Saquon Barkley gets away with holding penalty on key Eagles’ touchdown drive

The Eagles seemed to get away with holding at a pivotal moment in the first half of Sunday’s 55-23 NFC Championship win over the Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. 

Philadelphia was down to fourth-and-5 with a little more than two minutes left to play in the opening half, when Jalen Hurts found AJ Brown for a 31-yard pass that kept the drive alive and eventually led to an Eagles touchdown. 

But the big play was one that should have been penalized due to a Saquon Barkley holding infraction that was missed by the refs, according to Fox NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira. 

Saquon Barkley wasn’t called for holding on this play in the NFC championship game. Fox

“I think [Saquon Barkley] gets away with a little bit of a hook,” analyst Tom Brady said on the broadcast before asking Pereira for his opinion. 

“I don’t think there’s anything to think about. That was clearly a hold and should’ve been called,” Pereira responded, prompting play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt to sound shocked at what had happened. 

The non-call certainly had an impact with the Eagles extending their lead to 20-12 at the time and added onto it again later after the Commanders fumbled setting up another Philly touchdown. 

Saquon Barkley gets away with a holding call on Jan. 26, 2025. Fox
Saquon Barkley celebrates a touchdown during the Eagles’ win over the Commanders on Jan. 26, 2025. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The Commanders had gone into halftime down 27-15, but they did manage to cut into the deficit with a late third quarter touchdown that made it a 34-23 game. 

Barkley had two of his three touchdowns in the first half, including a 60-yard score on Philly’s first offensive play of the game.

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