Former NFL Ref Terry McAulay Breaks Down 3 Controversial Calls That Favored Bears in Week 13 Win Over Eagles
Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 15 to 24 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season, the conversation didn’t end at the final whistle. Instead, it shifted toward the referees and whether key officiating decisions directly influenced the outcome of the game.
While some fans took a more neutral view, legendary former NFL referee Terry McAulay stepped in with a pointed and detailed analysis, highlighting three officiating decisions that, in his expert opinion, clearly favored the Bears and helped shift the game in their direction.
McAulay, a three-time Super Bowl head referee and current NBC rules analyst, didn’t hold back, saying that at least one missed call was "clear-cut" and "impacted the outcome of the game."
Surprising this wasn’t called DPI on the Bears…Terry McAulay wanted it calledpic.twitter.com/7IXQBVOfik
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 28, 2025
1. Missed Defensive Pass Interference on DeVonta Smith
In the fourth quarter, with the Eagles mounting a comeback, linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga of the Bears made contact with Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith well before the ball arrived, wrapping him up and preventing a clean play on the ball. To the dismay of fans and analysts alike, no defensive pass interference (DPI) was called.
Terry McAulay reacted strongly, stating
"This was a clear foul. The defender arrived early and made physical contact before the ball was catchable. That’s textbook DPI."
The non-call forced the Eagles to punt, and the Bears capitalized by scoring to extend their lead to 24 to 9, a pivotal swing in momentum.
2. Controversial Offensive Pass Interference on A.J. Brown
Late in the second quarter, with the game still close, Jalen Hurts completed a 12-yard pass to A.J. Brown, only to see it wiped out by an Offensive Pass Interference (OPI) penalty on Brown. The call pushed the Eagles into a third-and-19 situation, forcing them to punt after a short gain and eventually settle for only a field goal in the half.
Eagles fans lit up social media calling the OPI call "soft as baby poo" and "a ridiculous ticky-tack flag."
McAulay sided with the critics, explaining
"There wasn’t enough there. This kind of hand-fighting happens on nearly every snap. To call OPI here is an overreach. It’s an example of over-officiating."
3. No OPI Call on Bears Receivers Moments Earlier
What stung fans even more was a nearly identical play by Bears receivers on a previous drive with similar contact and blocking actions that went completely unpenalized.
Eagles fans were quick to point out the inconsistency. One fan wrote
"They throw the flag on Brown but not on the Bears? Ridiculous."
McAulay didn’t hesitate to criticize the inconsistency
"If you're going to call that on A.J. Brown, you have to call it the same way on the other side. Otherwise, it’s not officiating, it’s bias."
Conclusion: Eagles Lost More Than Just a Game
While the Eagles had their fair share of missed opportunities, McAulay’s breakdown suggests that inconsistent officiating played a substantial role in derailing their momentum. These calls or lack thereof not only halted key drives but also helped the Bears maintain their offensive rhythm and build a lead they never relinquished.
The big question now is whether the NFL is doing enough to ensure officiating fairness and accountability.
With a voice as respected as Terry McAulay's speaking out, Week 13 may go down not just as a loss for Philadelphia, but as a moment when the stripes on the field cast a longer shadow than expected.
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