With the Dallas Cowboys officially eliminated from playoff contention, Cowboys Nation is hoping for two outcomes this postseason: that the Eagles and Commanders get bounced early or simply don't win the whole damn thing.
The Eagles have already clinched a playoff berth, but their hopes of claiming the No. 1 seed took a significant hint with last week's loss against Washington. They can, however, clinch the NFC East with either a win or tie against the Cowboys or a Commanders loss or tie versus the Falcons.
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Watching Philadelphia steamroll their way to a 12-3 record has been difficult as the Cowboys hover around .500 with a decimated roster. With Detroit missing close to 10 starters on defense, the Eagles are widely considered the most complete team in the conference.
Cowboys fans have waited in earnest for the other shoe to drop, but Philly has admirably avoided the supernatural funk that laid waste to their 10-1 start last year.
Or have they? Ever prone to let his emotions get the best of him, head coach Nick Sirianni was involved in an altercation with Commanders tight end and former Eagle Zach Ertz after Washington's last-second victory this past Sunday.
Cowboys fans laugh as Nick Sirianni tries to soil Eagles' remarkable season
Sirianni reportedly took exception to something Ertz said and got in Ertz's face. Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro intervened and deescalated the situation before it evolved into something much worse.
Report: Eagles security chief Big Dom DiSandro had to separate Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and Commanders tight end Zach Ertz during a postgame altercation on Sunday. https://t.co/IPKpteE8AC
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 26, 2024
Sirianni and Ertz have both made light of the altercation, but it seems Sirianni is back trying to sabotage his team's magic carpet ride.
Assuming Jalen Hurts returns from his concussion before the playoffs, everyone knows Sirianni is the proverbial elephant in the room regarding the Eagles. Most teams have someone who rides strictly on vibes and toes the line of taking it too far. Everyone in the locker room is subtly worried about them bursting a gasket at the wrong time.
For the Eagles, that is their head coach. Sure, star receiver A.J. Brown has an outspoken nature, especially when the passing game struggles. But he delivers on the field time and time again. He is more than worth the occasional cryptic quote to the media.
Sirianni, though, doesn't have the same leash. He has proven time and time again that he can't keep his emotions in check. Sometimes that bleeds into his coaching. Dom "Big Dom" DiSandro would not be needed if Sirianni could simply control his emotions. DiSandro is essentially a babysitter.
The Eagles are so talented that they may ultimately overcome Sirianni's shenanigans. Regardless, it is beyond comprehension that Sirianni time and time again does things, usually of the non-football variety, that make you have second thoughts about a team that is otherwise flawless.