The replay overturned a touchdown by Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson with 2:58 remaining. Hockenson showed disbelief when referee Bill Vinovich announced the decision.
He was furious after the 28-22 loss to the Eagles, arguing that he had “control (of the ball) the whole time.”
“There was nothing to overturn it” Hockenson said, via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “I mean, I was there. I felt it. Hands under the ball; hang it; and I don’t understand. I don’t fundamentally understand the capture rule at this point. . . . I don’t understand how New York can call and just say, “Yeah, it’s not a trap,” when there was no evidence that it wasn’t. I mean, I had it. I think it’s ridiculous.
Hockenson said two members of the officiating team disagreed with the reversal.
Hockenson’s play on third-and-2 from the Philadelphia 15. They ended up burning another 1:01 behind before settling for a Will Reichard basket with 1:57 left. The Vikings didn’t see the ball again.
In a pool report, vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth said there was clear and obvious video evidence that the ball hit the ground as Hockenson landed.
“The call on the field was a touchdown,” Butterworth said, “so it’s the skill of the replay to stop the play. We used enhanced throws to show that as he was heading toward the ground – he needs to control the ball throughout the catch process – he lost control of the ball. The ball hit the ground. Then he regained control of the ball. So we turned it over in an incomplete pass. “
The Vikings went 1 of 6 in the red zone and Carson Wentz threw two interceptions, including one that Jalyx Hunt returned 42 yards for a touchdown.
“That’s how it is,” Hockenson said of his canceled touchdown. “I have to move on to other plays. . . . I mean, you can’t go one for six (in the red zone) and win a game with two turnovers. We had (the opportunity) at the end, obviously. But yeah, it’s tough.”
