A pass interference penalty sent fans into an uproar at the end of the Week 11 matchup between the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Officials called Lions defensive back Rock Ya-Sin for pass interference on Eagles wideout A.J. Brown on third-and-8 during the final two minutes.
The penalty greatly helped the Eagles run out the clock to preserve a 16-9 victory over the Lions.
That call has received criticism over the last 36 hours. But interestingly, not from the Lions defensive back who received the penalty.
“A.J. Brown, really good player, All-Pro player. Sometimes, those kinds of players get those kinds of calls,” Ya-Sin told reporters, via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith. “It is what it is. I’ve got to do a better job.”
Ya-Sin also stated that he didn’t receive an explanation from the officials about why the penalty was called. The Lions defensive back, though, didn’t ask for one.
“I let them do their job. I try to do my job. It is what it is.”
The penalty gave the Eagles a first down with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Lions had one timeout remaining, which they used after the next running play.
But Eagles running back Saquon Barkley gained eight yards on the next third down to again move the chains. That officially ended the contest.
Lions’ Rock Ya-Sin Received Controversial PI Penalty
While Ya-Sin took his late foul in stride, pundits weren’t so understanding.
Heavy Sports’ Pat Pickens referred to the penalty as a “phantom pass interference.” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo argued he hated “to see that call at any point in the game” but “particularly” at the end of the fourth quarter.
Perhaps the biggest critic of the penalty was NBC Sports analyst Cris Collinsworth, who was on the call Sunday night.
“Oh, come on. Come on. That is terrible,” Collinsworth said in his analysis. “That is an absolutely terrible call that is going to decide this football game.”
NFL referee Alex Kemp explained the call to reporters after the contest.
“The official observed the receiver’s arm getting grabbed and restricting him from going up to make the catch,” Kemp said, via The Athletic’s Zach Berman. “So, the ball was in the air, there was a grab at the arm, restricted him and he called defensive pass interference.”
How Lions Move Forward After Eagles Loss
Ya-Sin showcased his veteran status with his response to the controversial penalty. His answer reveals he understands how the NFL, and really sports, are often officiated.
The star players are more likely to get the calls. That’s part of why it’s so difficult to defend them.
If not for the penalty, the Lions were also far from guaranteed to force overtime. Detroit needed a touchdown and an extra point in the final two minutes of the contest to tie the game.
At that point, the Lions had gone six drives in the second half without a touchdown. Kicker Jake Bates also missed his only extra point try in the contest.
With the loss, the Lions fell to 6-4 and into third place in the NFC North. They will have the opportunity to regroup against the 2-9 New York Giants, but then the Lions will welcome the Green Bay Packers to Detroit on Thanksgiving.
The team will also face the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears during the final month of the season. Those three squads are all in playoff positioning entering Week 12.
Therefore, the Lions can hardly dwell on the missed opportunity at another possession in Philadelphia.
Lions DB Speaks out on Controversial Pass Interference Penalty vs. Eagles