January 13, 2026 – In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through the NFL community, legendary referee Ed Hochuli, widely regarded as the league’s top official during his tenure, has come forward with explosive claims about the recent Wild Card playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles, defending Super Bowl champions, fell to the 49ers in a heartbreaking 23-19 upset at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026. While the loss has been dissected for on-field miscues, Hochuli’s revelations suggest something far more sinister: a “rigged call” that allegedly tilted the scales and robbed Philly of a potential victory.

The game itself was a gritty, low-scoring affair that highlighted the Eagles’ season-long struggles, but it was marred by several controversial moments that left fans and analysts questioning the officiating. Let’s break down the key incidents that set the stage for Hochuli’s bombshell.

The Controversial Roughing the Passer Penalty

Midway through the third quarter, with the Eagles leading 10-7 and driving deep into 49ers territory, a pivotal play unfolded. Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat appeared to make a clean sack on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, but officials flagged him for roughing the passer. The call extended San Francisco’s drive, leading to a field goal that tied the game at 10-10. Replays showed minimal contact—Sweat’s helmet barely grazed Purdy’s shoulder after the ball was released—yet the penalty stood. Eagles fans erupted on social media, with many calling it a “phantom flag” that shifted momentum. Post-game analysis from ESPN noted that similar hits went uncalled earlier in the match, fueling suspicions of inconsistent enforcement.

Zero Penalties on the 49ers: A Statistical Anomaly?

Throughout the entire game, the 49ers committed zero accepted penalties, a rarity in high-stakes playoff football. The Eagles, meanwhile, were hit with seven flags totaling 65 yards, including holding calls on their offensive line that stalled two promising drives. One particularly egregious non-call came in the fourth quarter when 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward appeared to grab Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s jersey on a deep route, preventing a potential touchdown catch. The lack of whistles against San Francisco drew ire from Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who was seen arguing vehemently with officials on the sideline. CBS Sports later reported this as one of the most lopsided penalty differentials in recent playoff history, prompting debates about home-field bias or something more orchestrated.

The Eagles’ Self-Inflicted Wounds: Drops and Offensive Woes

Adding to the frustration, the Eagles’ offense, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, was plagued by uncharacteristic drops. Receivers let four catchable passes slip through their fingers, including a critical third-down drop by DeVonta Smith in the red zone that forced a field goal instead of a touchdown. These miscues contributed to Philly’s meager 307 total yards against a depleted 49ers defense missing stars like Nick Bosa. While these were player errors, they compounded the narrative of a game that felt “off,” with the Eagles unable to capitalize on opportunities that might have been preserved without the disputed calls.

Enter Ed Hochuli, the muscle-bound ref who officiated from 1990 to 2017 and earned a reputation for fairness and physical presence on the field. In an exclusive interview with a sports podcast, the 75-year-old Hochuli, now retired and living in Arizona, claimed he reviewed game footage at the request of an anonymous NFL insider. “I’ve seen thousands of games, and this one stinks,” Hochuli stated. “That roughing the passer call? It wasn’t just bad—it was rigged. I have evidence from internal referee communications showing pressure from league officials to ‘balance’ the game in favor of underdogs for ratings. The no-penalty streak on the 49ers? That’s not coincidence; it’s manipulation.”

Hochuli pointed to timestamped replay angles and alleged whistleblower emails suggesting the NFL wanted a Cinderella story with the sixth-seeded 49ers advancing, boosting viewership in a postseason dominated by favorites. He stopped short of naming names but hinted at involvement from the commissioner’s office, calling for an independent investigation. “The Eagles had that win in their grasp,” he added. “This call stole it from them and from the fans.”

The NFL has yet to respond officially, but sources within the league dismiss Hochuli’s claims as “baseless speculation from a retired official seeking relevance.” Eagles players, including Hurts, have remained diplomatic, focusing on offseason improvements, but fan forums are ablaze with conspiracy theories. Sirianni, in a post-game presser, alluded to “questionable decisions” without elaborating.

As the 49ers advance to face the next opponent, this scandal could overshadow the playoffs. Is the NFL truly rigged, or is this just sour grapes from a Philly faithful still stinging from the loss? Watch Hochuli’s full interview below and decide for yourself.