PHILADELPHIA — Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow made a crucial mistake that could have been costly.
In overtime, the Eagles had to stop the Bills from scoring a touchdown on their opening drive on Sunday. Buffalo received the ball first and quickly drove down the field.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen made a big play when he rushed for 15 yards on third-and-9 to Philadelphia’s 45-yard-line with 8:06 remaining. On the ensuing snap, Allen threw short of wide receiver Trent Sherfield.
The Eagles needed two more stops to force a long field-goal attempt and get the ball back. But a 15-yard penalty was called against Morrow for roughing the passer on second down. This extended Buffalo’s drive to their 26-yard-line.
Ultimately, the Eagles overcame Morrow’s penalty by making three key stops, forcing a 40-yard field goal and scoring a game-winning touchdown in their 37-34 overtime win at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 12.
Was it a bad call?
“I didn’t feel like I was late,” Morrow told NJ Advance Media after the game. “I didn’t feel I was in his head and neck area. I felt like [Allen] flopped. He was crying the moment I touched him.”
Morrow pleaded with one of the referees after the play, but he was told the penalty was called because he didn’t ease up. The 28-year-old linebacker told the referee he believed the flag was thrown because of Allen’s reputation as a player.
In response, Morrow was told this: “[The] [referee] said, ‘I know your name.’ I said, ‘there’s no way, you’ve never heard of it.’ We had a little back-and-forth. I let it go. I didn’t agree with it.”
The penalty was also criticized on social media.
Pro Football Focus lead NFL analyst Sam Monson wrote on X: “Lol Josh Allen’s highlight flop reel is getting extensive.” NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark posted a poll that asked if it was a bad call. The majority voted yes.
On the CBS broadcast, Tony Romo said Allen sold the call. Once he was hit, the Pro Bowl quarterback fell backwards to the ground, even though the contact was light
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