Source: BroBible
Summary
Penalties in the NFL have increased significantly this season, with 17 touchdowns nullified by flags through four weeks, compared to five in 2025. Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis reported that offensive penalties, especially in the red zone, are at record levels. Week 4 saw an average of 17 penalties per game, the highest since 2015. Offenses are being flagged at the highest rate since 2000, with 6.18 penalties per 100 snaps. The trend has led to more penalties on third and fourth downs in the second half of games.
Our Reading
The habit gets a new name.
Penalties are up. Touchdowns are down. Flags are flying.
Referee discipline is now a full-time job.
Offenses are getting flagged like they’re in a corporate office.
It’s not a trend. It’s a penalty.
Author: Evan Null
Penalties Are Up, Touchdowns Are Down
Through four weeks of the 2026 NFL season, 17 touchdowns have been nullified by penalties, a stark increase from the five at this point in 2025. The number of penalties per game has risen to 17, the highest since 2015. This trend has been noted by Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, who highlights that offensive penalties are at a record high. The red zone has seen a significant rise in penalties, with 0.61 per team per game. This is a 48% increase from previous years.
Offenses Are Getting Flagged More Than Ever
Offenses are being flagged at the highest per-snap rate since 2000, with 6.18 penalties per 100 snaps. This is the most penalized offensive season in the data, with 3.76 flags per team per game. The increase in penalties has led to more flags on third and fourth downs in the second half of games. This trend has been particularly noticeable in games like the Jaguars vs. Bengals matchup, where multiple touchdowns were negated by penalties.
Referees Are Throwing Flags Like It’s Their Job
The rise in penalties has led to speculation that referees are following league mandates more strictly than in previous seasons. Whether due to an overzealous attitude or a lack of foresight, the result has been a significant increase in penalties. The data shows that offensive penalties are at a record 0.61 per team per game, with more than 56% of red-zone flags now on offense. This is a sharp contrast to the 48% seen in previous years.
It’s Not Just a Few Bad Calls
The increase in penalties is not limited to a few games. It’s a trend that has been consistent across the league. The average number of penalties per game has reached 17, the highest since 2015. This trend has led to more penalties on third and fourth downs in the second half of games. The data also shows that the number of touchdowns nullified by penalties has risen significantly, with 17 so far this season compared to five in 2025 and four in 2024.
It’s Not a Trend, It’s a Penalty
The increase in penalties has led to a new normal in the NFL. With more flags being thrown and more touchdowns being nullified, the league is facing a new challenge. The data shows that offenses are being penalized more than ever, with the highest per-snap rate since 2000. This trend has led to more penalties on third and fourth downs in the second half of games, making it clear that the league is in for a different kind of season.
