Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth could not contain their frustration at the decision by Eagles coach Doug Pederson to replace Jalen Hurts in place of Nate Sudfeld.
Pederson’s quarterback move harnessed any chance the Eagles would have to regroup against Washington in the 20-14 defeat, handing NFC East over to their rival.
“Al, I couldn’t have done that. I couldn’t have done what Philadelphia did. ”Collinsworth said of the NBC booth. “I just couldn’t have done that. You have men out there who are fighting your insides trying to win the game. And I’m not saying, I’m not blaming anyone, I personally couldn’t have done what they did ”.
The Giants players agreed with several expressing their anger on Twitter, as they watched their chances at NFC East disappear helplessly after defeating the Cowboys earlier on Sunday.
The Philadelphia v Washington game was postponed to Sunday night as it was the only game guaranteed to determine a playoff spot. The controversy called Pederson gave the high stakes match a pre-season feel.
Hurts, the explosive rookie, completed just 7 of 20 passes in three quarters, but ran for two touchdowns. Sudfeld hasn’t played since 2018 and tried 20 passes in his four-year career before Sunday night.
Sudfeld launched an interception on his first possession and then failed to deal with a low snap on the next, which Chase Young promptly recovered for Washington.
“[If] they are exploding, yes. And we mentioned yesterday, Doug said he wanted to put Sudfeld in the game. But in this circumstance? Come, ”said Michaels.
Michaels added later, “[Hurts] the numbers were not so good, but some hurried touchdowns and, clearly, a guy who is a big part of the conversation for the future. And the giants have to be beside themselves, and who can blame them? ”
In the final direction of the game, Michaels joked that he would bring back a call from “41 years ago” referring to his famous “Do you believe in miracles?” called the 1980 Olympics.
This ending was predictable, however.