Clyde Edwards-Helaire was flagged after scoring for the Chiefs against the Cowboys, as the taunting rule came into the spotlight once again.
The Dallas Cowboys trailed the Kansas City Chiefs 16-3 in the second quarter of their clash at Arrowhead Stadium, and their task in fighting back was made harder as they were left to try to compose themselves following a vicious taunt from Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Edwards-Helaire made the rash decision to point at a defender as he strolled into the end zone to give the Chiefs a two-score lead, with the referees unsurprisingly punishing the running back with a 15-yard penalty.
Chiefs latest victims of NFL’s taunting rule
All sarcasm aside, the flag thrown against Edwards-Helaire for the tamest of infractions is just the latest example of how absurd the enforcement of the taunting rule has become during the 2021 season.
The only thing good about this ridiculous taunting rule is you can imagine @NFLOfficiating sobbing watching this play pic.twitter.com/AU63cHI0zQ
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 21, 2021
The NFL made the move to make taunting a point of emphasis, but the result of that decision has been soft penalties that detract from the spectacle of the sport.
As expected, the internet and NFL Twitter was quick to respond in the expected fashion after the latest bizarre taunting penalty during the premier game of Week 11.
My son just saw that Clyde Edwards-Helaire point and now he’s addicted to drugs
Set a better example @NFL
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) November 21, 2021
The penalty had no impact on the Chiefs, who dominated the first half on both sides of the ball, their defense slowing down a usually potent Cowboys offense with a swarming performance from a pass rush often conspicuous by its absence this season.
Perhaps this week will mark the start of a substantial upturn in fortunes for the Chiefs on defense, or perhaps the Cowboys struggled to recover from the impact of Edwards-Helaire’s ‘taunt’. Either way, the NFL rulebook has once again become an unnecessary talking point after a quite ridiculous flag.
