NFL world split on Riq Woolen's taunting penalty in NFC championship

January 25, 2026 Cosmopolite
NFL world split on Riq Woolen's taunting penalty in NFC championship

No one is happier that theSeattle Seahawkswon theNFC championship gamethan cornerbackRiq Woolen.

Woolen, a former fifth-round pick by theSeahawksand 2022 Pro Bowler, drew a flag late in the third quarter for taunting theLos Angeles Rams' sideline after breaking up a pass on third-and-12. The result of the penalty was 15 yards and a first down for Los Angeles.

The negative effects of Woolen's penalty were exacerbated when he allowed a 34-yard touchdown pass toRamsreceiverPuka Nacuaon the following play to pull within four points of Seattle.

Neither team scored for the rest of the game, so the Seahawks came away with a 31-27 victory. With Seattle's NFC title in hand, the fourth-year cornerback avoided the ignominy that would have come with making a poor decision that adversely affected his team's chance to win a game.

Did Woolen deserve to be penalized for the play? The taunting flag drew mixed reactions from fans and analysts on social media. Some criticized the officials for calling the controversial penalty in a game with high stakes, while others expressed frustration or disappointment in Woolen's actions after the play.

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Dec. 7, 2025: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) communicates between plays against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium. Despite a heavy snowfall, the Bills and Bengals played a high-scoring game, which was won by Buffalo, 39-34. Dec. 7, 2025: Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton (50) defends against a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. as snow falls at Huntington Bank Field. The Titans won the game, 31-29. Dec. 7, 2025: Heavy rain falls as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) hands the ball off to running back Sean Tucker for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Saints won the game, 24-20. Nov. 9, 2025: New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Snow fell at Soldier Field for much of the game, which the Bears won, 24-20. Jan. 19, 2025: Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during an AFC divisional playoff game. The Bills won the game, 27-25, in snowy and chilly conditions at Highmark Stadium. Jan. 19, 2025: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) prepares for a snap during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won the game, 28-22. Dec. 1, 2024: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) calls signals during a Nov. 21, 2024: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns during a Jan. 15, 2024: Snow covers Highmark Stadium before the AFC wild-card playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills. The Bills won the game, 31-17, after the contest was postponed a day due to a massive winter storm. Jan. 13, 2024: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins 26-7 in a wild-card playoff game with a temperature of minus-4 at kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium. Jan. 7, 2024: New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs the ball against the New England Patriots at snowy Gillette Stadium. The Jets won the game, 17-3. Dec. 31, 2023: Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) catches a 7-yard touchdown pass in front of Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III in the first half at snowy Soldier Field. The Bears won the game, 37-17. Dec. 17, 2023: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss during a game played in heavy rain at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won the game, 9-7. Jan. 22, 2023: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) leaps for a catch in the end zone against the Buffalo Bills in an AFC divisional playoff game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bengals won the game, 27-10. Dec. 24, 2022: Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in frigid conditions at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Saints won the game, 17-10. Dec. 17, 2022: Buffalo Bills players clear an area on the field to prepare for the game-winning field goal against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium. Tyler Bass' 25-yard field goal gave the Bills a 32-29 win. Dec. 17, 2022: Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens as snow falls during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won the game, 13-3. Jan. 22, 2022: San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould celebrates with teammate after kicking the game-winning field goal during the NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at cold and snowy Lambeau Field. Jan. 2, 2022: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by the Atlanta Falcons' Duron Harmon (21) and Kendall Sheffield (20) in the snow at Highmark Stadium. The Bills won the game, 29-15. Dec. 26, 2021: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive end Bilal Nichols (98) during the first quarter at snowy Lumen Field. The Bears won the game, 25-24. Nov. 14, 2021: Snow falls at Lambeau Field as Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon breaks a tackle by the Seattle Seahawks' D.J. Reed. The Packers won the game, 17-0. Oct. 24, 2021: The Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers play in a heavy rain at Levi's Stadium. Dec. 27, 2020: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scrambles for a first down before being tackled by Tennessee Titans linebacker Rashaan Evans in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Nov. 15, 2020: Rain falls during the game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won the game, 23-17. Oct. 25, 2020: Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) rushes for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. The Chiefs won the game, 43-16. Dec. 15, 2019: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won the game, 23-3. Dec. 1, 2019: Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs the ball in the snow against the New York Giants during a 31-13 win at MetLife Stadium. Dec. 1, 2019: The Baltimore Ravens' Chuck Clark (36) and Marlon Humphrey celebrate after forcing a fumble in a 20-17 win the rain against the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. Nov. 10, 2019: Snow falls during the fourth quarter of the Carolina Panthers-Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field. The Packers won, 24-16. Oct. 20, 2019: San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman (26) is tackled by Washington Redskins defensive back Troy Apke (30) while carrying the ball at FedExField. The 49ers won the game, 9-0. Jan. 12, 2019: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill dives for more yardage during an AFC divisional playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won the game, 31-13, for the team's first home playoff win in 25 years. Dec. 10, 2017: Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy runs past Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo in a snow storm at New Era Field. The Bills won in overtime, 13-7. Dec. 20, 2013: The Baltimore Ravens' Michael