Sirianni defends late two-point try as Eagles top Commanders; brawl leads to ejections

In a late-game decision that drew sharp scrutiny, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni defended his choice to go for two points against the Washington Commanders with about 4:30 remaining, a call that helped put Philadelphia up by 19 points in a 29-18 win. The attempt preceded a brief on-field melee that led to ejections for Commanders defenders Javon Kinlaw and Quan Martin, and Eagles offensive lineman Tyler Steen. The result kept the teams on edge in a rivalry that carries postseason history and high-stakes play into their next meeting.

Sirianni framed the call as a calculation rooted in math and the realities of a divisional matchup. 'We wanted to make sure we went up that way, just in case. That was what our math told us in that particular case,' he said after the game. 'It’s a division game. It’s always back-and-forth. … That’s the 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’ve always got to keep our cool in moments like that. But that’s NFC East football. … They’ve got tough guys. We’ve got tough guys.'

The exchange came as the game neared its end in Landover, Maryland, with the Eagles holding a comfortable margin that clubs in the NFC East often treat as a moment for decisive plays rather than conservative risk. The two-point try, executed by Barkley on the carry, extended the difference to 19 points and satisfied Sirianni’s math in that particular moment. Philadelphia would close out the win to cap a tense, edge-of-seat finish that nevertheless leaned in favor of the visitors.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn offered a measured reaction, signaling that the teams would cross paths again soon. 'If that’s how they want to get down, all good. We’ll play them again in two weeks,' Quinn said, alluding to the regular-season rematch that loomed on the schedule and the broader rivalry that has intensified in recent seasons. The tone suggested no new acrimony beyond what the NFC East has long produced when two teams know each other well and players are not shy about competitive fire on the field.

Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin offered a nod to the decision being understandable given the context, while also acknowledging the inherent friction in a rivalry that has produced many memorable moments. 'Eagles vs. Commanders, man. That’s how it goes. There’s a lot of history, obviously. They were beating us. They’re not going to throw in the towel. They’re not going to take it easy on us. They were going for 2 to bury us. As a team, it’s not like you’re going to tell them, ‘Don’t go for 2.’ We have to stop them,' McLaurin said. 'I don’t really take any bad blood from what they did, but you don’t want to see the game get out of hand and guys possibly getting hurt. It comes with this rivalry between us and them. I don’t think that will ever change, to be honest.' The back-and-forth nature of the series remains a talking point for players and observers alike as the teams prepare for their next meeting.

The late sequence sparked a melee that dominated the narrative from the final minutes to the postgame discussions. Kinlaw, Martin, and Steen were among those ejected as officials sorted through penalties and the players’ reactions. The confrontation underscored the emotional intensity that often accompanies divisional games where both sides know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and where every play can carry extra weight.

Saturday’s result kept the Eagles in the thick of the NFC East race and added another chapter to a rivalry defined by competitive urgency and frequent clashes. The Associated Press contributed to this report.