Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season featured a highly anticipated SNF matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. The defending Super Bowl champions came away with a crucial 16-9 victory, but a controversial call in the fourth quarter contributed to it. This has resulted in the refs being ripped by a former head coach.
NFL Refs Called Out for Controversial Penalty on SNF
The Eagles had the ball with a lead late in the fourth quarter for a drive that could potentially ice the game. The Lions forced a critical third down with just under two minutes remaining, but after forcing an incompletion that should have resulted in a punt on the next play, a shocking defensive pass interference call extended the drive and essentially ended the game.
Despite many around the NFL, including SNF commentator Chris Collinsworth, having a major issue with the call, the game’s referee, Alex Kemp, defended it in an official statement following the contest’s conclusion. Former head coach Rex Ryan ripped the statement during an episode of “Get Up” on the following morning.
“Are you kidding me? You’re right, that is absolute garbage right here, and you’re making it worse by coming up with that B.S. Here’s the problem NFL, the entire country saw this. To me, I think its absolute garbage. Never, ever, invent a penalty that doesn’t exist … It’s not legit, regardless of what kind of cr*p you told us,” exclaimed Ryan.
Rex Ryan reacts to the questionable defensive pass interference call to seal the Lions-Eagles game ✍️ pic.twitter.com/7Dz2sJ4xO7
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) November 17, 2025
Jalen Hurts threw what appeared to be a routine incompletion to A.J. Brown, but Rock Ya-Sin was called for defensive pass interference. The two of them had a bit of contact during the play, but a flag seemed to be a bit of a stretch, especially in a potentially game-deciding moment. Kemp defended the call in a controversial statement.
“The official observed the receiver’s arm getting grabbed and restricting him from going up to make the catch. So, the ball was in the air, there was a grab at the arm, restricted him, and he called defensive pass interference,” explained Kemp.
The Lions may not have been unable to come back on a final possession anyway, but the controversial call essentially took away their opportunity to potentially do so. The Eagles’ defense, which ranks ninth on PFSN’s Impact Rankings this year, shut down their offense all night long. They surrendered just nine points, the second-fewest of any team on this Sunday, despite playing one of the highest-scoring NFL teams.