NFL refs have set all-time record for flags this season, and it's changing the outcome of games

The NFL is on a historically high penalty pace.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.

This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.According to ESPN Insights, the league has recorded more accepted penalties through Week 4 this season than in any other season since play-by-play data became available in 1978.Week 4 was especially severe.Officials assessed 271 accepted penalties, the second-highest total for any week over that span.

That's around 17 accepted penalties per game.Detail view of a penalty flag during a football game on Nov.7, 2024 in Baltimore, Md.

(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)BOMANI JONES CALLS JOSH ALLEN A 'MORON' FOR COSTLY INTERCEPTION, WHILE DEFENDING LAMAR JACKSON FOR SAME THINGSharp Football Analysis provided additional context on Tuesday.According to its analysis, officials are flagging offenses at the highest per-snap rate through four weeks of any season since 2000, at 6.18 penalties per 100 snaps.The increase is also occurring at particularly consequential points in games.

Officials have set early-season records for accepted flags thrown in the red zone and on third and fourth downs in the second half.These penalties aren't merely disrupting drives.They are erasing points.So far this season, penalties have nullified 17 touchdowns.

At the same point last year, that number was five.In 2024, it was four.To be clear, an accepted penalty does not mean officials made the correct call.Last week, Rams coach Sean McVay said the NFL privately acknowledged that officials incorrectly called defensive pass interference against Los Angeles in the closing moments of its Week 3 loss to Denver, nullifying an interception.

Without the flag, the interception would've won the Rams the game.Instead, Denver retained possession and capitalized on the erroneous call to win.That example illustrates the larger problem.NFL referee Adrian ...