Controversial Lions vs. Eagles pass interference gets explanation from NFL official

Mike Moraitis

Controversial Lions vs. Eagles pass interference gets explanation from NFL official image

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions' Sunday night contest ended in controversial fashion.

The Lions had one last gasp late in the fourth quarter to get the ball back and tie it up after what was an ugly game for both offenses.

It looked like Detroit would get its opportunity for a game-tying drive, but cornerback Rock Ya-Sin was hit with a pass interference flag on a throw to A.J. Brown on third down that gave Philly the first down it needed to seal the victory.

There was no shortage of controversy over the call, as many felt it was a ticky-tack penalty at best and shouldn't have been called, especially with so much on the line.

After the game, referee Alex Kemp explained the decision to call Ya-Sin for the DPI.

“The official observed the receiver's arm getting grabbed and restricting him from going up to make the catch. So, the ball was in the air, there was a grab at the arm, restricted him and he called defensive pass interference,” Kemp said.

To be fair, based on the video, Ya-Sin definitely grabbed Brown's right wrist, which is going to draw a flag far more often than not.

Brown probably wouldn't have caught that ball anyway, but it was close enough to enable a flag. Even still, that's just a brutal way to end a game.

"Oh, come on," NBC announcer Chris Collinsworth said of the penalty. "Come on! That is terrible! That is an absolutely terrible call that's gonna decide this football game."

While that's a tough way to lose, we can't forget that the Lions had 58 other minutes to get something going but couldn't do so, with Jared Goff and co. Looking completely overmatched against Philly's defense.

It would have been more painful to see the game end that way if the Lions actually deserved to win, but they didn't come close to that.

More NFL news:

Senior Editor