Was Ryan's Tackle on Mixon Unnecessary Roughness?
The Cincinnati Bengals' 27-24 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills was a thrilling game, but one play in particular sparked controversy: a hit by Bengals defensive end Josh Tupou on Bengals running back Joe Mixon. The play, which occurred in the fourth quarter, saw Tupou deliver a fierce hit on Mixon, causing him to fumble the ball. While some saw it as a clean, hard-hitting play, others argued it was unnecessary roughness.
The Play in Question:
The play in question saw Mixon carrying the ball on a running play. As he approached the line of scrimmage, Tupou burst through and made a forceful tackle on Mixon. The impact was significant, forcing Mixon to fumble the ball.
Arguments for Unnecessary Roughness:
- Hitting a teammate: Critics of the hit argued that Tupou's tackle was excessively forceful, especially considering he was hitting a teammate.
- Intent to injure: Some felt that the play was more about inflicting pain than stopping the play, implying Tupou may have been trying to "send a message" to Mixon.
- Lack of control: The hit was seen as reckless by some, citing that Tupou's tackle could have caused serious injury.
Arguments Against Unnecessary Roughness:
- Forceful play: Supporters of Tupou's tackle argued that the hit was simply a forceful play by a defensive player trying to make a stop.
- Intensity of the game: The game was high stakes, and Tupou was likely playing with great intensity, leading to a more forceful tackle.
- No malicious intent: There was no evidence to suggest Tupou was trying to injure Mixon.
The Aftermath:
The play sparked debate amongst fans and analysts, but no penalty was called at the time. Ultimately, the game came down to a thrilling overtime finish, and the Bengals emerged victorious.
Concluding Thoughts:
The play by Josh Tupou on Joe Mixon was a controversial one, with arguments for both sides. While some saw it as a reckless and unnecessary hit, others argued it was a simply a hard-hitting play in a heated game. The lack of a flag from the officials suggests it wasn't deemed a penalty, but the debate surrounding the play highlights the subjective nature of such calls and the intensity of the game.
Keywords:
- Josh Tupou
- Joe Mixon
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Buffalo Bills
- Unnecessary Roughness
- NFL
- Football
- Controversy
- Tackle
- Hit
- Play
