The Philadelphia Eagles lost their first game of the 2022 NFL season Monday night, falling 32-21 to the Washington Commanders. It was a game where the NFC’s top team was undone by its own mistakes — with an assist from some questionable officiating in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles committed four costly turnovers in Week 10, leaving just enough room for Taylor Heinicke and a run-heavy Washington offense to steal a win on the road. Three of these were fourth quarter fumbles that ultimately doomed Philadelphia’s quest for an undefeated season.
The first was an egregious blown call that may have altered the course of the game. Referees missed a late facemask against tight end Dallas Goedert that preceded a fumble and ended a budding drive in Philly territory.
Not sure how the refs missed the facemask. Washington got away with one here pic.twitter.com/2QR52pBT4B
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) November 15, 2022
Three plays later, Joey Slye kicked a 55-yard field goal that extended Washington’s lead to 26-21. The score stayed there with 1:45 left to play and the Eagles sitting on their final timeout. Then, with the Commanders facing third-and-long and Philadelphia in position to get the ball back for a possible game winning drive, Heinicke gave himself up in the backfield for what should have set up fourth down.
Except Brandon Graham, a Philadelphia veteran and defensive captain, couldn’t slow him momentum and crashed into a downed Heinicke, drawing a flag for unnecessary roughness and gifting Washington a first down.
i've never seen anyone happier to be hit late than Taylor Heinicke pic.twitter.com/cBcTEPG2Se
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) November 15, 2022
From there, the Commanders ran the ball once, kneeled twice and punted the ball away with seconds left on the clock. The Eagles last-ditch lateral play ended in a Washington fumble recovery in the end zone and a Commanders team that came into the game as an 11-point underdog wound up winning by the same amount.
It was a finish that left a bitter taste in the mouths of of NFL fans outside the D.C. area.
You can’t end the game with that call
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) November 15, 2022
I'm not positive, but I think this is the most well-executed flop I've ever seen. You don't really notice it unless you're looking for it, but it's there and it's perfect. https://t.co/NDiqF3tCxx
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 15, 2022
Correct call but a weak call and coupled with the no-call…..I'd run outta there quickly if I was a ref lol
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 15, 2022
Taylor Heinicke celebrated being hit late like he had just won the Super Bowl
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 15, 2022
Heinicke celebrating the first down like he just did this pic.twitter.com/Juk2r7ajH3
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 15, 2022
Love to watch a ref show end an undefeated Eagles season. Great stuff!
— Mary Clarke (@marycclarke) November 15, 2022
Taylor Heinecke should’ve gotten 15 yards for being a dork
— Sean Gentille (@seangentille) November 15, 2022
The refs are why I watch the NFL. They’re my favorite part of the game. Love when they insert themselves into it.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 15, 2022
Heinecke celebrating that flag like a charge call
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) November 15, 2022
Come on man you can’t call that
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) November 15, 2022
Taylor Heinicke did an incredible job of declaring himself down in such a weird way at such a weird time that the defenders weren't really sure what was going on
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) November 15, 2022
How are you supposed to abruptly stop yourself from moving when you’re a 300 pound man…like…the laws of physics and the current way NFL games are reffed are simply incompatible in this universe
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) November 15, 2022
This is the first flag this game that I can truly say is the right call lol, you know if the QB gives himself up the play is over
— Jeanna Kelley (@jeannathomas) November 15, 2022
Eagles fans waiting for the refs after the game pic.twitter.com/yELp2oT192
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) November 15, 2022
Refs really reared their heads this week didn’t they?
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 15, 2022
You hate to see a great game like that end on a call by the refs though. They blew a few calls tonight.
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) November 15, 2022
