PHILADELPHIA – The Detroit Lions’ 16-9 loss to the Eagles on Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field featured overaggressive coaching decisions, failed third-down conversions and costly penalties. But the most controversial moment came with 1:51 remaining, when a defensive pass interference call against cornerback Rock Ya-Sin gave the Eagles a crucial first down and effectively ended the game.
The Eagles were facing third-and-8 from their own 38-yard line with 1:51 remaining in the game. The Lions were looking to make a stop and force a punt, in hopes of setting up a game-tying drive. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts dropped back to pass and threw toward the sideline to wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Ya-Sin covered Brown stride for stride, both using their hands to battle for position. As the ball sailed wide of Brown and incomplete, Ya-Sin and the Lions believed they had forced the Eagles to punt. However, a penalty flag was thrown, and Ya-Sin was called for defensive pass interference. The call gave the Eagles a first down and effectively ended the game.
Ya-Sin could not believe the call, holding his hands against his helmet, shocked that he was flagged on a play he deemed should not have been called, he deemed should not have been called, or that it should have been offensive pass interference instead, with Brown’s arm extending before the ball approached him.
Referee Alex Kemp was asked by The Athletic’s Zach Berman, the pool reporter, why the penalty was called.
“The official observed the receiver’s arm getting grabbed and restricting him from going up to make the catch,” Kemp said. “So, the ball was in the air, there was a grab at the arm, restricted him and he called defensive pass interference.”
Ya-Sin was still in disbelief after the game. When asked about the call against him, his teammates, safeties Daniel Thomas and Thomas Harper voiced their own opinions before Ya-Sin spoke.
“It was (expletive),” the two said in unison.
“It was a call,” Ya-Sin continued after motioning to his teammates that he would handle the question. “I’m a seven-year vet. I’m going against an All-Pro player like A.J. Brown and he gets those calls. I have to do a better job and get my head around maybe attacking the ball. The refs made the call. It is what it is.”
Ya-Sin, who finished the game with six tackles, added that he was also surprised given how the officials had let the teams play earlier in the game. He said he did not ask the officials why he was flagged on the play.
“I let them do their job and I try to do my job, so it is what it is,” Ya-Sin said.
Ya-Sin was not the only player at the center of a controversial penalty call. In the third quarter, with the Eagles facing third-and-1 from their own 41-yard line, the Eagles lined up in their “Tush Push” formation. Eagles right guard Tyler Steen began tapping the grass with his right hand while his left hand was anchored in his stance.
Lions defensive tackle Tyleik Williams crossed into the line of scrimmage and into the Eagles linemen, and the play was stopped. Steen was called for a false start penalty, which angered Steen and most of the 69,879 fans in the stands. Williams gave his view on what happened during the play.
“Basically, I was a little bit offsides, but I moved back,” Williams said. “Then he started touching me. I thought he was moving, so I jumped, and then they called it on him. I don’t know how it was supposed to get called, but he’s touching me mid-play. He can’t do that. But I was lined up offside, but I moved my hand back, and then he started touching me. I just jumped.”
The loss dropped the Lions to 6-4 and into third place in the NFC North. Their next game will be at home on Sunday, Nov. 24, against the Giants.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.