T.J. Hockenson Doesn’t Hold Back After Vikings Lose to Eagles
The Minnesota Vikings fell to 3-3 on the 2025 NFL season after losing 28-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles on October 19 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Nonetheless, a moment in the game could have given the Vikings the victory.
Bill Vinovich’s crew initially awarded T.J. Hockenson a 15-yard touchdown on third-and-2 with 2:58 remaining. Nonetheless, in the NFL, all scoring plays are automatically reviewed, and that’s when the controversy came into the picture.
Early replays showed the ball might have shifted as Hockenson hit the ground, but league rules say the call on the field stands unless video shows clear, undeniable evidence to overturn it. While speaking to the media after the loss, Hockenson was livid over the referee’s decision.
“There was nothing to overturn it,” Hockenson said postgame (h/t Kevin Seifert of ESPN). “I mean, I was out there; I felt it, hands under the ball, snag it and I don’t understand; I don’t basically understand the catch rule at this point. … I don’t understand how New York can call in and just be like, ‘Yeah, that’s not a catch,’ when there was no evidence that it wasn’t; I mean I had it; I think it’s ridiculous.
“It is what it is. Got to move on other plays. … I mean you can’t go one for six [in the red zone] and win a ball game with two turnovers. We had the [opportunity] at the end, obviously. But yeah, tough one.”
Instant Replay Exec Sounds Off on Vikings
Despite the remarks from Hockenson, the vice president of instant replay, Mark Butterworth, said that the decision to overturn the touchdown was the correct call.
“The ruling on the field was a touchdown,” Butterworth said. “So it’s replay’s jurisdiction to stop the game. We used broadcast-enhanced shots to show that as he was going to the ground — he needs control of the ball throughout the process of the catch — he lost control of the ball. The ball hit the ground. Then, he regained control of the ball. So therefore, we overturned it to an incomplete pass.”
Vikings Couldn’t Overcome Controversial Call
If the touchdown had stood and the Vikings made the extra point, they would have trailed 28-26 with all three timeouts still in hand. Earlier in the game, they had several chances to capitalize but came up short, scoring just one touchdown on six trips to the red zone.
The Vikings also turned the ball over twice, including a costly interception that Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt returned 42 yards for a touchdown. It was one of two interceptions that veteran Carson Wentz committed in the loss to Philadelphia.
Despite the two picks, Wentz did pass for 313 yards and put the team in position to find the end zone. Nonetheless, that interception that went for a touchdown was a backbreaker for Minnesota.
As a result, it will be interesting to see what the Vikings will do under center for next week, whether they stick with Wentz or hand the job back to J.J. McCarthy, who will have another week of practice to determine whether he’s 100 percent and ready for live NFL action.
One drive by the Commanders should be the final straw for a drastic change after embarrassing loss to Cowboys
The Washington Commanders lost an important NFC East game against the Dallas Cowboys 44-22, and it was a nightmare of a loss.
Injuries can only be an excuse for so long, with Deatrich Wise and Will Harris hurt for a while, but this loss showed that the Commanders have the same problem every single week. And there are no changes to show from it. The Commanders are 3-4, and changes need to be made on this defense that continues to be one of the worst in the league every week.
The offense scored right before halftime to make it a one-score game, then the defense had its worst drive of the season, which should be enough for drastic changes.
The defense imploded before halftime
Jayden Daniels led the short-handed offense down the field for a touchdown to make it a 20-15 game, with the Commanders getting the ball back in the second half. All the defense had to do was get a stop in the last 45 seconds of the half, but they couldn't even do that.
Dak Prescott hit George Pickens for a 44-yard bomb against Marshon Lattimore. The Cowboys followed it up with a 33-yard run by Javonte Williams, who dragged Quan Martin for 10 yards to the two-yard line. Prescott ended the drive with a wide-open touchdown to Jake Ferguson to extend the lead to 27-15 with 10 seconds left.
Dak drops a dime to Pickens!
WASvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/DoCT3KhhWg
— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2025
The offense did its job, and a 35-second drive for a touchdown should be the last nail in the coffin before jobs are lost and players are benched. The defense has allowed the same explosive plays all season, and no adjustments have been made. Lattimore should be benched with Jonathan Jones back from his injury, and an honest conversation needs to be had about defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
He's doing what he can with what he has, but the lack of changes is inexcusable. We continue to see the same players making mistakes, and none of the younger linebackers get a real chance to show what they have, as linebacker Bobby Wagner continues to struggle in obvious passing situations.
Daniels left the game early with a hamstring injury, Terry McLaurin is still out with no timetable for a return , and it feels like the season is getting away from the Commanders. It's time to see what you have for the rest of the season and make changes. The results couldn't be worse, so what do you have to lose? The Commanders have a gauntlet of a schedule left with the Kansas City Chiefs coming up next, and they have a lot to think about before the trade deadline.
