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NFL SVP Of Officiating Dean Blandino Explains Ryan Mathews' Fumble

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The ball just has to touch any player who is out of bounds and the ball is considered out of play.

Ryan Mathews' fumble was the key play in the Eagles' 24-23 loss to the Lions, but one television angle clearly showed the ball touching Jason Kelce's leg while the Eagles center was out of bounds -- meaning the Eagles should have kept the ball and have been able to punt.

Related: Knee Jerk Reactions: Eagles Let One Slip Away Vs. Lions

After review, the referees -- Pete Morelli and his crew -- upheld their call, saying the Lions recovered the ball in bounds. NFL senior vice president of officiating Dean Blandino explained the decision on Twitter, saying "we don't have any definitive angle to show whether or not [Kelce] is actually touching the football."

However, again, Blandino discussed two of the video angles here. A third angle, the most definitive one, was not discussed.

The Eagles were penalized 14 times for 111 yards. The Lions were penalized just twice for 18 yards.

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