Controversy Surrounds Non-Pass Interference Call as Eagles Lose

With under two minutes remaining in the NFC Championship, the Eagles found themselves down seven points and facing a fourth-and-10 situation.

On fourth down, Donovan McNabb's pass just slipped through the hands of Kevin Curtis as he appeared to fall down. When watching the replay, it appears Curtis was clipped from behind by a Roderick Hood -- who had fallen down himself. Announcers Troy Aikman and Joe Buck -- neither of whom are qualified to dissect officiating -- said defensive pass interference could have been called.

I actually have to say that I agree with them. It could have been called. I believe not calling it was acceptable as well. That play was definitely not the cut-and-dry or black-and-white type. It was very, very gray. I watched the slow-motion replay from behind at least five times, trying to figure how I'd rule it. Obviously, Eagles fans think it was interference, and Cardinals fans don't. As a fan of neither, I eventually came to the conclusion that I agree with the no-call.

As Hood started to fall down, he appeared to grasp at Curtis with his hands, but he never got a hold of him. You can't judge intent, and he simply didn't grab him. The problem was that, right as the ball was arriving, Hood fell onto Curtis' foot as Curtis started to fall. I sympathize with Eagles fans here, as you could certainly argue Curtis was taken down by Hood. I'm sure I would if my favorite team was on offense. The problem, for me, is that in the slow-motion replay, it appears Curtis was starting to stretch out for the pass anyway. I'm not fully convinced Hood's fall is what caused Curtis' failure to catch the football. If there is any doubt on that front, it's not a foul.

Again, this most certainly is not an easy situation. If you think it is, you either aren't familiar with pass interference principles -- which I've covered before -- or you have bias.

Finally, please let's avoid the "it cost the Eagles the game" nonsense. Even if you believe interference should have been called, you have to realize the Eagles still were going to need about 40 yards in 1:45, with only one timeout. Even if they scored a touchdown, they would have only forced overtime. Plus, it was their fault they were facing a fourth and 10. This no-call did not cost the Eagles the NFC Championship, it's just that simple.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

1-18-2009 @ 7:07PM

benchsplinters said...

Horrible non-call. I bet on them winning the Super Bowl! This is crushing. Whatever the odds are on the Cards, take them to win! Arizona to win Super Bowl XLIII was +715 prior to the game today at www.BetOnline.com. Can you imagine? One of the four teams remaining and they were hosting the game and that was the line! And for good reason! The Eagles ARE the better team! McNabb sucked in the first half, but he got it together and that non-call on Curtis at the end sucked, it just plain sucked!

1-18-2009 @ 7:29PM

jeff said...

Good call, bad call....same result...No Championship for the crap Eagles and their nasty fans....not now...NOT EVER...wah wah wah.

1-18-2009 @ 7:18PM

Robin said...

Quit your crying - Arizona was denied a fumble. Where are all the Eagle fans that did a lot of trash talking last week. At least there will be no nasty philly fans at the SB. I don't think Tampa has a stadium jail!!!

1-18-2009 @ 7:20PM

dinohealth said...

You must be very slow mentally to need five reviews and still wonder how you would call it! It is ovious to the most casual observer that the receiver was clipped on his rear calf muscles as the defensive player fell. I have read some skewed reports, but defending Aikman's skewed coverage has got to be the grand-daddy of them all. Matt, you and I were not watching the same play! PHILLY WAS ROBBED! SAD END TO A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE GAME.

1-18-2009 @ 7:19PM

Skrying said...

No way was that a horrible non-call. I could have went either way and generally in that case it is better for it to be a non-call because awarding a call is against the percentages, something you shouldn't ever do.

As for McNabb, he had a barely below average first half. The Eagles lost because their defense was horrible in the first half. Do Philadelphia fans seriously want to blame McNabb for everything? The guy is great. 375 yards and possibly one of the greatest comebacks ever and he only gets blamed for a average first half? You know what is bad? Giving up 24 points in the first half, that is bad.

1-19-2009 @ 7:31AM

gmps76 said...

I feel that you have made a good point, in that the Eagles' defense played poorly in the first half of the game.

