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ESPN rules analyst calls out NFL officials over controversial false start penalty

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/30/25griffin_mcveigh
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(Kirby Lee)

This play might not wind up being consequential when it comes to Monday’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos. However, the entire ESPN on ABC broadcast booth did not understand how the officials threw a flag on this play. It was a false start called on Broncos center Ted Karras on a 4th and 2, moving them back five yards.

Looking at the replay, Elliss does move his head up after looking back at quarterback Jake Browning. Play-by-play commentator Joe Buck said, “I don’t agree with that call at all.” Troy Aikman then left it to the professional, calling in ESPN rules analyst Russell Yurk. Even he is not sure why a flag was thrown.

“It doesn’t look like it’s terribly abrupt to me,” Yurk said. “It is a point of emphasis right now when the center makes an abrupt motion without snapping the ball. They are calling it. But I don’t think that was very abrupt.”

Cincinnati would instead line up to punt the ball back to Denver, hoping to maintain its 3-0 lead. However, the defense went on to give up a nine-play, 64-yard touchdown drive in just over four minutes. The Broncos got their first lead of the day, possibly because of the phantom false start penalty called by the officials.

Head coach Zac Taylor knows a difficult task is ahead of him Monday night. The Bengals are without quarterback Joe Burrow and the Broncos possess one of the top offenses in the league, even as quarterback Bo Nix looks to get back on the right track. Based on the touchdown drive, he appears primed to have a nice game.

Cincinnati Bengals enduring tough start to NFL season

Things were going well for the Bengals early in the season. For the first time in his NFL career, Burrow walked off the field in an opener with a victory. Going 2-0 was the next week’s goal and actually accomplished but at a big cost. Burrow got turf toe, requiring surgery, and keeping him out for a few months.

Now, Browning gets another chance to be the team’s starting quarterback. Almost nothing went to play against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, losing 48-10. The Bengals almost never had a chance from the beginning, struggling right out of the gates. Thankfully, there is still plenty of time against the Broncos to respond and bring the overall record to 3-1.