Eli Manning, Chad Johnson Disagree on Key Holding Call During Bengals-Jaguars ‘MNF’ Game

The former NFL stars had different takes on a penalty assessed during overtime in Monday’s game.

Former Bengals star Chad Johnson joined ESPN’s ManningCast to watch his former team defeat the Jaguars, 34-31, on Monday Night Football.

But before Cincinnati pulled off the win against Jacksonville, the Bengals needed a critical defensive stop in overtime, and they benefited mightily from a holding penalty.

On third-and-seven from the Bengals’ 45, Jaguars backup quarterback C.J. Beathard scrambled to his right and launched a deep ball down the right sideline to Calvin Ridley. Despite the Beathard’s completed pass to Ridley, officials called holding on Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison, negating a huge gain by Ridley and sending Jacksonville back 10 yards on its next play.

However, Johnson and Eli Manning held different opinions on the officials’ assessment. While Eli felt like the holding penalty was a “flop,” Johnson said Harrison’s infraction was clear as day.

“Eli [Manning], that’s a hold,” Johnson said.

"That's a flop!" - Eli Manning

"Eli, that's a hold!" - Chad Ochocinco #MNF #ManningCast pic.twitter.com/xzXUNUdVkb

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 5, 2023

Turns out, Johnson was right. Following the penalty, the Jaguars’ drive stalled. Bengals backup Jake Browning then orchestrated a 12-play, 42-yard drive to set up Evan McPherson’s 48-yard winning field goal. Johnson played 10 seasons with the Bengals, and after the team’s win without injured star quarterback Joe Burrow, he couldn’t have been happier for his former team.