Jets Offensive Coordinator Accuses Refs of Favoritism Toward Cowboys in Controversial Loss

New York, NY – October 6, 2025

Jets Offensive Coordinator Tanner Engstrand publicly criticized NFL officials after Sunday’s 37–22 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys, claiming multiple missed calls directly changed the outcome of the game.

Engstrand submitted an official report to the league office highlighting three officiating errors that he called “unacceptable and damaging to the integrity of competition.”

In the third quarter, a pass from Justin Fields to Garrett Wilson clearly struck the

SkyCam cable, which by rule (Rule 8, Section 1, Article 4) should result in a dead ball and replay of the down. Referee Ron Torbert ruled it incomplete, forcing a Jets punt deep in Cowboys territory — a sequence Engstrand argued “robbed us of a touchdown opportunity.”

Later, in overtime, Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. delivered a late hit on Fields after a throw — a textbook

roughing the passer that went uncalled. The non-call led to a Jets punt and set up Dallas’s 64-yard game-winning field goal.

Finally, after Jake Ferguson’s fourth-quarter touchdown, Cowboys lineman Nate Thomas appeared to taunt a Jets player near the sideline. Officials ignored the unsportsmanlike conduct, allowing Dallas to keep favorable field position.

Engstrand didn’t hold back after the game:
“I’ve beaten the Cowboys before — they’re nothing special without help from the refs. What we saw tonight wasn’t football; it was manipulation,”

he said. “If we let this slide, it’ll happen again.”

According to multiple reports (ESPN, Pro Football Network), the NFL is expected to review Torbert’s officiating crew for potential disciplinary action, citing

misapplication of rules and missed fouls in key moments that heavily benefited Dallas.