Did Officials Botch Jared Goff Trick-Play?
The general consensus regarding the penalty that cost Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff an early touchdown was there involved a significant amount of confusion.
Goff was called for illegal motion, but the officials needed far too much time to throw a flag, leading many to question if the league called in to assist with the understanding of the rules.
On the television broadcast, rules analyst Terry McCauley quickly informed viewers, "He (Goff) takes a position behind the center. He’s got to step back and pause for a second and establish as a back before he goes in motion. He didn’t. He stayed in motion. This is illegal. This is an illegal formation.”
Referee Craig Wrolstad shared following Sunday Night Football in a pool report that it was determined Goff did not properly reset behind the line of scrimmage and establish himself as a back.
"There were a lot of moving parts on that play. We had a quarterback go up to the line of scrimmage. He paused momentarily in the quarterback position, didn't get under center, but he walked up and stopped like he was the quarterback," Wrolstad explained. "Then, he went in motion, and they threw the ball to him for a touchdown. If the quarterback assumes the position and then goes in motion, he has to then stop for a second before they snap the ball.
"Because he gets out of the view and some of the officials, we had to piece it together as a crew as to whether he stopped initially and then whether he stopped when he went in motion."
Wrolstad explained the crew did not receive any sort of assistance from the league or any league representatives in Kanas City.
"It was determined after a lengthy discussion that he stopped at the quarterback position and then went in motion. But when he does that, he has to stop when he goes into motion."
Former Lions offensive lineman T.J. Lang indicated he found it difficult to believe the officials did not receive any outside assistance.
“You’re never gonna convince me of that," said Lang. "Like how does that operation happen where a minute goes by and then you come up together and say, 'Hey guys do you think he was too close to the center?' If you see it, your job is to call it live and then discuss afterwards. So no, you’re not gonna convince me.”
Bears Dominate Eagles in Stunning Upset, Proving They’re Legitimate Playoff Contenders
Philadelphia, PA – Nov. 28, 2025 – The Chicago Bears’ shocking 24-15 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles is not just a win—it’s a statement. A statement that the Bears are here to stay and they are no longer a team to be overlooked in the NFC playoff picture.
After a rocky 0-2 start to the season, the Bears have now won nine of their last ten games, with this victory marking their fifth straight. More importantly, they have firmly planted themselves in playoff contention, moving to 9-3 on the year. The win not only gives them a two-game cushion over the Detroit Lions in the NFC North, but also pushes them ahead of the Eagles in the standings, making them the number two seed if the season were to end today.
So how did they pull off this monumental upset?
The Bears took a page out of football’s history book. The team abandoned the pass-heavy play calling that’s taken over the modern NFL and instead imposed a dominant, old-school running game that turned the Eagles’ defense into a helpless spectator.
Chicago’s running back tandem of D'Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai was simply unstoppable. Swift, who has been one of the most consistent backs this season, rushed for 125 yards on 18 carries, while Monangai, the seventh-round pick from this year’s draft, shocked everyone with a monster 130-yard performance on 22 carries. Together, they shredded the Eagles’ defense for a total of 281 rushing yards on 47 attempts. This marks the first time in 2025 that the Eagles allowed multiple 100-yard rushers in a single game—a feat that underscores just how thoroughly the Bears controlled the line of scrimmage.
The Eagles’ defense, which had previously been dominant against the run, was left reeling after the Bears’ powerful offensive display. Despite boasting one of the NFL’s best defensive lines, the Eagles couldn’t stop the Bears’ rushing attack from the opening whistle. Chicago’s offensive line, a unit that had been a weak point in previous seasons, deserves significant credit for their physicality and cohesion in this matchup. They consistently opened up gaping holes for Swift and Monangai, allowing the Bears to dominate the clock and control the tempo of the game.
"This was a team effort," said Bears' head coach Ben Johnson, who has quickly proven his worth as one of the NFL’s most innovative offensive minds. "We knew we had to be physical. We wanted to impose our will on them and control the game. Our offensive line was outstanding, and D’Andre and Kyle ran like men possessed. It was exactly the kind of game we needed."
The Bears’ defense also deserves recognition for holding up their end of the bargain. Despite giving up 15 points, they consistently pressured Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and kept Philadelphia from ever gaining a real rhythm on offense. The game was never really in doubt after Chicago built a two-possession lead midway through the second half.
For general manager Ryan Poles, the victory feels like a culmination of his efforts to rebuild this team into a true contender. Poles revamped the Bears’ offensive line, a unit that had been one of the NFL’s worst in recent years, and brought in Johnson to revitalize the offense. Now, with a potent running game and a solid defense, the Bears are ready to challenge for a top spot in the NFC.
“We’ve got the talent to compete with the best of them,” Poles said postgame. “We’ve come a long way from the start of the season, but we’re just getting started.”
With the win over the Eagles, the Bears silenced any doubts about their legitimacy as a playoff contender. In a season where many have doubted their credentials, Chicago’s physical, ground-and-pound style has made it clear: they are a team to be reckoned with.
As the Bears continue to roll, this performance will likely be remembered as the moment they truly announced their presence in the NFC. And with their playoff hopes firmly alive, expect this young, hungry team to be a dangerous opponent for anyone who stands in their way.
