Eagles lose Super Bowl in the worst way possible
One of the most entertaining Super Bowls in the NFL history was decided by one of the most egregious officiating gaffes of the 2022 season. The Philadelphia Eagles found themselves locked in a 35-35 tie at the two-minute warning. Kansas City was facing 3rd & 8 at the Eagles’ 15-yard line. What happened next will […]
One of the most entertaining Super Bowls in the NFL history was decided by one of the most egregious officiating gaffes of the 2022 season.
The Philadelphia Eagles found themselves locked in a 35-35 tie at the two-minute warning. Kansas City was facing 3rd & 8 at the Eagles’ 15-yard line. What happened next will be discussed in Philadelphia, and amongst NFL circles, for years, if not decades, to come.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes overthrew JuJu Smith-Schuster, which should have forced Kansas City to kick the go-ahead field goal with just under two minutes left to play. Unfortunately, Eagles CB James Bradberry was flagged for a phantom holding call, which ultimately decided the contest.
One can watch it 1,000 times and still question where the flag come from. It was a complete and total failure on the NFL's biggest stage.
The Chiefs were rewarded with a new set of downs which enabled them to run the clock all the way down to 11 seconds for Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal. Even though the Eaglles stopped the Chiefs, the time that ticked off the clock in the process left Philadelphia with no time to answer.
Consistently Inconsistent
The officials were letting both teams play all game long, which makes the decision to flag Bradberry all the more confusing. The two teams combined for nine penalties, though most came via pre-snap infractions.
This officiating error stripped the Eagles of their second Super Bowl victory in five seasons. It comes after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters during Super Bowl week, “When you look at officiating, I don’t think it’s ever been better in the league.”
The NFL is facing a huge challenge ahead in improving the way football games are called. No matter what policies or new rules are to come next, no change the league makes will be enough to make up for the travesty that took place on Sunday night.
Featured image via Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
