The first Monday Night Football game of the year couldn't have ended in more thrilling fashion with the Aaron Rodgers-less Jets pulling off a stunning victory on an overtime punt return touchdown.
But it also wouldn't be the start of NFL season without some refereeing controversy.
Xavier Gipson's 65-yard return gave the Jets the win, but rules analyst John Parry thought a flag should have been thrown for tripping, which would have wiped out the return.
Have a look:
Missed tripping call???
— Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) September 12, 2023
Jets; Bills; Monday Night Football; pic.twitter.com/CxGqgd2pQZ
What is the NFL tripping rule?
Tripping is defined as "the use of the leg or foot to obstruct any opponent." It is illegal.
One of the reasons the rules analyst might have been pointing out the potential infraction is the NFL made it a point of clarification this year. The league reclassified the penalty into a personal foul, which would warrant a 15-yard penalty. Players can also be subject to additional discipline from the league for tripping even if a flag is not thrown.
The big question on the Jets call is interpretation. Yes, the blocker's foot obstructed the opponent, but was that obvious enough tripping to warrant a flag? Was it incidental? The refs on the field kept their flags in their pockets.
NFL Twitter could not care less about Jets tripping no-call
Whether or not the refs got it right, NFL Twitter was on board with the no-call.
That supposed missed tripping call on the punt return is not nearly as blatant and clear as John Parry was making it out to be.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 12, 2023
That wouldve been a very very ticky tack tripping call. Lets relax on that Mr Ref Specialist Guy.
— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) September 12, 2023
Get the ref announcer off the camera talking about tripping. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
— Jeff Hansen (@rakoto10) September 12, 2023
The rules analyst telling us it should have been a penalty for tripping… pic.twitter.com/L3U5d1TFZh
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) September 12, 2023
They not calling a tripping call on the jets punt return td in Ot on 9/11 at home big bruh. pic.twitter.com/dLUsxftuLy
— Tony X (@soIoucity) September 12, 2023
“There was a missed tripping call”
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) September 12, 2023
America: pic.twitter.com/F0B3lSwqqI
The Jets lost Aaron Rodgers to what might be a season-ending Achilles injury after just four plays. So the night didn't exactly start with any amount of luck for New York.
And after Zach Wilson managed to lead the offense to just three points in the first half, things looked dire for New York.
But the defense held firm throughout the game, forcing Josh Allen into four turnovers to keep the Jets in it. Despite a 13-3 halftime deficit, New York fought back to take a three-point lead with just under two minutes to play. The Bills hit back with a field goal to force overtime with two seconds remaining.
Wilson and the Jets offense were not need in the extra period. After the defense got another stop, Gipson produced some special teams magic to win the game.