(Video) Referees err again! Picking up flag after missed facemask penalty in Commanders-Eagles Game

Another officiating mistake almost ruins Washington Commanders vs. the Philadelphia Eagles matchup on Thursday Night Football.

(Video) Referees err again! Picking up flag after missed facemask penalty in Commanders-Eagles Game

Philadelphia Eagles did not receive penalty advantage despite helmet foul on DeVonta Smith (Image via CBS Sports/X)

Week 11 of the 2024-25 season has just started with the Philadelphia Eagles playing against the Washington Commanders. In what was another great football game with the likes of Saquon Barkley showing out, the referees again made themselves come out to the forefront.

The play in question was a first down at the Commanders 48-yard line towards with seconds left for the end of the third quarter. The Eagles were trailing by four points, and they needed to continue their drive down the field. Jalen Hurts received the ball and threw it short to receiver DeVonta Smith.

YouTube video

The recently extended wideout tried to cover yards while on his feet, only to find Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu in front of him. Smith planted his feet towards the right, to break to the left and keep moving up. But Luvu’s right hand caught the receiver’s helmet at the opening.

The defender kept grabbing on to the helmet, which forced the receiver’s head to turn around. That stopped his momentum and soon D-tackle Phidarian Mathis came over to wrap him up and stop the play. But what caught the eyes of commentators and fans was that a flag was seen on the field.

However, soon the official picked the flag back up. Seeing this, officials stopped play to talk it over while fans and analysts had a glimpse on how the play turned out on the big screen. Once the lead referee announced that there was no foul, fans let out a collective roar in disapproval.

So did commentators Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit, who believed the flag should have stayed down. The helmet opening if used to stop a player is a similar foul as using the facemask, therefore, they should have docked the Commanders 15 yards.

Referee mistake does not end up deciding Commanders-Eagles game

That referee mistake did not stop the Philadelphia Eagles from scoring on that drive as Jalen Hurts used the famed Tush Push to drive it in. But that touchdown swiveled the game into the home team’s hands, as the vaunted Eagles’ defense then stopped the Washington Commanders from making anything out of their next drive.

Saquon Barkley scored two touchdowns to down Washington Commanders
Saquon Barkley scored two touchdowns to down Washington Commanders (Image via NFL/X)

Then, with the ball back in their hands, Saquon Barkley continued his electrifying performances from last season with another run to the right to score. It did not stop there, as once the Eagles intercepted the rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, Barkley had another chance.

This time, he used his unreal cuts to leave defenders flat footed as he raced to another touchdown. After his unreal double 360 degree spin moves last game, many wondered if he could continue his drives. As defenses will have their attention on him. But it did not matter as he ran the show to help his team to a 26-18 win.