Oher (74), Marshal Yanda (73) and Gino Gradkowski stand on the snow-covered field during the national anthem before playing the Minnesota Vikings at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Ravens won the game, 29-26. Dec. 8, 2013: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell carries the ball as Miami Dolphins cornerback Dimitri Patterson (24) and defensive tackle Jared Odrick (98) pursue during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Dolphins won the game, 34-28. Dec. 8, 2013: Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) carries the ball against the Washington Redskins in the snow at FedEx Field. The Chiefs won the game, 45-10. Dec. 8, 2013: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson returns a punt against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won the game, 34-20. Sept. 25, 2011: Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams gets tackled by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers won the game, 16-10. Jan. 16, 2011: Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte attempts to jump into the end zone but is stopped short by the Seattle Seahawks during a 2010 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. The Bears won the game, 35-24. Dec. 20, 2010: Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield (26) breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears tight end Greg Olsen (82) during the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Bears defeated the Vikings, 40-14. Dec. 12, 2010: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady directs the offense against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Patriots won the game, 36-7. Jan. 3, 2010: A line judge watches play near the end zone of a snow covered field of play during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won the game, 30-7. Oct. 18, 2009: Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans -- dressed in the uniforms of the Houston Oilers -- leaves the field as the New England Patriots' Pierre Woods (58) and Mike Wright (99) converse at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won the game, 59-0. Dec. 21, 2008: New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel (16) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won the game, 47-7. Jan 20, 2008: New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin shouts to his team from the sidelines during the second quarter of the 2007 NFC Championship Game at Lambeau FIeld. The Giants beat the Packers, 23-20, in overtime. Jan. 12, 2008: The Green Bay Packers line up against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field. The Packers won the game, 42-20. Nov. 20, 2008: Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes reacts after a catch for a first down while playing the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 27-10. Dec. 16, 2007: Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor walks into the end zone after scoring the winning touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Jaguars won the game, 29-22. Nov. 26, 2007: Pittsburgh Steeler receiver Hines Ward tries to gain his footing after a catch against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 3-0. Feb. 4, 2007: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning scrambles out of the pocket against the Chicago Bears during Super Bowl XLI at Dolphins Stadium. The Colts won the game, 29-17, in the first Super Bowl played in the rain. Nov. 27, 2006: Seattle Seahawks quarterback (8) Matt Hasselbeck throws against the Green Bay Packers at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks went on to a 34-24 win on Dec. 11, 2005: Pittsburgh Steelers running back (36) Jerome Bettis runs against Chicago Bears at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 21-9. Nov. 28, 2004: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller (7) looks to pass against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game, 24-3. Dec. 12, 2004: Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee (21) carries the ball as Cleveland Browns linebacker Warrick Holdman attempts to make the tackle in the snow at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won the game, 37-7. Sept. 26, 2004: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis (36) is tackled by the Miami Dolphins' Jay Williams (91). The playing conditions were tough because of Hurricane Jeanne. The Steelers won the game, 13-3. Dec. 28, 2002: Oakland Raiders running back Zack Crockett (32) is tackled by the Kansas City Chiefs' Duane Clemons (99) during a game at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won the game, 24-0. Dec. 17, 2000: Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George attempts to move away from Cleveland Browns defender Marquis Smith (21) at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Titans won, 24-9, with George gaining 176 rushing yards on 34 carries and three touchdowns. Jan. 12 1997: Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Mathew Campbell gets adjusted to the climate during the 1996 NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game, 30-13, in below-freezing temperatures during Jan. 4, 1997: The Green Bay Packers take on the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field. The Packers won the game, 35-14. Nov. 25, 1993: Miami Dolphin running back Terry Kirby (43) loses the ball while being brought down by the Dallas Cowboys' Brock Marion (31), Leon Lett (78) and Bill Bates (40) during first quarter action on Thanksgiving Day at Texas Stadium. The Dolphins won the game, 16-14, which was played on a snow-covered field. Dec. 31, 1988: The Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles play in the famous Jan. 10, 1982: Linemen for the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers line up in sub-zero temperatures during the 1981 AFC championship game in what was dubbed Dec. 26, 1977: Minnesota Vikings running back Chuck Foreman (44) in action against the Los Angeles Rams during the 1977 NFC divisional playoff Game at L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The rain-soaked playoff game in Los Angeles that would become known as the Dec. 31, 1967: Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) hands off to running back Donny Anderson (44) during the NFL championship game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17. At minus-13 degrees, with a minus-48 wind chill, the Nov. 15, 1964: St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Charley Johnson (12) in action against the New York Giants at Busch Stadium. The game ended in a 10-10 tie.

NFL weather games: Football played in adverse conditions ❄️🌧️

Referees' taunting flag on Riq Woolen draws ire on social media

Many accounts with large followings on social media expressed frustration at the NFC championship's officials for calling the taunting penalty in such a high leverage situation.

No matter which team you're rooting for (Rams / Seahawks)The ref should never determine the outcome of games on a stupid taunting call. That was a total nothing burger.No dog in the fight. I just hate the stupidity of it

— Mark Suster (@msuster)January 26, 2026

 

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