If you've hung out with us for a while, you're well aware that we've always believed that blaming the refs is bush league. We may begin to back off of that theory. NFL refs haven't done a very good job this season. Look no further than several blown calls during Philadelphia Eagles games for evidence.
We don't have time to enter what feels like 20-30 exhibits into evidence. They don't fine journalists for banging on refs, but if the NFL ever determines they're going to begin doing so, we don't want to be the guys who are thought of as the pioneers.
We saw Philly drew Alex Kemp last week for their game in Arlington vs. the Dallas Cowboys during Week 10's action. That made us nervous. When he calls games, he makes us feel like he has it out for everyone who has ever cheered for this team.
We don't have anything against Adrian Hill. Well, at least we didn't before Week 11. Then came, you guessed it... Another bad call.
Referees continue to play unneeded roles in Eagles games.
By now, you've probably called a few friends to discuss the missed facemask penalty committed on DeVonta Smith. If you haven't, you most certainly read about it on social media.
You can’t miss a personal foul like that. You just can’t. NFL refs stink. That wasn’t a bang bang play.
— Tyrone Johnson (@TyJohnsonNews) November 15, 2024
These refs have been horrendous
— James Seltzer (@JamesSeltzer) November 15, 2024
REPLAY ASSIST IS HERE BABY! THEY’LL NEVER GET THE CALLS WRONG WITH REPLAY ASSIST! THANK YOU, @NFL!
— Jake Rabadi (@JakeRabadiNFL) November 15, 2024
Awful awful awful call. Disgraceful
— Tom Kelly (@TommyKelly44) November 15, 2024
Easily missed face mask on DeVonta Smith.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) November 15, 2024
No call. #Eagles
Might be the best sequence of crowd shots I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/15XmdTWuuY
— Devan Kaney (@Devan_Kaney) November 15, 2024
Philly survived a bad call and scored a TD, but the extra point was missed. Field-goal kicking has also apparently become an issue for our Birds and Jake 'The Make' Elliott. En route to another Jalen Hurts rushing TD, the refs almost butchered another one.
Jalen Hurts was ruled short of the line to gain during a brilliant scramble for the marker. Thankfully, Hill's crew conferred and got that one correct.
We've always said we prefer games where refs didn't take center stage as part of the story. Oh well. Seemingly, that will have to wait until next week.