. “Obviously, No. 1 is his maturity and his professionalism. Not that he was unprofessional or he was never an issue-type of player last season. But just learning the game, stepping up his preparation off the field, and this was without any fanfare — he’s not a social media guy, look at me, look what I’m doing.”

Whitecotton mentions the chef and the trainers and adds: “He’s changed his body. He’s learning the game, he’s learning the scheme, he’s at a much higher level. In the Pittsburgh game, we weren’t totally on the same page on one of the third downs, in terms of the D-line, we were trying to get a game set up. And he realized what was going on, and he fixed it, and we were alright.”

McDonald’s target Sunday against the Cardinals is the elusive Kyler Murray.

“Rushing the passer is something you can’t teach,” D.J. Reed told The Post. “Some guys just have a knack, have that bendability, that explosiveness to just beat offensive linemen, and he has that, like his spin move, pretty unstoppable. He has more moves than that, but, like, that’s his bread and butter.”

There were criticisms of Jets GM Joe Douglas for drafting McDonald with the 15th pick of the 2023 draft with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba still on the board.

Get the insider’s view on Gang Green

Sign up for Inside the Jets by Brian Costello, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.

Thank you

“Guys were saying like, ‘Oh, we should have drafted this this this,’ just fans and stuff. ‘Oh, we didn’t need a defensive end.’ But you see him leading the league in sacks, or up there. I’m happy for him,” Reed said.

McDonald also has two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as he improves setting the edge.

“We felt like going through the draft process that he was a perfect fit for what we do,” Whitecotton said.

McDonald wears Gastineau’s old 99.

Just sayin.’