The big story out of the Philadelphia Eagles' 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 16 was not the fact that Philly won the NFC East division title for the second straight season. No, it's all about the fight in the fourth quarter.
After Saquon Barkley scored on a two-point conversion to give the Eagles a 29-10 lead, the Commanders and the Birds got into a fight that resulted in starting right guard Tyler Steen and two Washington players being ejected from the game. Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata recalled the moment it began and how a good block from undrafted rookie wide receiver Darius Cooper started it all.
"Guy's (Darius Cooper) trying to finish his block on him on that two-point conversion, and I guess whoever he was blocking didn't like that Darius was trying to do his job," Mailata said via SportsRadio 94 WIP. "The guys didn't like how he got blocked so a little push and shove there at the end of the whistle, and then Darius got away with the last shot, and the somebody grabbed Darius by the neck, a little horse collar. That's when Fred (Johnson) jumped in, and Fred said, 'Not on my watch.' And then for Fred, it was (Tyler) Steen. I love that man."
Eagles backed each other up in the fight
Mailata added that once he saw Steen was all by himself against seven Commanders players, helmetless, the Eagles' star lineman jumped in to help. The left tackle said that he just jumped on Steen to make sure he didn't take any shots to the head and to protect him.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has since reported that no players who were ejected from the game will face any suspension, which means Steen will be available to play against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. A fine for Steen is most likely coming his way, though the NFL has not yet determined it.
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Steen got very lucky that he didn't get suspended for the Bills game, and Mailata was there to protect him from getting hurt. While Eagles fans would prefer not to see their players get into fights during a game, especially so late in the season, it at least shows that each teammate has the other's back and will protect them no matter what happens.