The Philadelphia Eagles almost let a late touchdown and penalty derail their victory over the Washington Commanders. In the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts connected with wide receiver A.J. Brown for a 28-yard touchdown, giving the Eagles a 31-24 lead. However, Brown’s taunting penalty after the touchdown resulted in Washington receiving a shorter field and a chance to tie the game. In the final seconds, the Commanders scored a game-tying touchdown, sending the game to overtime. Ultimately, the Eagles prevailed with a 34-31 overtime victory thanks to Jake Elliott’s 54-yard field goal.
The question arises: Should the Eagles have opted to run out more of the clock instead of going for a quick touchdown? Eagles coach Nick Sirianni defended the decision, stating that the main goal is to score. He praised Hurts and Brown for making a great play and acknowledged that sometimes taking opportunities pays off, even if it leaves time on the clock for the opposing team.
Brown’s performance was exceptional, with nine catches for a season-high 175 yards and two touchdowns. However, his taunting penalty cast a shadow over his success. Sirianni mentioned that Brown was apologetic about the penalty, acknowledging the emotions of the game and the need to learn from such instances.
While running the ball to control the clock is a common strategy in late-game situations, the Eagles’ approach may have been influenced by the Washington Commanders’ formidable front seven. The Eagles struggled to generate a strong ground game, rushing for only 104 yards and scoring one touchdown. In the previous week’s victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they had amassed 201 rushing yards. Sirianni believed that playing it safe could have backfired and potentially prevented the Eagles from scoring at all.
The Eagles’ confidence in their wide receivers, including Brown and DeVonta Smith, allowed them to be more aggressive down the field. Smith contributed to the team’s success with seven catches for 78 yards, including a key 37-yard completion over the rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson called an aggressive play because he trusted his wide receivers to make plays against any defender.
In response to the question of whether the Eagles should have taken a different approach, Smith emphasized the importance of belief and trusting in their abilities. He mentioned that the coaching staff approached him and Brown, emphasizing their role in making a game-changing play. Ultimately, Brown delivered.
Sirianni expressed his stance, stating that he would never apologize for scoring too quickly. The Eagles’ offensive strategy revolves around taking advantage of opportunities and putting points on the board. While the penalty post-touchdown created a challenging situation, the Eagles managed to emerge victorious.
In the end, the Eagles’ decision to go for a quick touchdown instead of running out the clock paid off, albeit with some tense moments. The team’s trust in their quarterback and wide receivers allowed them to secure a crucial victory in a divisional battle. Moving forward, they will learn from the penalty incident and continue to refine their approach while maintaining their aggressive mindset on offense.
