Giants' Collins, Jenkins: 'We need better refs'

The New York Giants aren't happy with NFL officials following a 33-31 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

"We need better refs," both safety Landon Collins and cornerback Janoris Jenkins told reporters in separate interviews, according to Pat Leonard of New York Daily News.

The root of the frustration was an unnecessary roughness penalty against Collins early in the fourth quarter that gave the Panthers a fresh set of downs on third-and-13.

Collins dove to break up a pass thrown by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, but collided with wide receiver Devin Funchess in the process. Carolina went on to score a touchdown on the drive, building an 11-point lead.

The two-time Pro Bowler wasn't pleased when a reporter suggested it was a helmet-to-helmet hit.

"It wasn't helmet to helmet. Please don't say helmet to helmet," said Collins. "I did not touch his helmet. His helmet touched my back. I hit the ball first " (It was) the momentum changer, changed the whole influence of the game, gave them a first down, put them in field goal range and within range to be able to score (a touchdown). It's just not right."

Collins' displeasure was echoed by his teammates Sunday and has been shared by defenders around the league this season.

"We're fighting and trying to figure out how to play football. It's not football anymore," Collins said.

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