The Minnesota Vikings had three turnovers in the first half against the Eagles, including a backbreaker with 34 seconds left in the first half when Kirk Cousins hit Justin Jefferson and the superstar wide receiver fumbled the ball over the pylon for a touchback.
This was ruled a touchback for Minnesota. #MINvsPHI on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/eMkDgB1MP1 pic.twitter.com/Nhh7NPadlF— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2023
The officials’ ruling on the field was that the ball was fumbled out of bounds inside the one-yard line. It went to automatic review and the replay somehow determined that the ball was fumbled over the top of the pylon, which by rule results in a touchback and a turnover.
Related: 5 things that stood out in the Vikings’ loss to the Eagles
How replay officials were able to 100% determine the ball went over the pylon is unclear because none of the replays shown on the television broadcast were clear.
Would be nice to have laser technology going straight up from the pylon by the NFL has a finite budget.
— Brandon Mileski (@BrandonMileski) September 15, 2023
It appears that the majority of people reacting to the ruling, whether they’re Vikings fans or not, is pure disgust with what many are calling the “worst rule” in football.
The turnover led to the Eagles ending the half with a 61-yard field goal and a 13-7 lead.
TRUE OR FALSE: The touchback rule is the worst rule in the #NFL and needs to be abolished immediately pic.twitter.com/xNVvpSgSYU
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 15, 2023
Vikings about to get burned by the worst rule in football
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) September 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1702495930400809110
I will say… The fumble-touchback *is* the dumbest rule in football
— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) September 15, 2023
