The Week 10 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, held at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2025, ended in a narrow 10-7 victory for the Eagles. However, it wasn’t the close score that captured the most attention—it was the controversial Tush Push play that ignited accusations of referee favoritism.
The Controversial “Tush Push” That Changed the Game
With the game on the line and the Eagles facing a crucial 4th & 1, they turned to their trademark “Brotherly Shove.” Quarterback Jalen Hurts was pushed forward by his offensive line, led by Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. A slow-motion replay clearly showed both players moving early before the snap, a violation that should have resulted in a false start penalty. However, no flag was thrown, and the play was allowed to stand. The Eagles capitalized on the extended drive, eventually scoring a field goal that proved to be the game-winning points.
Jason Kelce Admits: “If the refs hadn’t favored us, we probably wouldn’t have won”
In an unexpected admission, Eagles legend Jason Kelce, known for his pivotal role in the Tush Push, opened up about the controversial play on his
New Heights podcast. Kelce, who is known for his candor, shocked fans by acknowledging the possibility that the referees’ leniency helped secure the win for his team.
“Eagles won, and of course, I’m happy for that,” Kelce said. “But to be honest, if the refs had called everything fair, we probably wouldn’t have beaten the Packers. That’s just the truth.”
Kelce went on to explain that the Tush Push is notoriously difficult to officiate, happening in a split second with multiple players moving simultaneously. While he emphasized that there was no intention to cheat, he admitted that “sometimes the rules can’t keep up with the chaos of the game.”
“It’s not about cheating, it’s about the chaos of that moment. If the refs missed it, it’s because the play happens too fast. But yeah… it was a missed call.”
Social Media Erupts Over Referee Bias Allegations
Kelce’s candid remarks sent shockwaves through social media, sparking heated debates. Major NFL accounts such as @MLFootball and @TomPelissero shared the controversial clip, amplifying the discussion.
MLFootball tweeted, “Refs never call false start on Eagles. Unreal.”
Tom Pelissero added, “Didn’t look right, but no flag. And that play decided the game.”
Packers fans were quick to voice their frustration, accusing the NFL of “protecting” the Eagles due to their success with the Tush Push. Eagles supporters, on the other hand, argued that Green Bay had received similar no-calls earlier in the game.
Football analysts like Rich Eisen and Dan Orlovsky weighed in, calling the incident “a wake-up call for the league.” They pointed out that false starts, unlike other penalties, are not reviewable, even when they have a direct impact on the game’s outcome.
The Missed Calls That Fueled the Controversy
Throughout the second half, several key missed calls added fuel to the fire. Two clear false starts by Eagles offensive linemen went uncalled, and a blatant holding penalty by Lane Johnson was ignored during a critical fourth-quarter drive. On the other hand, the Packers were penalized for an offside call on a similar sneak attempt by quarterback Jordan Love.
These inconsistencies led many to believe that the Eagles were benefiting from referee leniency. Ironically, it was the Packers who had earlier proposed banning the Tush Push during the NFL Rules Committee meeting in 2025.
Jason Kelce: “I love the Eagles, but fairness matters more.”
In a final moment of reflection, Kelce spoke out about the importance of fairness in football, an issue that transcends team loyalty.
“I’ll always love the Eagles, but football’s about fairness. You can’t win on missed calls forever. It’s not who we are,” Kelce said, delivering a powerful message that resonated with both Eagles fans and critics alike.
His words carried weight, as Kelce has built his legacy on integrity and toughness, and his honesty about the controversial call left a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts
The Eagles’ 10-7 victory over the Packers will be remembered not just for the close score, but for Jason Kelce’s rare admission about the influence of officiating on the outcome. While Kelce did not blame the referees or his teammates, he used the moment to stress the importance of integrity and fairness in the sport.
“Maybe we won because of a missed call today, but if we don’t learn from it, someday we’ll lose for the same reason.” – Jason Kelce
