NFL's most debated Week 3 call has people wondering how to defy gravity when hitting Patrick Mahomes, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/nfl-most-debated-week-3-call-people-wondering-how-defy-gravity-hitting-patrick-mahomes)

The article focuses on a controversial roughing the passer penalty called against Miami Dolphins edge rusher Chop Robinson during their Week 3 game against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Play in Question

During the game, Robinson pressured Mahomes, forcing an incomplete throw out of the end zone. As Robinson tackled Mahomes, he landed on him. Despite attempting to brace his fall, the referee flagged Robinson for roughing the passer under the rule prohibiting defenders from landing on a quarterback with all or most of their body weightoften referred to in the rulebook context as “stuffing” a passer into the ground.

Why It Sparked Debate

The core criticism raised in the piece highlights the unrealistic physical expectations placed on pass rushers:

• The “Defying Gravity” Issue: Critics, players, and analysts argue that once a defender commits to a tackle and is airborne or in motion, it is physically impossible to freeze mid-air or alter momentum to avoid landing on the quarterback.

• Subjective Officiating: NFL Rule 12, Section 2, Article 11 gives officials broad discretion to penalize hits they judge unwarranted. Even though Robinson noted after the game that he did what he was taught by trying to brace with his hands and arms, the official determined he still came down too hard on Mahomes.

• Player Reactions: Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks defended his teammate, stating Robinson did nothing wrong and that defensive players simply cannot control how gravity acts in those split-second collisions. Even Mahomes acknowledged after the game that Robinson got him cleanly and that it was just part of football.

The article ultimately argues that the league’s quarterback protection rules, while intended for player safety, have reached a point where defenders are essentially expected to defy physics, creating constant frustration over subjective penalty calls.