NFL World Clashes Over Saquon Barkley Roughing Penalty That Led to Eagles TD

Opinions were split on the flag thrown for a late hit on the superstar running back.

Saquon Barkley gets hit late / NFL on FO

Saquon Barkley was all over the place for the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the NFC championship game against the Washington Commanders. He scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and, late in the first half, even managed to draw a penalty to give his team a huge advantage.

With Philly up 20-12, Barkley caught a pass on third-and-10 and sprinted to get the first down. However, it quickly became clear he wouldn't get there, so Barkley ran out of bounds a few yards short of the line to gain. Commanders cornerback Mike Saintrisil came flying it and hit Barkley right as he went out of bounds. The rookie was flagged for a late hit, giving the Eagles a free first-and-goal. They'd convert and score their fourth touchdown of the half shortly thereafter.

Commanders called for unnecessary roughness on this hit to Barkley as he was going out of bounds. pic.twitter.com/2DG2WRT1lW

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 26, 2025

The NFL world was split on whether the controversial call was deserved. The importance of the flag couldn't be understated as it put Philly in a tremendous position to score another touchdown instead of settling for a field goal or risking it all on fourth down.

Barkley's lowered his shoulder, the defender is already moving in that direction and has started his tackle process, it's a key third down. Just hate that call.

There's too much attention on how big the hit it on calls like this, rather than the context. pic.twitter.com/WGRyvIkfWy

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) January 26, 2025

Saquon Barkley is so good the refs are treating him like Patrick Mahomes.pic.twitter.com/l8EGDu9GFc

— Covers (@Covers) January 26, 2025

Be real, this is so stupid. What can a defender do here? If he pulls up a touch Barkley rolls him and possibly scores. This isn't a conspiracy or anything like that- I just think they've bungled the rule interpretations. pic.twitter.com/7c3mOwyoqz

— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) January 26, 2025

Mike Sainristil reacts to the late hit call that gave the Eagles a fresh set of downs. pic.twitter.com/FY4hu0Wxhv

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2025

Before the TD, there was a late hit call against Mike Sainristil.

"THERE'S A PENALTY! OH MY GOODNESS!" - Kevin Burkhardt

"I think that's a good call." - Tom Brady

"The left foot's down out of bounds just prior to the contact." - Mike Pereira pic.twitter.com/upVzZ1hUw5 https://t.co/by8m9uRo36

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 26, 2025

that's a tough call on 0...

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) January 26, 2025

Late hit. Not close.

— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) January 26, 2025

A bang-bang play on the sideline should go a no-call. Those flags are supposed to be for egregious late hits

— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) January 26, 2025

We’ve gotta do something about these late hit out of bounds calls. This is ridiculous. Are defenders supposed to be watching feet instead of the player? If it’s egregious, call it. If it’s simultaneous, it just invites Mahomes-ian BS from ball carriers.

— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) January 26, 2025

Wowwwww such a soft call on Mike. That’s not a late hit.

— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB) January 26, 2025

It's a huge play and one that the football world will be discussing at length if the Eagles wind up winning the game.

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