Los Angeles Rams defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon was flagged for unnecessary roughness during the first half of Sunday’s NFL playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He laid a big hit on DeVonta Smith that knocked the ball loose and prevented a big gain on an easy catch.
However, even if the ensuing flag was correct by the rules, it begs the question of what else Witherspoon was supposed to do in that situation.
Jalen Hurts dropped back to pass on 1st-and-10 from his own 17-yard-line. Smith ran a route over the middle of the field. The former threw to the latter even though a pair of Rams defenders were closing in. It was right on the money.
Smith would have made the catch for a gain of about 40 yards if not for Witherspoon. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound 29-year-old came flying in from the left side of the field to knock the ball free with an absolute slobberknocker. Although the pass fell incomplete, Philadelphia benefitted from a 15-yard penalty.
Eagles fans were thrilled with the call. Witherspoon could not believe it.
Witherspoon out here head hunting. DeVonta Smith takes a hard hit pic.twitter.com/EgC1SHqxi2
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 19, 2025
By rule, NFL officials made the correct call. The defensive back made contact to the head/neck area. Smith was a defenseless receiver. A flag was thrown.
With that being said, Ahkello Witherspoon led with his shoulder— not the crown of his helmet. He first made contact with the ball and knocked it loose before any kind of contact with the head or neck area. Smith, due to the naturally occurring force of gravity, fell into the hit. Witherspoon did not launch up into him.
What else was Ahkello Witherspoon supposed to do?! Let DeVonta Smith make the catch?!
This entire discourse goes way above my pay grade, but most NFL fans can agree that this kind of bang-bang play is an issue that needs to be addressed. The league needs to reevaluate its rulebook to allow defenders to do their job while still protecting the players. There has to be an opportunity to play football!