The New York Jets' defense limited the undefeated Minnesota Vikings to a season-low 4.8 yards per pass, but not without being called for multiple drive-extending penalties while dropping back into coverage.
In particular, All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner was flagged for three different infractions in the second quarter alone. The Vikings benefitted from defensive pass interference, illegal contact and defensive holding by Gardner on three separate snaps.
"Obviously, we got quite a few calls, quite a few pass interferences that were called on us., It's our job to play. The refs make calls. Ain't nobody perfect," said Gardner after the 23-17 loss in London.
The first flag flew on a 3rd-and-12 from Jets' 47-yard line. As a pass intended for Justin Jefferson fell incomplete, Gardner was found guilty of illegal contact that gave the Vikings a fresh set of downs.
On Minnesota's next possession, the officials penalized Gardner twice in the red zone after slapping DJ Reed with a defensive pass interference violation.
"There was one on DJ I thought was a legit penalty, but it was probably more illegal contact or holding, not a DPI. The rest of them, I don't understand them. I need clarification from the NFL officiating team," said head coach Robert Saleh.
The Vikings, who were held to a season-low 253 yards of offense, recorded five first downs via penalty.
Minnesota targeted Jefferson again on 2nd-and-10 from Jets' 13, drawing a pass interference penalty on Gardner to move the ball down to the 2. Two snaps later, on 2nd-and-goal from the 4, Gardner was hit with a defensive holding call. The Vikings scored on the next play.
In a report by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler this past summer, an executive called out Gardner for being too handsy in pass coverage.
"One of the most overrated players in the league. You could call holding on him every play," said the unnamed evaluator.
Saleh would disagree, but Sunday's results suggest that executive may have been onto something.
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