With the NFC East crown already in their grasp for a second straight year, the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t just win on Saturday - they made sure Washington felt it. And while the final score told one story, the late-game decision to go for two added a little extra heat to a rivalry that was already simmering.
Up 27-10 with just over four minutes remaining in regulation, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni made a move that raised plenty of eyebrows: he kept the offense on the field and went for two. Saquon Barkley punched it in, pushing the lead to 29-10.
And just like that, tempers boiled over. A post-play scuffle broke out, and three players were ejected, including Eagles rookie lineman Tyler Steen.
It was the kind of moment you expect from a division rivalry - raw, emotional, and just a little chaotic. But was it personal? Not according to Sirianni.
“We did the math,” Sirianni said postgame. “We wanted to make sure we were up 19.
That way, they could only tie us with a field goal, two touchdowns, and a pair of two-point conversions. We were already up three scores - we just wanted to lock it in.”
In other words, Sirianni wasn’t trying to run up the score - he was playing the numbers. From a game management perspective, the math checks out.
A 17-point lead is still technically a three-possession game. A 19-point cushion?
That’s a much taller mountain to climb, especially with the clock working against you.
Still, Washington didn’t seem too thrilled with the decision. Head coach Dan Quinn didn’t mince words when asked about it.
“If that’s how they want to get down, all good,” Quinn said. “We play them again in two weeks.”
That rematch is set for Week 18, but the stakes may look a lot different. With the Eagles locked into the playoffs, there’s a good chance we’ll see backups on the field.
That said, don’t expect the emotions to cool off entirely. This is NFC East football - pride doesn’t take a week off.
As for the skirmish that followed the two-point conversion, Sirianni chalked it up to the intensity that comes with playing a division rival.
“It’s always back and forth with a division game,” he said. “That’s a team we played in the NFC Championship game last year.
I know how badly they wanted to beat us. I know how badly we wanted to beat them.
We always have to keep our cool in moments like that. But I think that’s NFC East football.
It’s back and forth. They’ve got tough guys; we’ve got tough guys.”
And that’s really the core of it. This wasn’t about disrespect - it was about strategy, rivalry, and the kind of edge that defines late-season football.
The Eagles made a calculated decision, and it worked. The Commanders took it personally, and now they’ve circled the calendar for another shot.
Week 18 might not carry playoff implications, but make no mistake - there’s still something on the line.