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JJ Watt doesn't understand Boye Mafe Bengals-Ravens penalty
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- JJ Watt doesn't understand Boye Mafe Bengals-Ravens penalty
CBS color analyst JJ Watt strongly disagreed with a personal-foul call of a low block on third down against Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Boye Mafe during the second quarter of their NFL Week 7 rout of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
"Mafe is flagged for that one ," play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz said during the broadcast. "That's big as they were about to take the Ravens off the field."
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"This is really interesting because Mafe gets cut by Derrick Henry," Watt said. "So then he falls into the offensive lineman. ... What's he supposed to do to avoid that? He got cut, and he's falling down."
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trey Hendrickson (91) walks to the coin toss before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) breaks away with a catch for a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) breaks away with a catch for a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown (75) defends against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trey Hendrickson (91) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs with the ball as the pocket collapses in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) throws from deep in Ravens territory in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) is knocked to the ground as he throws in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor looks on in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) scrambles in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) comes off the field as the Bengals prepare to punt the ball away in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja'kobi Lane (6) catches a pass in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) prepares to throw in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs with a catch in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) kicks a field goal in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) scrambles in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) runs to the outside in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shouts to officials before calling a timeout after a penalty in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shouts to officials before calling a timeout after a penalty in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) is stopped on a run in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) kicks a field goal to put the Ravens up by 13 in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase (1) walks for the locker room as time expires in the first half of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
The US Navy sky diving team performs before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers (81) takes the field before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase (1) takes the field before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) warms up before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trey Hendrickson (91) walks to the coin toss before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trey Hendrickson (91) walks to the coin toss before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) breaks away with a catch for a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) breaks away with a catch for a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown (75) defends against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trey Hendrickson (91) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs with the ball as the pocket collapses in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) throws from deep in Ravens territory in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) is knocked to the ground as he throws in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor looks on in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) scrambles in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) comes off the field as the Bengals prepare to punt the ball away in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja'kobi Lane (6) catches a pass in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) prepares to throw in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs with a catch in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) kicks a field goal in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) scrambles in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) runs to the outside in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shouts to officials before calling a timeout after a penalty in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shouts to officials before calling a timeout after a penalty in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) is stopped on a run in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) kicks a field goal to put the Ravens up by 13 in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase (1) walks for the locker room as time expires in the first half of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
The US Navy sky diving team performs before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers (81) takes the field before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase (1) takes the field before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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Best Photos from Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 7 Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) warms up before the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
"And Zac Taylor's making that exact point," Nantz added.
"As a defensive player myself, I honestly do not know what you expect me to do in that situation," Watt added.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Boye Mafe (53) gets a hand on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (5) as he scrambles in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The Bengals scored 35 points in the second half to win 35-13 on the road.
"(Taylor) is calling a timeout now," Nantz said. " He is irate over that call."
"If that block causes him to go into and low on that offensive player, they would absolve him of that contact," rules analyst Gene Steratore said. "If they deem that he now is moving on his own volition even after that block in lowering himself on his own, then they would say this is a low block. When he's standing and then he lunges forward like that, this judgment of this official is he's going low on his own even though there was some contact on the front end."
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"I get the letter of the law," Watt said. "Whatever it may be there. But we talk about roughing the passer and guys having to contort their body at full speed. He gets cut block by the other guy. He gets tripped and is falling and now you want him to try - I'm sorry, that's very difficult to do."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: JJ Watt doesn't understand Boye Mafe Bengals-Ravens penalty
