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The Philadelphia Eagles entered their Week 15 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers unsure of how quarterback Jalen Hurts would play on Sunday. Hurts was seen wearing a medical device on the ring finger of his left (non-throwing) hand. (Hurts admitted after the game the finger was broken.)
The injury didn’t seem to impede his ability too much. He went 25-of-32 passing for 290 yards and two touchdowns. He added another 45 yards on the ground in the Eagles’ 27-13 win over the Steelers in front of a crowd of 69,879 at Lincoln Financial Field.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers were flagged for a fight they didn’t start
Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) push and shove each other after a play during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Some Steelers fans thought the Eagles were gifted an unfair advantage by the league’s officiating crew. As Mark Kaboly with The Pat McAfee Show would point out on X, league referee Alan Eck claimed no punches were thrown by an Eagles player in a fight involving both teams in the first quarter.
“Referee Alan Eck: ‘No punches were observed on the field (by the Eagles). There was no video evidence of punches observed by the Philadelphia Eagles,” Kaboly posted on X.
However, video evidence appears to show Eagles defensive back Darius Slay threw the first punch.
Steelers fans think the NFL officials helped the Philadelphia Eagles
Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) shake hands after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) shake hands after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The officials penalized the Steelers 15 yards for unnecessary roughness. Pittsburgh would be penalized for six more yards (five penalties for 60 yards) than the Eagles (seven penalties for 54 yards).
“The refs wanted the eagles to win that game! On the fight in the end zone Slay threw the first punch yet the Steelers only get penalized! This is why people think the NFL is rigged,” wrote a fan.
“Refs rigged this game. Najee lost if for us but the refs really lost it. The carter slap was before the ball was punted. And there is multiple eagles players punching Steelers infront of the refs. Don’t care what anybody says. So obviously rigged,” posted another.
“The NFL is rigged. The refs were clearly biased.. They controlled the outcome of the game…and its all over the internet! The videos don’t lie! Punches to the head in front of a ref, smack clearly BEFORE the kick!!! Its clear as day and the whole world knows,” commented one fan.
“No penalty on the eagles tho! NFL is so rigged,” suggested another.
“Now I’m starting to believe it is rigged eagles with no penalty and they’re the ones that started it,” wrote a fan.
“If you want to witness rigged look at the refs in the Steelers vs eagles game . Most obvious one sided calls you’ll ever see,” argued another.
Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni meet on the field after game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni meet on the field after game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images