In gridiron football, roughing the passer is a foul in which a defensive player makes illegal contact with the quarterback after the latter has thrown a forward pass.
[9] During the team's next game against Washington in Week 3, Matthews landed with his full body weight on quarterback Alex Smith and was penalized for the act.
[11][12] During the 2022 NFL season, the league's roughing the passer rules were once called into question in the aftermath of a concussion to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during a Week 4 Thursday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Referee Jerome Boger explained that he called the penalty because he perceived that Jarrett swung Brady to the ground unnecessarily.
Had there been no penalty, Tampa Bay would have likely punted the ball back to Atlanta, who would have had the chance to win the game with a touchdown and extra point.
Instead, the penalty awarded 15 yards and a fresh set of downs to the Buccaneers, who ran out the clock some plays later.
On a third down at the Las Vegas 46-yard line, Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones strip sacked Las Vegas quarterback Derek Carr and recovered the fumble as he tackled Carr, but Jones was penalized for roughing the passer.
Referee Carl Cheffers explained that he called the penalty because he perceived that Jones landed with his full body weight on Carr.
[18] Had there been no penalty, Kansas City would have had possession of the football at their opponent's 43-yard line with adequate time to narrow the deficit to three points.
Instead, the penalty awarded 15 yards and a fresh set of downs to the Raiders, who extended the lead to 13 points after the ensuing plays.