Football is a game of inches, rarely more so than in the Super Bowl.
Facing second-and-one on the Chiefs‘ 48-yard line, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts appeared to hit wide receiver Devonta Smith for an incredible catch. The 35-yard gain would’ve given Philadelphia first-and-10 on the Kansas City 13 with a minute to play in the first half and the Eagles nursing a 21–14 lead.
Instead, the play was overturned after a lengthy replay review, with officials ruling the ball hit the ground before Smith could maintain control.
The play marked a significant swing, halting a potential kill shot from Philadelphia in its tracks and forcing the Eagles to settle for a 35-yard field goal by kicker Jake Elliott at the buzzer.
Predictably, the reversal drew outrage from Eagles fans and mixed reactions throughout the NFL.
Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy weighed in:
Longtime wide receiver Golden Tate agreed:
So, too, did Cardinals wide receiver Hollywood Brown:
With the NFL’s catch rules under increased scrutiny this season, the league once again found controversy on one of the game’s biggest stages.
