Tom Brady had just got done saying he wanted NFL refs to let the players decide games during Fox Sports’ broadcast on Sunday when the officials started to insert themselves into the NFC Championship Game.
The Philadelphia Eagles were leading 14-12 late in the second quarter over the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field when a crucial call set up a touchdown for the home team. On third down and 13, Commanders defensive back Marshon Lattimore was called for pass interference on DeVonta Smith.
NFL refs inserted themselves in the second quarter
The PI allowed Eagles’ to score a touchdown on the next play via a “brotherly shove.”
Lattimore called for P.I here on Smith. Definitely the right call but interesting that the ref threw the flag so late pic.twitter.com/JnJbUUvckL
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 26, 2025
Officials helped the Philadelphia Eagles
A fight broke out between Lattimore and Brown after the score. Brown took off Lattimore’s helmet in the exchange, but only the Commanders were flagged.
The Eagles could not complete their short two-point conversion attempt after the gift from the officials.
Fight breaks out between Lattimore and AJ Brown. Refs only throw a flag against Lattimore pic.twitter.com/cplUHXtQtA
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 26, 2025
The Commanders would fumble the ensuing kickoff return. Washington’s defense appeared to make a quick three-and-out on the Eagles drive, but a questionable unnecessary roughness penalty after a third-down stop gave Philadelphia a first down.
The Eagles would score a touchdown after the penalty, taking a 27-15 lead into halftime.
Commanders called for unnecessary roughness on this hit to Barkley as he was going out of bounds. pic.twitter.com/2DG2WRT1lW
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 26, 2025
Fans on social media were unhappy with the officials handing the Eagles two second quarter touchdowns.
“Hit happened at the same time as he got his foot down. That’s an egregious call,” wrote a fan.
“Bad call. I don’t care what Tom and the others claimed, his foot had not touched out yet,” posted another.
“So I guess Lattimore’s helmet came off all by itself,” asked a fan.
“Blatant missed holding call then two flags against Washington, this is ridiculous,” wrote another.
“they want the Eagles in the Super Bowl so bad.,” believes a fan.
“lol, Latimore has no helmet on , how did that happen,” asked another.
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