Controversial PI Call Against Lions DB on A.J. Brown Explained by NFL Ref Alex Kemp

The Detroit Lions suffered a 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football after a controversial pass interference penalty late in the fourth quarter denied them the chance to get the ball back for a potential game-tying drive.

After the game, referee Alex Kemp explained the flag on Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin while he was defending Eagles receiver A.J. Brown, saying that an official "observed the receiver's arm getting grabbed and restricting him from going up to make the catch."

Had the penalty not been called on Ya-Sin, the Lions would've held the Eagles to a three-and-out before getting the ball back with just over 90 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Instead, the call gave Philadelphia a fresh set of downs, and an eight-yard run by running back Saquon Barkley picked up the final first down needed to ice the game.

▶️ Full Lions-Eagles Recap

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The penalty even drew the ire of Sunday Night Football lead analyst Cris Collinsworth, who called it out for being egregious in real-time.

"Oh, come on! Come on! That is terrible! That is an absolutely terrible call that's going to decide this football game!" Collinsworth said as a replay of the play was shown. "If anything, it's an offensive push!"

Brown, whose production has been below his usual standard in recent weeks, led the Eagles with seven catches for 49 yards in a game that lacked many offensive highlights. However, he was lucky enough to be on the positive end of the call that played a crucial part in deciding the outcome of the game.

The Eagles (8-2) will look to extend their win streak to five straight games when they meet the Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1) next Sunday, while the Lions (6-4) will look to bounce back against the New York Giants (2-9).