1-18-2009 @ 7:31PM

bertiepea said...

Serious Eagle fan crybaby blogger. He is an expert on Pass interference but Hall of Famer Troy Aikman isn't...what a loser. Typical "if you breath on reciever it is interference white boy". Curtis doesn't have the speed for NFL, only reason he is up because white boy writers cry for him.

1-18-2009 @ 7:49PM

Mike said...

haha where you even watching the game. He obviously outran some defenders when he had a 50 yard reception or his 4 catches for 122 yards. Give credit where credit is due. Please don't comment anymore cause you sound like an idiot that doesn't have any intellect.

1-18-2009 @ 10:04PM

markolonghorn said...

Are you kidding me? You do realize he ran a 4.35 at the combine right? He's faster than the majority of NFL wide receivers.

1-18-2009 @ 7:39PM

pugnacious said...

Boo Hoo listen to the Eagles fans whine and cry. Eagles fans talked alot of crap last week. Now they're
cryng. You got beat period. Maybe the arrogant punk Mc Nabb can pick up the phone and call someone who gives a crap. Get over it Eagles fans. You were outplayed. QUIT making excuses.

1-19-2009 @ 12:46AM

fatherandson05 said...

There no reason to put down the eagle fan so if i were u i think u need to go to ur mother sholder to cry so why dont u speak to ur self

1-18-2009 @ 7:38PM

kawieboy said...

The crying Eagles caught a big break when they got to keep the ball on the kick off that didn't go out of bounds that the Cardinals recovered.

1-18-2009 @ 7:41PM

rbredin57 said...

It is quite evident that McNabb will Never win a Super Bowl. Years ago Rush Limbaugh & Mr. Mondesire of the NAACP said McNabb was over-rated and mediocre at best. Time for Andy & Donnie to take their act to another town !!!

1-18-2009 @ 7:43PM

I think the Eagles getting their butts kicked around in the first half and giving up 24 points might have had a little more to do with them losing than some crybaby last minute no-call.

1-18-2009 @ 7:52PM

prissypets4u said...

dinohealth
philly was robbed of nothing even if it was interference arizone got robbed of a call too
philly was up against a team that outplayed them from beginning to end...they lost and they deserved to lose they played horrid
the call would have made no difference either way ..not when you are talking a team that played as horrid as they did the game was over before that play ever happened sore losers blame everyone but the team that did not perform

1-18-2009 @ 7:56PM

shagmanforever said...

It's a crying shame that those sorry play calling made the Super Bowl not worthy to watch this year. The true NFC champs are out of the playoffs thanks to poor officiating in todays game. For all those Cardinal fans this is for you Arizona Cardinls NFC Champions*. That's champs with an astrick and I hope this is the worst veiwed Super Bowl in NFL history. When the Eagles come back to pHILLY US Eagle fans will be celebrating what REAL champs are not bogus ones. So here is my prediction on Super Bowl XXIII Pittsburgh 38 Cardinals 6 or Baltimore 30 Cards 6. Eagles would've given the AFC a run for their money. Oh, remember AZ. fans not all cindrellas win.

1-18-2009 @ 7:57PM

gamiacjim said...

Its as close to 100% as it could be that Curtis would have caught that ball if he was not hit. Should have been pass interference.

1-18-2009 @ 7:58PM

Coop said...

its obvious this guys a complete dill head. When a receiver comes out of his break and is chopped down at the leg, by an already falling defender, it should be ruled pass interference. Did he fall down because a strong gust of wind came in. The refs just realized it was a home game and didnt have the testicular fortitude to call it. prissypets4u id obviously dumb because he?she said that they were outplayed from beginning to end. I guess you missed a good part of the game you clown

1-18-2009 @ 8:01PM

jake24 said...

I should say up front that I'm an Eagles fan. The call was a gray area and Curtis should still have caught the ball, as it hit him in the hands. The Birds had their chances, the "D" was awful in the first half and after the offense had gotten them the lead in the 2nd half, they let Warner and co run right down the field. Couldn't even stop the the 2p. Can't blame Donnie Mac for this one.