Questionable officiating has plagued the NFL lately, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have felt it more than most. Quarterback Baker Mayfield voiced his frustration after the Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions. Now, following another officiating controversy in the win over the New Orleans Saints, head coach Todd Bowles is taking a firmer stance.

During the second quarter, a phantom whistle appeared to nullify safety Antoine Winfield Jr.’s touchdown. He had recovered a fumble forced by cornerback Jamel Dean. “He had a hell of a day,” Bowles said of Winfield. While the turnover stood, the touchdown did not, as referee Ron Torbert ruled the play had been whistled dead.

But there was seemingly no whistle. “I’m still pissed off over some of it,” the coach said of what appeared to be a mistake. “We gotta do something,” he added, delivering a strong six-word message: We’ll discuss that with the league.”

The FOX broadcast replay showed there was no whistle, with commentators Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma both agreeing on it. So, if this is true, the officials have ruined a TD chance for the safety. The Buccaneers secured a 23-3 win, but the officiating error still left a sour note.

It’s understandable why Coach Bowles wants to address it and involve the league. After all, there have been quite a few officiating issues this season. One was seen at the Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants game.

On fourth-and-1 near the Giants’ 10-yard line, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts attempted a “tush push” but had the ball stripped by Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux. Officials blew the whistle for forward progress, even though Hurts wasn’t down and Thibodeaux had clearly recovered the ball.

Since forward progress rulings cannot be challenged, the Eagles retained possession. Despite knowing this, Giants head coach Brian Daboll threw a challenge flag anyway, resulting in a lost timeout and no review.

Earlier, the league acknowledged that kicker Will Reichard’s missed field goal had struck a wire, but they did not adjust the official statistics.

As for the Buccaneers, their quarterback expressed dissatisfaction with officiating just a few days ago.

Baker Mayfield called out the officials after a 24-9 loss to the Lions

Mayfield didn’t mince words during his post-game press conference, calling out several officiating issues from the Week 7 loss. One notable instance occurred in the fourth quarter.

Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton caught a fourth-down pass near the first-down marker and stretched toward the line. It was initially ruled a first down. After the Lions challenged the call, officials reviewed it and upheld the spot, only to reverse it on a second look.

“Third-down defensive holding call that wasn’t called, also still pretty damn confused about the double review,” Mayfield said during the interview. The reversal gave possession back to Detroit. “A lot of things in that game that were a little questionable,” Mayfield added.

“Lot of frustration at the end of that, might be displaced onto John Hussey in the moment. I work my ass off and put a lot into this game, so when things that I don’t see (as) fair, I’m going to let somebody know. That’s good, bad, indifferent.”

With head coach Bowles expected to take an active role in addressing the concerns, it remains to be seen whether officiating improves or meaningful accountability follows.