Nick Sirianni stood by his decision to go for it on fourth-and-6 on the Eagles’ final offensive drive.
The Philadelphia Eagles nearly gave the Green Bay Packers a golden opportunity to tie their game Monday night.
Coach Nick Sirianni defended offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s play call and explained why going for the first down on fourth-and-6 was the decision on Philadelphia’s final offensive drive in its 10-7 win at Lambeau Field.
The Eagles (7-2) won their third straight and improved to 6-1 against NFC opposition this season. Their defense saved the day by limiting the high-octane Packers to 261 total yards and just the seven points — and forced Brandon McManus‘ missed 64-yard field goal on the final play of the game.
The Eagles will host the Detroit Lions (7-3) on Sunday Night Football.
If the Eagles had surrendered the game-tying field goal, Sirianni would have had some serious explaining to do.
Up three at the Green Bay 35-yard line with 33 seconds left, after the Packers exhausted all their timeouts, the Eagles offense could have taken an extra second off the clock and received five free yards on a delay of game then could have punted the ball deeper into Packers territory.
Even a touchback would have forced Green Bay to go an additional 15 yards from where they were with no timeouts and about 25 seconds.
Yet, Sirianni decided to go for the clincher, allowing quarterback Jalen Hurts to throw a deep shot toward A.J. Brown that fell incomplete.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in our offense,” Sirianni said. “It didn’t work out on this one. We just didn’t get it, but the decision, I stand put on that decision.
“We would’ve ended the game if we had got that, and I have a lot of faith in our guys to do that.”
The Packers took over and gained 18 yards on a Jordan Love completion to Bo Melton, which set up a long field-goal attempt — in cold, windy conditions. But McManus badly hooked the kick wide left.
Apparently, punting never entered Sirianni’s mind, even after calling a timeout to preserve the five yards. The debate in his head was whether the Eagles would go for the fourth-and-6 or if they could kick a 53-yard field goal.
Kicker Jake Elliott was 1 for 1 on Monday night, with a 39-yarder in the third quarter to his credit — going with the wind at his back. He is 3 for 4 on kicks of 50-plus yards this year, yet Sirianni shared why he didn’t want to tempt fate — especially since the Eagles have a late-game blocked field goal return for a touchdown in their Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
“I would’ve liked to be a little closer to kick a field goal,” Sirianni said. “It was into the wind on that one. I knew the kick would have had to be a little bit lower trajectory of a kick on that particular one.”
Despite how it could have gone sideways based on the questionable decision-making, Sirianni credited the players for the decision working out.
“As much as we talk about physical toughness, we talk a lot about mental toughness as well,” Sirianni said. “Being able to stay in the moment at all times. That is so critical in our sport, or sports in general, all that matters is the next play.”
As the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face off against his former team, the Los Angeles Rams, Cooper Kupp is keeping his focus squarely on the game at hand, dismissing any notion of getting distracted by the buzz surrounding a potential tribute video. Kupp, who spent several iconic seasons with the Rams, has firmly set his sights on one goal: victory for Seattle.
With his return to SoFi Stadium looming, rumors have swirled that the Rams may honor their Super Bowl MVP with a tribute video before the game. While some would be flattered by such recognition, Kupp is not one to rest on past accomplishments. His response to the tribute talk was straightforward and fierce:
This no-nonsense attitude is a testament to Kupp’s professional mindset and his commitment to the present. Despite his storied history with the Rams, where he earned multiple accolades, including the Super Bowl title and MVP honors, Kupp is focused on the here and now with the Seahawks. His journey has taken a dramatic turn after signing a lucrative contract with Seattle in March, and he’s determined to make his mark in a new chapter of his career.
Putting the Past Behind Him
While Kupp expressed nothing but gratitude for his time with the Rams, he made it clear that his attention is on the future. “I’ll always respect the Rams for what we accomplished together, but now I’m focused on Seattle. It’s about what’s next, not what’s behind me,” Kupp explained.
This shift in focus is crucial for the Seahawks, as they look to Kupp to help elevate their offense and push for playoff contention. After joining Seattle with high expectations, Kupp’s performance will be under intense scrutiny. But if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that he isn’t letting anything sidetrack him — not even a potential tribute video from his former team.
The Rivalry Takes Center Stage
For the Rams, the possibility of a tribute video is a way to honor a player who played a pivotal role in their championship run. However, as Kupp so clearly stated, this game is about more than sentiment. It’s a battle on the field, and the focus must be on the outcome. The Seahawks are hungry for a win, and Kupp is more determined than ever to deliver for his new team.
A Message to His Critics
Kupp’s comments also serve as a reminder of his unwavering commitment to his craft. While the NFL world may be captivated by the narrative of his return to Los Angeles, Kupp’s singular focus on winning speaks volumes about his competitive nature. He’s not here to bask in past glory; he’s here to lead the Seahawks to victory and prove that he’s still one of the league’s top wide receivers.
As the game approaches, all eyes will be on Kupp. The story of his return to the Rams will inevitably generate headlines, but Kupp is determined to make sure the headline at the end of the day reads: