Aaron Donald's Wife Rips Referees: 'Horrible' Officiating in Los Angeles Rams Loss to Steelers

Aaron Donald's Wife Erica Rips Referees: 'Horrible' Officiating in Los Angeles Rams Loss

There is no fan of the Los Angeles Rams - and maybe no fan in the NFL outside of a Pittsburgh Steelers follower - who is going to disagree much with what the wife of Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is saying about the shoddy officiating in Week 7. ... especially as the Rams lost to the Steelers 24-17 in Week 7.

“Refs need to be fined for poor play calls,'' Erica Donald tweeted in review of the loss. "This is getting out of hand. Maybe if they start having consequences they'll officiate better … about every game I've seen this season has had at least 1 horrible call. In some cases it's changed the trajectory of the game.''

Controversy was indeed in play in the Rams' loss to the Steelers. The Rams figured to have one more chance to tie the game late when they stopped Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett short of the first down on a sneak on the Rams' 38-yard line. 

And they did stop Pickett, as television replays seemed to show clearly that Pickett was short of the first down. But ... The refs saw it otherwise, allowed the Steelers to keep the ball, and played a roll in the Rams being handed their fourth loss of the season.

Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Donald

The rules don't allow for a challenge any time a team wants one; Rams head coach Sean McVay was out of timeouts, so he was powerless. The fourth-down play also occurred in a way that made it ineligible for a booth review. ... so "the eye in the sky'' was powerless.

Sean McVay Sounds Off On Controversial 4th Down Spot in Loss to Steelers

In fairness, to the refs, they didn't lose the game; Los Angeles had a 17-10 lead entering the third quarter but the Rams got pushed around late and gave up two rushing touchdowns to the Steelers in the fourth quarter. ... all while failing to answer with another score themselves.

But that doesn't make Erica Donald wrong; there is a chorus now, as much as ever, of smart voices insisting that NFL officiating is at an all-time low. At the same time, there is a job to do, as Aaron Donald and the Rams go to Dallas in Week 8 to take on the 4-2 Cowboys ... with all hoping that the teams, and not the zebras, decide the outcome.