The referees were significantly engaged in the opening half of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game featuring the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles. Tom Brady, who was commentating for Fox, expressed mixed feelings about certain crucial decisions — or the lack thereof.
With a 14-12 advantage late in the second quarter, the Eagles encountered a fourth-down-and-five. They played with intensity, taking chances. The choice was rewarded when Jalen Hurts found A.J. Brown with a 31-yard pass, securing the first down. Philadelphia received assistance on that play when a holding penalty was not called against running back Saquon Barkley for a crucial block.
Brady requested the review of the hold out, which was supported by rules analyst Mike Pereira.
Later in the game, another disputed no-call favored Washington. Hurts threw a pass to tight end Dallas Goedert in the end zone. The pass was not completed, and despite significant contact from defensive back Marshon Lattimore, no penalty was issued.
Brady supported that no-call — along with similar ones.
“Sure, there’s some minor contact,” Brady stated. “However, if you’re a large player — like a tight end — they typically won’t make those kinds of calls for you.” I appreciate, the capacity during the playoffs; I’ve consistently believed this as a player: allow the players to compete. Allow them to go out there and be tough — and I’m not suggesting anything outrageous. However, I don’t enjoy witnessing the referees influence too many matches. “I wish to observe the players on the field determine why they progress or don’t.”
Later in the half, there was another tight play. This penalty was assessed — in support of the Eagles. Barkley received a short pass from Hurts and stepped out of bounds — apparently setting up a fourth down. However, just after Barkley’s initial foot stepped out of bounds, he was struck by Washington’s Mike Sainristil. Sainristil received a penalty for a late tackle, granting the Eagles a new set of downs.
While viewing the replay, Brady was completely in favor of the penalty. Pereira consented.
“Standing on the sidelines, Sainristil remarked, ‘He was in bounds.’” “He’s landing on his right foot — just as the left foot makes contact,” Brady stated. “I believe that’s a wise decision.”
To clarify, according to the law, Brady was completely in the right on that play. Having said that, it was near. Close enough that, although the contact from Sainristil occurred after Barkley went out of bounds, Sainristil started to hit before. Considering the speed he was traveling, it would have been extremely difficult to stop and avoid colliding with Barkley.
Although it was the correct decision, it appeared to also fit into the “non-egregious” category that Brady referred to a few minutes prior.