Refs rob Buccaneers of huge touchdown vs. Ravens with controversial penalty call

The first quarter of Monday Night Football couldn't have started any better for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In a difficult matchup between two heavyweights, the Bucs hosted the Baltimore Ravens who are home to a pair of potential MVP candidates in quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. But, Tampa Bay has one of their own in quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Speaking of Mayfield, he and the offense marched right down the field after winning the coin toss. Mayfield hit wide receiver Mike Evans for his 100th career touchdown, and things were absolutely rolling.

As if it couldn't get any better to begin with, the Bucs defense went on to sack Jackson twice on the Ravens' first drive and forced Baltimore to punt.

On Tampa Bay's second possession, Mayfield and the offense marched down the field yet again and, for a moment, it appeared as though the Bucs were about to go up 14-0. Mayfield hit wide receiver Chris Godwin for a touchdown but, before Godwin and his teammates could start celebrating, a penalty flag was thrown.

The refs called a holding penalty on left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who hadn't been flagged for holding since Week 16 of 2022. So, the fact that there was a holding call on Wirfs was a bit of a shock to us all; either Wirfs is actually human, or the refs made a big mistake.

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As it turns out, based on the video evidence you can see here, this was a flat-out horrendous call. Forget "controversial" or "polarizing," if you will. This wasn't a good call, whatsoever. Maybe, just maybe, it could have gone either way. But, based on the reactions, it was far from a concrete call by the officials.

Just take the following reactions, for example. These are a few of many similar sentiments offered across social media in regards to the Wirfs penalty.

Fans and media react on social media to the phantom Tristan Wirfs holding call

Even Mr. Trey Wingo agrees. It wasn't holding.

Aaron is saying what every Bucs fan was thinking.

The best way to put it, honestly ... a "phantom" call, indeed.

That's one way to put it ... not sure on the narrative, but it was indeed painted.

No, no it is not.

Yes, yes it is.

So, even a Ravens fan admits it! That settles it, once and for all. It was not holding on Wirfs, period.