Even Doug Pederson’s own players were furious with the Eagles head coach for waving Sunday night’s final season with the white flag.
Two Philadelphia defenders had to be restrained to confront Pederson after striking out Nate Sudfeld in the third string in the fourth quarter of the loss against the Washington Football Team, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, a move immediately punished by former players . analysts and fans who claim the Eagles deliberately threw the game away to secure the sixth pick instead of the ninth in the NFL draft.
Sudfeld relieved Jalen Hurts, the rookie’s starter, with three points, with an interception on his second pass, lost a whisper in the next possession, and was nowhere near his team in the 20-14 defeat not return.
Pederson defended his decision, saying he wanted to get Sudfeld, a career support, for the first time in two years.
“We just struggled a bit to move the ball,” Pederson told reporters Monday. ‘Defensively, they kept us late in the game with some takeaways. And my plan was to get Nate in the game. ”
Pederson hinted last week that Sudfeld could see playing time, but many were surprised he would make a change with his team within striking distance.
While Hurts with one interception was 7 of 20, he started racing twice and Philadelphia, who also gave the entire game multiple starts, clearly had the best chance of knocking his rival Washington out of the playoffs.
After the NBC cameras were removed from the game, they looked at Hurts, who apparently said, “This is not right.” Hurts then said, ‘As a contestant, I play to win. You have to trust [Pederson’s plan]. ”
Perhaps no team was more upset about Pederson than the Giants, who relied on the Eagles to win because of their 6-10 record because it would have sent them to the playoffs over Washington.
“It’s sick,” receiver Darius Slayton tweeted shortly after Sudfeld entered the game.