Eagles coach defends controversial decision to go for two points late vs Commanders

Philadelphia Eagles caput manager Nick Sirianni defended going for 2 points precocious against the Washington Commanders with astir 4:30 near successful Saturday’s game.

Eagles moving backmost Saquon Barkley ran the shot successful for the conversion to enactment Philadelphia up 19 points. Philadelphia went connected to triumph 29-18. The determination sparked a immense brawl that resulted successful Commanders defenders Javon Kinlaw and Quan Martin, and Eagles violative lineman Tyler Steen being ejected from the game.

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Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) argues with Philadelphia Eagles moving backmost Saquon Barkley (26) aft a combat successful the 4th fourth astatine Northwest Stadium connected Dec. 20, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

Sirianni said helium wasn’t moving up the people – the determination was much astir being comfy being up 19 points alternatively of 18.

"We wanted to marque definite we went up that way, conscionable successful case. That was what our mathematics told america successful that peculiar case," Sirianni said. "It’s a part game. It’s ever back-and-forth. … That’s the squad we played successful the NFC title crippled past year. I cognize however severely they wanted to bushed us.

"I cognize however severely we wanted to bushed them. We’ve ever got to support our chill successful moments similar that. But that’s NFC East football. … They’ve got pugnacious guys. We’ve got pugnacious guys."

Philadelphia Eagles caput manager Nick Sirianni talks to the media during a quality league pursuing an NFL shot crippled against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, successful Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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Commanders caput manager Dan Quinn wasn’t pleased and noted the 2 teams conscionable again Jan. 4.

"If that’s however they privation to get down, each good," Quinn said. "We’ll play them again successful 2 weeks."

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin said helium understood wherefore Sirianni decided to spell for two.

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"Eagles vs. Commanders, man. That’s however it goes. ... There’s a batch of history, obviously. They were beating us. They’re not going to propulsion successful the towel. They’re not going to instrumentality it casual connected us. They were going for 2 to hide us. As a team, it’s not similar you’re going to archer them, ‘Don’t spell for 2.’ We person to halt them," McLaurin said. "I don’t truly instrumentality immoderate atrocious humor from what they did, but you don’t privation to spot the crippled get retired of manus and guys perchance getting hurt. It comes with this rivalry betwixt america and them. I don’t deliberation that volition ever change, to beryllium honest."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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