Vikings’ TJ Hockenson rips NFL officials
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Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson was upset that his touchdown pass was overturned in Sunday afternoon’s 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hockenson thought he had scored a critical goal with 3:05 left in the game. Officials ruled it a field goal, but that was overturned after replay. Minnesota decided to go for a field goal to increase the deficit to six points and failed to get the ball back.
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Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) dives to catch a pass in the end zone that is ruled incomplete during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The veteran tight end was determined to catch the ball.
“There was nothing to reverse this,” he said. via ESPN. “I mean, I was there. I felt it, my hands were under the ball, I caught it, and I don’t understand it. I basically don’t understand the catch rule at this point. … I don’t understand how New York can call and say, ‘Yeah, that’s not a catch’ when there’s no evidence that it wasn’t. So I caught it. I think that’s ridiculous.”
All scoring plays and turnovers are subject to review.
Mark Butterworth, vice president of instant replay, suggested in an interview with a snooker reporter that Hockenson had lost control of the ball while on the ground.
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Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) warms up before his game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 19, 2025 at US Bank Stadium. (Brad Rempel/Imagn Images)
“The call on the field was a touchdown, so it’s up to the replay to stop the play. We used feed-enhanced throws to show that he lost control of the ball as he was heading down the field (he needs control of the ball throughout the catch process),” Butterworth said. “The ball hit the ground. Then he regained control of the ball. That’s why we converted the ball with an incomplete pass.”
The touchdown and the extra point would have made it a two-point game.
Hockenson finished with six catches for 43 yards.
The Vikings’ offense wasted some carries despite only losing by six points. Carson Wentz threw interceptions on back-to-back drives, one of which was turned into a six by Jalyx Hunt.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell walks the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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Minnesota drops to 3-3 with the loss.
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