The Jacksonville Jaguars scored a defensive touchdown on a very controversial play in their game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
The Eagles were leading 22-8 late in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Saquon Barkley took a handoff and appeared to be tripped up by a defender. The running back then lost possession as he hit the ground. Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker scooped up the loose ball and returned it the other way for a touchdown.
Don't look now…#JAXvsPHI on CBS pic.twitter.com/e1SZUQawAB
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 3, 2024
While the ground clearly caused the fumble, the question is whether there was contact from a defensive player that caused Barkley to fall to the ground. The ground can’t cause a fumble if a player is down by contact. But when a player loses possession upon hitting the ground when he was not touched, that is still a fumble.
Replays appeared to show that Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller hit Barkley’s foot and caused Barkley to lose his balance. Despite that, the turnover was automatically reviewed and the call on the field was confirmed.
CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore explained that the contact has to be what caused the ball carrier to fall to the ground in order for the ground to not be able to cause the fumble. Steratore and many others felt that is exactly what happened on the play.
Our @GeneSteratore gives his analysis on the Saquon Barkley fumble. pic.twitter.com/Jy5Kos0cIo
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) November 3, 2024
The call was a huge one, as the Jaguars cut the Eagles’ lead to one score after Jacksonville was trailing 22-0 in the second half.
