A questionable pass interference call late in the Detroit Lions’ Week 11 game against the Philadelphia Eagles sparked major backlash from fans.
With under two minutes left and the Eagles facing third-and-8, officials flagged Lions defensive back Rock Ya-Sin for interfering with receiver A.J. Brown. The penalty essentially allowed Philadelphia to drain the clock and secure a 16–9 win.
Despite the uproar, Ya-Sin himself wasn’t among the critics.
Speaking with reporters, he credited Brown’s reputation and shrugged off the call. “A.J.’s an elite player, an All-Pro. Guys like that get those calls sometimes,” he said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “I’ve just got to be better.”
Ya-Sin added that he didn’t ask officials for a breakdown of the penalty. “They do their job, I try to do mine. That’s how it goes.”
The flag set the Eagles up with a first down at the 1:47 mark. After Detroit used its final timeout, Saquon Barkley converted another third down on the ensuing series, effectively ending the game.
Media Reaction to the Penalty
While Ya-Sin took the moment with professionalism, analysts were far more vocal. Pat Pickens of Heavy Sports labeled it a “phantom” call, and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said he hated seeing that kind of decision at any point—especially in crunch time.
NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth was the most blunt during the live broadcast: “Come on. That’s awful. A terrible call that’s going to decide this game.”
Afterward, referee Alex Kemp defended the decision, explaining that the covering official spotted Ya-Sin grabbing Brown’s arm and preventing him from attempting the catch.
Where the Lions Go From Here
Ya-Sin’s reaction reflected the perspective of a seasoned player who understands how officiating often leans toward marquee stars. Brown’s status certainly didn’t hurt his chances of drawing a flag.
Even without the penalty, Detroit still faced a steep climb: scoring a touchdown and extra point in the final minutes, something the team had struggled to do all half. The Lions had gone six straight drives without reaching the end zone, and kicker Jake Bates had already missed an extra point earlier.
The defeat dropped Detroit to 6–4, sliding them into third place in the NFC North. They’ll attempt to bounce back against the 2–9 New York Giants before hosting the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. Their final stretch—a slate that includes the Rams, Steelers, and Bears—features teams squarely in the playoff hunt.
With such a difficult road ahead, the Lions can’t afford to linger on the controversial ending in Philadelphia.
