Ravens, NFL fans livid with spate of illegal formation calls in opener: ‘All nonsense’

It was laundry day in the first half of the NFL season opener.

The Ravens were whistled for four illegal formation penalties in the first half — and three on the first drive — of their game against the defending champion Chiefs, a rematch of last season’s AFC title game.

Three of the four penalties were on left tackle Ronnie Stanley.

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The Ravens were penalized seven times in total in the half.

“John Harbaugh has, uh, had enough,” NBC play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico said when the fourth illegal formation penalty on the Ravens was called.

“It can’t be fun to be that referee making that call when Harbaugh is standing right next to them,” color commentator Cris Collinsworth responded.

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The NFL has put an increased emphasis on linemen lining up in proper formation coming into this season, and the Ravens had some personnel turnover on their offensive line in the offseason, including trading veteran Morgan Moses to the Jets.

Nevertheless, it made for an aesthetically displeasing football viewership experience, and fans were calling out referee Shawn Hochuli.

“What does calling that illegal formation do for the game? Where did it come from? Not coaches. Not players. Who?” Sportsline betting analyst Thomas Casale wrote on X.

“Teams have been running it one way for 100 years. It’s all nonsense. Just play freaking football.”