The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers are duking it out in the City of Brotherly Love. The Niners brought their quarterback for this one as they promised they would. So far, he has been less than impressive, except for the Whiners' third drive. They scored a TD on that one.
Purdy delivered a duck on third and goal from the Eagles' two-yard line, a third and goal situation that was the result of a phantom offsides call versus Josh Sweat on a failed 49ers third-and-goal attempt from the Eagles four-yard line. Brandon Aiyuk bailed his QB out with a catch.
Here's the weirdest part of the whole thing. The flag was thrown after the result of th e play, an incomplete pass to George Kittle.
The TD catch was also of the phantom variety. Much of the Philly media and Eagles Nation took issue.
Need to see an actual angle of that Josh Sweat “offsides” ASAP.
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) December 3, 2023
That’s not a catch but even more baffling is that offsides call on Josh sweat. Stop ruining the game
— Sons of Swoop Podcast (@sons_of_swoop) December 3, 2023
Brandon Aiyuk's diving catch is the first TD of the game!
— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/jDx7nOulUV
The ball sure looked out of Aiyuk’s hands to me. Refs appear confused.
— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow) December 3, 2023
Not a chance that's a catch. Insane ruling
— AJ Iezzi (@AJ_Iez) December 3, 2023
And I was wrong. May need to hear the explanation from officials after the game. https://t.co/NGWMZnC7Yr
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 3, 2023
Refs rule Brandon Aiyuk caught the TD pass that he dropped.#Ealges
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) December 3, 2023
I forgot that I have no idea what a catch is.
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) December 3, 2023
Ball certainly hit the ground and moved. https://t.co/oMb296UBoD
Aiyuk bails out Purday, who threw a bad ball for that TD. TD survives video replay.
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) December 3, 2023
Refs rule it is a TD. Wow
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 3, 2023
That ball
— Lord Brunson tweets (@lord_brunson) December 3, 2023
Moved he lost possession.
Here's the verdict. Most camera angles showed Aiyuk haul one in with the help of the ground aiding his catch (which is illegal). One angle showed his hand under the ball. That's the replay the refs stuck with,
4 straight games with a TD for Brandon Aiyuk 👏
— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/NnY3g1xE9S
This is a close one at the half. Two quarters remain. If the Niners somehow win this one by four points, which we doubt, this play will garner a tad more attention.