Referees Caution About Awarding Touchdown to Eagles for ‘Clear Unfair Play’
In the NFC championship game, the Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the Washington Commanders for the third time this year. The two rivals from the NFC East had traded wins in their previous encounters.
As the game headed into the fourth quarter, the Commanders managed to narrow the Eagles’ lead to 34-23. Philadelphia then advanced 50 yards towards the end zone to set up for another touchdown opportunity.
The Eagles set up in their well-known “Tush Push” formation once again, with quarterback Jalen Hurts prepared to sneak the ball behind the offensive line, assisted by teammates positioned in the backfield.
However, Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu attempted to jump the line repeatedly, resulting in two consecutive encroachment penalties. Additionally, Commanders player Jonathan Allen faced an encroachment penalty on the following attempt, prompting referee Shawn Hochuli to issue a warning.
“Washington has been informed that if this behavior continues, the referees could award a touchdown,” Hochuli stated. “For now, we will replay the second down.”
On the next play, Luvu did not jump early, and Hurts succeeded in scoring with a run up the middle.
After the game, Hochuli shed more light on his warning through a pool report.
“Essentially, a team cannot commit multiple penalties to prevent a score,” Hochuli explained. “Luvu jumped several times, which is when we issued the warning. If it’s aimed at preventing a score, we may grant the touchdown.”
When asked if the Eagles’ use of a hard count would influence the situation, Hochuli suggested it wouldn’t matter much, as Philadelphia could only utilize that tactic a limited number of times before the play clock runs out.
“There’s a play clock that limits how many times they can do that,” Hochuli noted. “In the case of the defense, since we see it as an effort to stop a score—this being a repeated action—that’s what could lead to awarding the score.”
Hochuli’s explanation aligns with rule 11, section 2, article 1.5 of the NFL rule book, which states that a touchdown may be granted when “the Referee awards a touchdown to a team that has been denied one by a clearly unfair act.”
