Clay Matthews is having a frustrating season.
For the third week in a row, the Packers linebacker was called for roughing the passer, this time when he sacked Redskins quarterback Alex Smith in the third quarter of Sunday's game.
Roughing the passer. Clay Matthews may actually kill a referee at this point pic.twitter.com/ta9zJqrAOO
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 23, 2018
Another look at the hit:
This is a foul for roughing the passer - the defender lands “with all or most of the defender’s weight” on the passer. Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9(b): https://t.co/s9YKN8NLuT #GBvsWAS pic.twitter.com/ei2QZkvvzx
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) September 23, 2018
Last week, Matthews was called for roughing the passer on what could have been a game-ending interception. That game, against the Vikings, eventually ended in a tie.
#Packers LB Clay Matthews appeared to catch himself with his left arm while taking down #Vikings QB Kirk Cousins on this play, but was still called for roughing the passer pic.twitter.com/5u4nYcQg7G
— Kevin Boilard (@247KevinBoilard) September 16, 2018
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Roughing the passer penalties called on Clay Matthews in his career:
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 23, 2018
2009-17 4
2018 3 pic.twitter.com/sJ3ZYYRxAM
Packers coach Mike McCarthy was livid.
#Packers HC Mike McCarthy almost went after the ref. He's pissed after Clay Matthews was called for roughing the passer (again).pic.twitter.com/jJygSJFuJR
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 23, 2018
And so were fans.
Dear Clay Matthews,
— Marcas Grant (@MarcasG) September 23, 2018
This is how you properly take down a quarterback. pic.twitter.com/29njG4rwC5
When NFL officials see Clay Matthews look at a Quarterback for too long: pic.twitter.com/BOzg9Ac6C1
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 23, 2018
Clay Matthews = Not allowed to play football.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 23, 2018
That’s a joke. Just an absolute joke. What the hell is Clay Matthews supposed to do? That’s football. Give me a break.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) September 23, 2018
This is roughing the passer, apparently.
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) September 23, 2018
Clay Matthews is no longer allowed to sack QBs. pic.twitter.com/Zp09o14gEx
NFL rule 15.1.4 subsection C clearly states the following: If Clay Matthews so much as looks at another human being, it's 15 yards.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 23, 2018
That is not a roughing the passer penalty. Clay Matthews has had two straight awful calls in the last two weeks. That is a clean hit. He should just retire. Just quit now. Pull a Vontae Davis. "My work here is done." Go home.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 23, 2018
Seriously, Clay Matthews is gonna have to start sacking QBs like this. pic.twitter.com/smN79X3Yay
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 23, 2018
How Clay Matthews is gonna have to start sacking QBs pic.twitter.com/tTybPrd9Nm
— Dan (@AtIantaDan) September 23, 2018
Not sure what Clay Matthews can do at this point. pic.twitter.com/BpRk6aOEBY
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) September 23, 2018
How the hell is that a penalty on Clay Matthews??
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) September 23, 2018
How #Packers Clay Matthews is expected to tackle quarterbacks under new NFL rules: pic.twitter.com/y1Rc6mYt8f
— Olivia Caridi (@OliviaCaridi) September 23, 2018
🤔🤔🤔 this isn’t roughing the passer? But Clay Matthews making a textbook form tackle is? K. pic.twitter.com/CICM6R7nMJ
— Brennan Moore (@BrennanM01) September 23, 2018
Clay Matthews vs roughing the passer calls might be the greatest rivalry in sports rn pic.twitter.com/7IR6NWGB8E
— Harrison Klopp (@HarrisonKlopp) September 23, 2018