Mike Vrabel spent Sunday’s win in Buffalo doing what he’s built a reputation for: pushing every edge he can find. The Patriots coach steered New England to its biggest victory of the season, a 34-30 comeback over the Bills, but he also found himself in the middle of a heated exchange with the officiating crew that led to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Vrabel didn’t try to dress it up afterward. He said the flag came after he let the referee know exactly what he thought of the call.
"I told him it was a terrible f- call," Vrabel told reporters postgame. "I've said that 87 times since I've been a head coach.
It was nothing derogatory. You'd have to ask him.
I think he was a little sensitive.
"I probably shouldn't have swore but, I can tell you that in my history of being on the sidelines as a head coach, I've said that."
The penalty had an immediate effect. It moved Buffalo 10 yards closer and reset the downs, and the Bills cashed in three plays later when Josh Allen sneaked across the goal line from short range to tie the game at 14.
Vrabel’s frustration was later backed up by the game’s officiating explanation. In the pool report released after the game, head referee Bill Vinovich said the Patriots coach came "out of the box", approached an official and called the defensive holding penalty on third-and-goal "a terrible f- call."
Vinovich said the profanity made the flag unavoidable.
Even so, the moment didn’t end up defining the afternoon for New England. Drake Maye and Efton Chism delivered late, and the Patriots walked out with a much-needed Week 4 win. Still, Vrabel will likely want to avoid giving officials any extra reason to reach for the flag as the season rolls on.
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