ST.Eagles Legend Jason Kelce Defends Philadelphia After Raiders’ “Ref-Bribery” Claims — Dominant Win Leaves No Room for Excuses

The Philadelphia Eagles’ overwhelming win over the Las Vegas Raiders should have ended any debate the moment the clock hit zero. Instead, postgame remarks from the Raiders’ side sparked controversy, with insinuations circulating that officiating — even referee bribery — played a role in the lopsided result. That suggestion didn’t sit quietly in Philadelphia.

And it didn’t take long for a franchise icon to respond.

Jason Kelce, the embodiment of Eagles football for more than a decade, stepped forward to shut down the narrative — not with anger, but with clarity. In a game where Philadelphia dominated from start to finish, Kelce made it clear that there was nothing ambiguous about the outcome.

The Eagles controlled the line of scrimmage, dictated tempo, and imposed their will on both sides of the ball. The margin wasn’t narrow. The momentum never swung. This wasn’t a game decided by a flag — it was decided by physical dominance and execution.

Kelce didn’t dance around that reality.

“When you start talking about bribery after a game like that, you’re not breaking down film anymore,” Kelce said. “You’re ignoring what actually happened between the lines. That wasn’t about officials — that was about one team being prepared, connected, and flat-out better for sixty minutes.”

His words carried weight because they matched the tape. Philadelphia’s offensive line overwhelmed the Raiders’ front, creating clean pockets and consistent push in the run game. Defensively, the Eagles erased space, won early downs, and forced Las Vegas into predictable, desperate situations by the second quarter.

This wasn’t survival football. It was assertion.

Kelce emphasized that in blowout games, accountability matters even more. When the gap is that wide, explanations pointing elsewhere only distract from the work teams must do to close it.

“There are games where one or two calls matter,” Kelce added. “And then there are games where you get punched in the mouth every snap. Those are different conversations.”

The Eagles organization declined to issue a formal statement, but inside the locker room, Kelce’s response was seen as speaking for everyone — from veterans to rookies. Several former players and league analysts echoed the sentiment, noting that suggesting bribery after a decisive loss risks cheapening the sport itself.

Around the NFL, reaction followed quickly. While officiating will always be debated, many pointed out that blowouts leave no gray area. Philadelphia didn’t edge out the Raiders. They dismantled them.

For Jason Kelce, the moment wasn’t about defending referees or trading words with a losing opponent.

It was about respect for the game.
It was about owning results.
And it was about acknowledging when a team simply gets beat.

The Eagles moved on without noise, already focused on what comes next. But Kelce’s message lingered — a reminder that in Philadelphia, dominance speaks louder than accusations, and some losses don’t need explanations at all.

Steelers Have Exactly What The New York Giants Want In A New Coach: ‘That’s What They Are Looking For’

The Pittsburgh Steelers could look very different when the 2026 season comes around. The team still has hope for a successful end to the 2025 season, but the group would have to take down the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 in order to win the AFC North and clinch a spot in the postseason. If that does not happen, it is fair to assume that some significant changes could be made, especially if the group gets blown out like it did in the Wild Card Round of the postseason nearly a year ago. This is essentially a playoff game, and that is easy to see with the stakes surrounding the matchup.

The Steelers had a chance to clinch the division in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, but the franchise ruined that opportunity as the team was upset by Cleveland on the road. Week 18’s matchup with Baltimore will see one team’s season end, while the other will have the opportunity to compete in a relatively wide open AFC playoff bracket. There is a chance the Steelers could win, but a lot of fans are already focused on the offseason and what changes could be made. NFL insider Dianna Russini recently went on 

The Herdwhere she shared that Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith could be getting looked at by teams like the New York Giants.

“Arthur Smith is a name that I think is gonna make some rounds here once again, to get an opportunity,” Russini said. “Because Arthur has a really good, obviously, offensive mind, but he’s not scared of these players. He’s not scared to go up to the best guy on the team and say, ‘Yeah, that’s not good enough.’ And that’s what the New York Giants are looking for. Because accountability is the biggest flaw in that building.”

Russini name dropped the Giants specifically, but there is a chance that Smith could be getting looks from several teams that have or are expected to have an opening at head coach. The Giants have been putting a plan together for their next head coach for several weeks now since the organization fired Brian Daboll in the middle of the season, and it is fair to assume an experienced coach like Smith might be on that list.

Smith made a name for himself as the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020, and he was ultimately hired as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He spent three seasons as the head coach there, but he failed to make the postseason in each year. He kept the team somewhat competitive while never really having a legitimate starting quarterback, so his time as a head coach isn’t seen as a major failure. Atlanta went 7-10 in each season with Smith running the show.

Smith once again is working with less than most teams in Pittsburgh. His offensive numbers are not spectacular, but he has a young offensive line, an aging quarterback, and a less than average wide receiver room. Based off of Russini’s statement, other organization’s around the league are impressed with what he has been able to do in Pittsburgh.

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Also Could Be A Possibility For The Giants

In addition to Smith, Head Coach Mike Tomlin has also been brought up as a potential hire for the Giants. This would be much more complicated than New York going after Smith, and it would essentially take all three sides agreeing to the same deal. Tomlin and the Steelers would have to want to part ways, while the Giants would have to be willing to rework a contract with Tomlin while giving up significant draft capital to Pittsburgh.