Mike Vrabel doesn't mince words on controversial officiating after falling prey to Josh Allen's 21-point comeback performance

Mike Vrabel is calling out officials after his team's controversial 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The New England Patriots coach admits it’s not easy being a referee in the NFL. Speaking on The Greg Hill Show Monday, the former Super Bowl champion said among the things he has difficulty understanding are:

“The consistency, sometimes I struggle with it. I’ll say this: the Bills lead the NFL in offensive holds, and I’ll leave it at that,” Vrabel said (Time Stamp 0:04).

Vrabel says that he’s baffled how the Bills didn’t get flagged for a single offensive hold on Sunday. The former Tennessee Titans coach also took issue with a play involving Bills receiver Khalil Shakir and his cornerback, Marcus Jones. Officials controversially ruled that Shakir had made a catch against Jones, something Vrabel didn’t agree with.

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“I don’t think it was a catch. Whether we think that’s a PI, that’s their call,” Vrabel added (Time Stamp 1:05). “When you’re not playing the football and there’s perceived contact or whatever it may be, the margin for error goes way way down,” concluded Vrabel (Time Stamp 1:25).

The Patriots could have clinched the AFC East title had they hung onto their lead against the Bills on Sunday. New England went out to a 21-0 lead and was ahead in the fourth quarter before James Cook had an 11-yard touchdown run to complete the comeback for Buffalo. The Bills are now a game behind the Pats for the division with two games remaining.

The Patriots' most concerning aspect, according to Vrabel

While Vrabel, like many, wasased with the refs on Sunday, he didn’t shy away from his team's struggles defensively. The Patriots came into that game ranked last in the league in red-zone defense, allowing the highest touchdown percentage in the NFL when opponents are inside the 20-yard line.

That’s an element the former Patriots linebacker says they need to address.

“That’s concerning. We have to force teams to kick field goals when they do drive it on us,” said Vrabel.

The only time the Pats stopped them in that area of the field Sunday was a kneel down at the end of the game to secure the victory for Buffalo. Bills quarterback Josh Allen carved up the Pats defense, finishing 19/28 for 193 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Vrabel had spoken out in the buildup to Sunday’s game as being lebelled undabelled asby oddsmakers.

Overall, the Patriots rank seventh defensively in yards allowed per game with 300.1.

Edited by Joel Lefevre