Shannon Sharpe didn’t hold back this week. calling out NFL referees for what he viewed as a game-altering mistake during the Philadelphia Eagles’ narrow victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. The controversy centered around a late pass interference flag on cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. thrown on a critical 3rd-and-8 play with the Lions still within striking distance.
On the play. Jalen Hurts targeted A.J. Brown near the sideline. with both players engaging in light contact as the ball arrived. After reviewing the footage. Sharpe blasted the decision. insisting the moment should never have drawn a flag.
“That’s not P.I. That’s a play on. That’s a bulljive call.”
Broadcast analyst Chris Collinsworth echoed the criticism. suggesting Brown was the one who initiated the primary contact. Many Lions fans agreed. flooding social media with frustration and arguing that the questionable penalty effectively handed Philadelphia the ability to drain the clock and close out the win without giving Detroit another possession.
Before the disputed call. the Eagles held a 16-6 lead following a 49-yard field goal from Jake Elliott. Detroit responded with a 54-yarder from Jake Bates to cut the deficit to 16-9. setting up a dramatic finish that ultimately never materialized due to the officiating decision.
The night brought more bad news for the Lions. as head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that tight end Sam LaPorta is expected to miss four weeks with a back injury. depriving Detroit of one of its most reliable playmakers during a crucial stretch of the season.
As debate continues to rage among fans and analysts. Sharpe’s sharp criticism has become a rallying point for those who believe the late penalty robbed the Lions of a fair chance to complete a comeback.
The Minnesota Wild (8-7-4) is back on home ice tonight to host the Vegas Golden Knights (8-4-5). The Wild will be without forward Vladimir Tarasenko for the second straight game.
Tarasenko, 33, has two goals and ten points in 18 games this year for the Wild. He missed Saturday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury and will not play again on Sunday.
Wild head coach John Hynes said after the game that Tarasenko’s status will be day-to-day.