On-Field Refs Did Not Want to Reverse Vikings Touchdown Catch

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T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings played to lose on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Carson Wentz struggled in a way that we have not seen since he took over for an injured JJ McCarthy, especially in the red zone, and the Vikings defense were leaking explosives like an unkempt WWII bunker.

The Eagles did everything within their power to keep Wentz & Co in the game, but in the end, the Vikings were just more determined to take the L. But there was a moment, late in the fourth quarter, when we thought they might have a chance to steal one.

Another replay controversy for the Minnesota Vikings

It came with just over three minutes left, and trailing by nine points. That’s when Carson Wentz hit TJ Hockenson in the back of the endzone for what appeared to be a touchdown. Hockenson stretched out, caught the ball, pulled it into his chest and held on after he hit the ground, or so we thought.

Ultimately, the replay team back in New York overturned the call on the field, of a catch, ruling that Hockenson did not secure the football before sliding out of bounds, even though it never hit the ground.

Following the reversal, Hockenson was furious. After the game, he said that referees on the field told him they didn’t want to reverse it, but that New York overruled them.

“I mean, I had control the whole time. My hands were underneath it. I don’t quite understand how the refs on the field, even after New York overturned it, the refs on the field are saying it’s a catch. They said New York overturns it, so they have nothing to say. I don’t understand how New York can just call in and say it’s not a catch. There was no evidence that it wasn’t. I mean I had it. I just think it’s ridiculous, especially when every ref came up to me after and says we had that as a catch. I don’t understand it.”

T.J. Hockenson

The unfortunate reality is that we’re still dealing with multiple different levels of officiating that doesn’t understand what constitutes a catch. This has been a problem for years, and is why instant replay has been instituted to such a significant extent.

Postgame vice president of instant replay, Mark Butterworth, talked with pool reporter Kevin Seifert. He answered multiple questions about the overturned touchdown.

Whether it was a catch or not, it’s hardly comforting for Hockenson to hear from those governing the game after an overturn is made, that they believe their superiors got it wrong. It would have been less controversial had Carson Wentz just thrown a good pass, however.

Minnesota went on to convert a 4th and 2 play that wasted another minute of time and just led to a field goal. Kevin O’Connell’s offense never got the ball back, and the late game execution sank an otherwise uninspiring performance.

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