Even Doug Pederson’s own players got angry with the Eagles head coach because they waved the white flag in the regular season finale on Sunday night.
Two Philadelphia defenders had to be prevented from facing Pederson after putting quarterback Nate Sudfeld in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Washington football team, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, a move that was immediately reprimanded. by former players, analysts and fans who claimed that the Eagles intentionally threw the game to secure the sixth pick instead of the ninth in the NFL draft.
Sudfeld relieved Jalen Hurts, the rookie rookie, with the Eagles down by three points, threw an interception on his second pass, lost a battle in the next possession and didn’t come close to leading his team to a comeback in loss by 20-14.
Pederson defended his decision, saying he wants to get Sudfeld, a career reserve, playing time for the first time in two years.
“We struggled a little to move the ball,” Pederson told reporters Monday. “Defensively, they kept us in the game with a few dishes late. And my plan was to bring Nate into play. “
Pederson suggested last week that Sudfeld could see playing time, but many were amazed that he would make a change with his team at an impressive distance.
While Hurts was 7 out of 20 with a single interception, he rushed for two touchdowns and clearly gave Philadelphia, which also had more starters for the entire game, the best chance to eliminate rival Washington from the playoffs.
After they were taken out of the game, NBC cameras confronted Hurts, who seemed to be saying “It’s not fair.” Hurts later said: “As a competitor, I play to win. You have to trust [Pederson’s plan]. “
Perhaps no team was more upset with Pederson than the Giants, who, thanks to their 6-10 record, relied on the Eagles to win because they would have sent them into the playoffs against Washington.
“It’s disgusting,” receiver Darius Slayton posted on Twitter shortly after Sudfeld entered the game.