Points were tough to come by in the first half of Sunday’s Week 12 matchup between the Bills and Eagles. And referee Shawn Hochuli’s crew didn’t exactly do the Bills any favors.
With the Bills driving in the second quarter deep into Eagles territory, Haason Reddick forced Josh Allen out of the pocket and wrapped up the Bills quarterback as he tried to get the ball away.
Reddick, though, grabbed the front of Allen’s jersey (ripping the jersey!) and pulled Allen down by the horse collar. While horse-collar penalties can’t be called with the quarterback in the pocket, Allen was out of the pocket there. It was a clear penalty.
A pretty blatant horse-collar penalty missed here.
Josh Allen's jersey is ripped…pic.twitter.com/1W6wZJsBwb
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 26, 2023
Instead, the officials would call Allen for the intentional-grounding penalty. And to make matters worse, the ensuing field-goal try was blocked. So, what should have been a first-and-goal opportunity for the Bills turned into zero points thanks to the officiating blunder.
Though the Bills would quickly force a turnover and score a touchdown before the half, fans couldn’t believe that missed call. After all, the ref was *right* there to see it happen.
This was how Twitter reacted
If you’re that close and you miss this, you need to take medical leave or be fired because something is wrong with you. Cc @NFLOfficiating @nflcommish And hi @DOJCrimDiv please review that ref’s financial transactions. https://t.co/45Nwl9wUcq
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) November 26, 2023
Fine the refs. https://t.co/dujMzUm1YA
— A Fan With A Mic (@AFanWithAMic) November 26, 2023
This is actually insane and the fact Josh got a call AGAINST him is even more insane https://t.co/4Xd3rGGNMG
— Mal (@bigbluemal) November 26, 2023
Usually not one to blame officiating but the refs fully cost the Bills 7 points on this drive.
Awful. Just awful. https://t.co/MGDXWC0o36
— Sara Holland (@SaraaHolland) November 26, 2023
I say it all the time but I’ll say it again…NFL officiating is horrible. https://t.co/Q5CXhWiirC
— Steven Leandres (@sleandres) November 26, 2023
You’re sooo embarrassing @NFLOfficiating and you’re making me defend the bills which is even more embarrassing https://t.co/WOedp9NWpa
— a (@nobetsonthejets) November 26, 2023
I am finally convinced that the refs are throwing games.
There is NO reasonable way this could have been missed. https://t.co/SI5Mx8G05W
— Grimmvw (@grimmvw) November 26, 2023
Bills have to beat the refs and the Eagles https://t.co/uuKm831Aes
— Bills and Beers! (@footballisgrea5) November 26, 2023
THEY CALLED THIS INTENTIONAL GROUNDING THEY ARENT EVEN ATTEMPTING TO HIDE IT AHAHAGSGSGSGAGAH https://t.co/3OZ1N49blJ
— brandon (@SiNuTrmon) November 26, 2023
