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Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson was upset that his touchdown catch was overturned in the 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
Hockenson thought he had a decisive touchdown with 3:05 left in the game. The officials ruled it a touchdown on the field, but it was overturned on a replay. Minnesota settled for a field goal to cut the deficit to six points and failed to get the ball back.
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Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) dives to try to catch a pass in the end zone that was ruled incomplete during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The veteran tight end was adamant he caught the ball.
“There was nothing to topple it,” he said, via ESPN. “I mean, I was out there. I felt it, hands under the ball, caught it, and I don’t understand it. I basically don’t understand the catch rule at this point. … I don’t understand how New York can call in and just be like, ‘Yeah, it’s not a catch,’ when there was no evidence that it wasn’t. I mean, I had it. I think it’s ridiculous.”
All scores and turnovers are subject to review.
Mark Butterworth, the vice president of instant replay, maintained in an interview with a pool reporter that Hockenson lost control of the ball when he was on the ground.
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Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at US Bank Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025. (Brad Rempel/Imagn Images)
“The ruling on the field was a touchdown, so it’s the replay’s jurisdiction to stop the play. We used broadcast-enhanced shots to show that when he went to the ground — he needs control of the ball throughout the catch process — he lost control of the ball,” Butterworth said. “The ball hit the ground. Then he regained control of the ball. So that’s why we overthrew it to an incomplete pass.”
The touchdown and extra point would have made it a two-point game.
Hockenson finished with six catches for 43 yards.
The Vikings offense wasted some drives despite only losing by six points. Carson Wentz threw interceptions on back-to-back drives, one of which turned into a pick six by Jalyx Hunt.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell walks the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
Minnesota fell to 3-3 with the loss.
