Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley calls out referees for illegal formation penalties against Chiefs | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours

Ronnie Stanley is unhappy with the refereeing in week 1.

The Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman said he felt like the officials were trying to make an example of him as the league increasingly focuses on penalties for an illegal formation during his team’s 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

He also believed that the conversations were not always bipartisan.

“I thought it was a little different,” Stanley said, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “And then, the way it went through the game, I really felt like they were just trying to make an example and they chose me to do it. From what I could see, they didn’t do it on either side of the ball and I know I was in a good position in most of those decisions that they made. But we’ll go back and watch the film and we’ll know for sure and we’ll send it in (to the league office).”

Stanley was penalized three times for illegal formation during the game. The Ravens were assessed a total of seven penalties for 64 yards and the Chiefs were assessed six for 45 yards.

Of the Ravens’ seven penalties, five were for illegal formation. Kansas City was not given a warning for illegal formation. Stanley said he thought the Chiefs were not penalized when they should have been, but that he had to consult the film.

“I look at their tackles, especially the right side, and I know I’m in front of that guy,” Stanley said, per Hensley. “And they haven’t called him once. It’s kind of to make me feel like I’m crazy, (that) I don’t know where I stand. I guess we’ll watch the film. They just need to be held accountable if that’s what it is. If it’s that bad that they’re making those calls — and they shouldn’t be — then they need to be held accountable.”

Thursday’s opener was a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game, which Kansas City also won. The Chiefs would go on to win a second straight Super Bowl and are now looking for the elusive three-peat.

Baltimore, meanwhile, will look to rebound from that disappointing ending and build on a promising season in 2023. While a Week 1 loss isn’t ideal, losing to a behemoth like the Chiefs isn’t an indication of a regression and Baltimore will use it as a learning experience for the future.

The Ravens look to get back on track in Week 2 when they host the Las Vegas Raiders.