GLENDALE | Several Eagles fans, general fans and analysts ripped their shirts off Sunday night when a penalty helped sign their late-game death penalty. In the dressing room of the vanquished, playing victim is not important.
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Sue a third down and eight yards from target, with a 35-35 tie, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted to reach JuJu Smith-Schuster. Cornerback James Bradberry interfered and the pass was not completed.
However, the referee ruled that cornerback James Bradberry had grabbed Smith-Schuster’s jersey, so awarded a penalty that gave the Chiefs the first game.
This then ran out of time until Harrison Butker scored the winning field goal.
We could have expected a wave of dissatisfaction in the Eagles camp, but they took the hit quite admirably.
“It was the right decision. I picked up his sweater. I was hoping it would pass,” Bradberry admitted openly.
good princes
Despite the obvious pain of a heartbreaking loss, head coach Nick Sirianni was also gracious.
“You see me working on the sidelines. I will argue (with the officials) from time to time, but it is not my job to make the decision. The referee saw that and called it. These guys have to make split second decisions.
“I know from the outside it always looks like a referee’s decision changed the game, but that’s not how it works. There are so many games that made the difference and they were better than us,” he said.
The story was the same from Veterans Center Jason Kelce.
“I will never be one to blame a referee for defeat. I’m not like that,” he said.
From the great Jalen Hurts
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who shone brightly despite the loss, also answered all questions in a thoughtful and polite tone. He also pointed the finger at the fumble that resulted in a defensive touchdown for the Chiefs.
“It hurt us. It’s obvious that you’re thinking about what else you could have done with hindsight. We had a goal and failed,” he said soberly.