Jets react to 'costly' roughing the passer penalty: 'It was a terrible call'

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Another controversial roughing the passer call has raised concerns in Week 8 of the NFL, this time working against the New York Jets. 

During Sunday's 22-17 loss to the New England Patriots, running back Michael Carter’s 84-yard pick-six was called back after defensive end John Franklin-Myers was flagged for roughing the passer. 

John Franklin-Myers of the New York Jets celebrates a sack against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 30, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Head coach Robert Saleh called it a "costly penalty" during his post game presser and said the reason the penalty was called was because Mac Jones was "hit too hard." 

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"JFM’s got to be better. It doesn’t matter. Do something. It’s 17-3 going into the locker room to 10-6 and they got the ball, lapped us, scored another touchdown – just a critical exchange," he said. "We can say it’s JFM’s fault. We can blame the – it doesn’t matter. It happened. And at the end of the day, we’ve just got to be better."

New York Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers, left, and defensive end Carl Lawson put a late hit on New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Quarterback Zach Wilson, who struggled in his first ever 300-yard game, was more direct with his opinion of the call. 

"Yeah, it was a terrible call, but that’s football. It happens all the time." 

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Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins called it "a huge, momentum-shifting play." 

"No matter when it happens in the game, no matter any of that. Obviously [we] want that play to happen, to stand and be a huge play for us. But [we] can’t dwell on it. It happened right before the half, we’ve still got to come out, we’ve still got a whole other half to play."

New England Patriots place kicker Nick Folk is congratulated after kicking a field goal against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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Franklin-Myers was more reserved when talking about the call but did admit that he won’t adjust his game.  

"As a defensive lineman, the way the league’s going, you can’t play any slower. Whatever, they called it so you gotta live with it," he said. "As a player, I can’t slow down… I have to make plays. That’s my job and that’s their job to call those fouls if they think that’s what it is. They do their job." 

The Jets dropped to 5-3 and go on next to face the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 6.