Tempers flared during the Washington Commanders' defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles. And this all centered on a two-point conversion that left players and coaches furious, given the result was already a foregone conclusion.
The Eagles have every right to do whatever they want. There are unwritten rules in the NFL, but not when it comes to fierce division rivalries. Players to offense to it, with safety Quan Martin and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw both being ejected for their roles in a chaotic brawl. Head coach Dan Quinn was playing peacemaker, but it's clear this rubbed him the wrong way, too.
Quinn was trying hard to contain himself during his postgame media appearance. He couldn't speak for the Eagles, of course, but it's evident that the coach felt disrespected.
Dan Quinn will demand retribution in Week 18 after Commanders were disrespected
And he wants his players to gain retribution when the Commanders conclude their regular-season engagements at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 18.
"I can only answer from my side, what I would do. That's how they want to get down? All good. We play them again in two weeks."Dan Quinn
That's the resolve fans have expected from Quinn throughout his tenure. But in truth, he's writing checks that his players can't cash.
They are undisciplined and unserious. They don't have the quality needed to perform at the level Quinn expects. While the players are still fully bought into his coaching methods, there is too much working against them right now. And the same problems keep cropping up constantly, which is the biggest frustration of all.
The Eagles asserted their dominance, and the Commanders couldn't keep up. They were frustrated and felt slighted. This all boiled over into an unsavory incident that could result in Martin and Kinlaw being suspended for their Christmas Day clash with the Dallas Cowboys. Time will tell on that, but they shouldn't be lacking motivation when everyone goes their separate ways.
Philadelphia could have gotten away without a two-point conversion. Veteran kicker Jake Moody also struggled throughout the game, which was part of the equation overlooked entirely. The Commanders took it personally, but as was the case when the same happened against the Detroit Lions, the fight came too late to salvage anything from the contest.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has the luxury of potentially sitting some influential players in Week 18. Their playoff spot is secure. Unless the Eagles are challenging for the NFC's No. 1 seed, which seems unlikely, resting some of their top stars to ensure they'll be fresh for the wild-card round is a definite possibility.
That will make things easier for the Commanders. But nothing is guaranteed, and Quinn's veiled swipe could still come back to haunt him if his players don't deliver.