Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press
Late last season, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was frustrated by the three offensive holding penalties his line took in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Obviously there’s holding on every play in the N.F.L.,” he said, fuming. So far this season, it appears N.F.L. officials agree.
There have been 228 offensive holding calls through the first three weeks of the season, 60 more than at this point in 2018.
This drastic increase from a season ago prompted a conference call among the league’s officials on Saturday night.