They didn't anticipate another daunting opponent taking the field — the officials.
First, let's get the game's result out of the way — the Dolphins lost 31-17 to the Eagles in a nationally televised primetime matchup between two 5-1 teams. They played poorly, are a badly injured team that became even more banged up throughout the game, and haven't beaten a team this season worth a damn.
Not great! But they also got the shit end of the officiating stick all Sunday Night Football long. All of these things are true, all at once.
Before we get into the carnage video, the stats themselves paint the picture. Miami was called for ten penalties totaling 70 yards, many of them coming in critical instances, while the Eagles logged as many accepted penalties as you and I — zero. None. Apparently, Philly did no wrong to speak of and had a near flawless game on the penalty side.
It's commonplace in any sport for a team and its fanbase to complain about officiating. Typically, it's a tried and true coping mechanism that makes you feel better about yourself in the face of a bad performance.Congrats to the Eagles on playing a perfect and mistake free game. pic.twitter.com/PN1wLcjY3f
— Will Manso (@WillManso) October 23, 2023
But when the rest of the nation takes to social media to join your side in fist-shaking, you know it's not just your home-team spirit taking the wheel — and the zebras on the field were that bad. A comment from Snapback Sports' founder sums up social media watching the Dolphins get hosed: "Eagles definitely getting some calls tonight."
Turns out Duane Heydt, a key official in the game, grew up in Lehighton, roughly 75 miles away from Philadelphia. He's a veteran college official for the ACC and previously drew ire from fans of the Clemson Tigers, the rival of his reported alma mater University of South Carolina, for his crew's calls against the Tigers in their 2016 win over Georgia Tech. All aboard the conspiracy train!
The skeptics will probably demand evidence of officiating malpractice. If that's you, no worries. The examples of terrible calls against the Dolphins were aplenty, with viral clips galore. Take your pick, your honor.As an impartial viewer, Eagles definitely getting some calls tonight
— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) October 23, 2023
No — take a picture before the NFL deletes the film of this game. It was that embarrassing.
Maybe you're most interested in a Dolphins linebacker getting caught in a WWE choke-slam on his way to making a tackle — a clear hold, personal foul, or hell, a penalty not even invented yet.Guess I’ll just continue to add photos accordingly…
— Mario’s Crytsal Balls (@MrWineAndDine_) October 23, 2023
Mind you, that’s now EIGHT penalties against Miami and ZERO against the Eagles. pic.twitter.com/7RxyiLzoZ6
This would be an illegal act between two shoppers in Walmart. In a football game in Philadelphia, it's a clean play.
Are you more of a fan of Eagles players pulling on the face mask of a Dolphins wide receiver who's attempting to make a pivotal fourth-down catch? Do you love it even more when the clear penalty goes uncalled?WHAT THE HELL: The #NFL refs somehow miss this penalty by the #Eagles player who puts #Dolphins LB David Long in a complete headlock
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 23, 2023
😱😱😱
Just horrendous pic.twitter.com/hy07A6DRt3
Well, if that's your thing, your cup runneth over with excitement. Behold — a clip of not pass interference. Legal!
Maybe when you first started watching football, you said to yourself, You know what there is too much of in this game? Two-hand touch tackles. Good news — the referees in Philadelphia did something about it on Sunday night.James Bradberry grabs the facemask, but no penalty called. Turnover on downs.pic.twitter.com/27KfXPx5Ai
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 23, 2023
Christian Wilkins was the suspect, and his crime was laying hands on Jalen Hurts just as he let go of the football.
There are more examples of the Dolphins not getting a fair shake in Philadelphia, but you get the point. If you're into reliving the pain and would like to find almost every instance of unbelievable officiating in Sunday night's game, below is a good thread that will enable you to inflict that torture on yourself.GROSS: This was called a late hit by the #Dolphins 😳😳😳
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 23, 2023
This league has become so damn soft. I thought this was tackle football, not flag. pic.twitter.com/VPmknrXetI
A banged-up Miami team had a tall task in taking on the Eagles on the road, but it's pretty clear they were up against two teams, one of which had much more control than those wearing green.First off congrats to the #Eagles for winning. NFL — This is a thread of all the missed calls by the refs tonight in the #Dolphins-#Eagles. Rodger Goodell, I’m doing this pro bono.
— Mike McDaniel (@MikMcDaniel) October 23, 2023
1. This is not roughing the passer on Wilkins. He let up right after a light shove. More 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/orpmhVME9r
What can you do? Nothing. Call the police? The officials are the police. In the best-case scenario, these guys get one less day in Cancun when the season is over as a super-secret punishment from the NFL.
What's Next
The good news? The Buffalo Bills were upset by the New England Patriots, dropping them to 4-3. That means even with the loss to the Eagles, Miami will still enter its matchup with the Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium next weekend atop the AFC East.Things could be worse. Things could be better. Ladies and gentlemen, we're in the middle of a Miami Dolphins season!
