Sirianni: 'We played like crap' in Eagles' 1st loss of the season
The Philadelphia Eagles' eight-game win streak ended Monday at the hands of the division rival Washington Commanders in a 32-21 final.
Following their first loss of the season, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni lamented costly mistakes as the major factor in his team's defeat rather than questionable calls from the officiating crew.
"I think when you play the way we did tonight, when you play the way we did on all three phases - offense, defense, special teams - coaching, right, when you play like that, it does seem like everything is going against you."
"You create your own luck, and we played like crap," he added. "We didn't do a good enough job. It feels like things go against you. Those plays, those scenarios that happen when you play like that get magnified, whether it was the right call or wrong call."
The Eagles had a couple of close calls not go their way. Tight end Dallas Goedert fumbled the ball after the Commanders got away with an uncalled facemask penalty. On the final possession of the night, Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke gave himself up and was subsequently hit by defender Brandon Graham, resulting in a controversial roughing the passer penalty that helped extend the drive.
Sirianni refused to acknowledge that any call or missed penalties were the reason for Philly's first blemish of the 2022-23 campaign. Instead, he pointed to the team's four turnovers and the disparity in time of possession as critical factors in the outcome of Monday's matchup.
Washington managed to score 16 unanswered points beginning in the second quarter, with the Eagles finally finding the end zone again in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia struggled to build off its two touchdowns in the opening frame.
The Eagles' bid for a 17-0 season came to an end. Quarterback Jalen Hurts says he's ready to move forward to the team's next challenge.
"You obviously want to win all of the games we play in," he said. "Tonight wasn't our night. The message for me is control the things that you can."
The Eagles (8-1) face a short week of preparation ahead of their matchup Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts (4-5-1).