“Let’s be frank – that victory wasn’t earned through effort. It was a gift.” Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders, the biggest controversy of the night wasn’t on the football field, but stemmed from Troy Aikman.
The Philadelphia Eagles secured their second consecutive NFC East title on December 20, 2025, with a 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
It was a game that marked a historic achievement for the Eagles—the first back-to-back division crowns in the NFC East since their own streak from 2001 to 2004—and ended a 21-season drought without a repeat champion in the division.
Yet, amid the celebrations in Philadelphia, the win felt underwhelming to many observers, overshadowed by the Commanders’ mounting injuries and a performance that saw the reigning Super Bowl champions trailing at halftime against a team limping to a 4-11 record.
The game began inauspiciously for the Eagles. On the opening kickoff, returner Will Shipley fumbled after a hit from Washington’s Mike Sainristil, giving the Commanders prime field position at the Philadelphia 26-yard line. Washington capitalized quickly with a field goal, jumping to an early 3-0 lead.
The Eagles responded with a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith, but the first half was riddled with mistakes: missed field goals by Jake Elliott, penalties on signature plays like the tush push, and an inability to convert third downs efficiently.
By halftime, the Commanders held a surprising 10-7 advantage, thanks in part to their defense frustrating Hurts and star running back Saquon Barkley early on.
Washington’s effort in the opening half was commendable, especially considering their dire circumstances. Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year who had propelled them to the NFC Championship Game the previous season, was shut down for the year due to lingering injuries.
In his place, veteran backup Marcus Mariota started, providing stability and keeping the game competitive. The Commanders’ defense forced punts and limited big plays, while their special teams set the tone with the early fumble recovery.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the third quarter when Mariota suffered a hand injury after being stepped on during a play. He exited briefly for evaluation, and in his absence, the Eagles capitalized with a touchdown pass from Hurts to tight end Dallas Goedert, taking a 14-10 lead.
Mariota returned to the sideline but did not re-enter the game, thrusting third-string quarterback Josh Johnson into the spotlight. Johnson, a journeyman with experience across multiple teams, struggled against Philadelphia’s stout defense, throwing a costly interception that set up another Eagles score.
From there, the Eagles pulled away. Barkley, who had been contained early with just 40 yards on nine carries in the first half, exploded for 92 yards in the second, finishing with 132 rushing yards and a 12-yard touchdown run.
A late 22-yard touchdown scamper by Tank Bigsby and a successful two-point conversion pushed the lead to 29-10. Washington added a late touchdown run by Chris Rodriguez Jr. and a two-point conversion, but it was too little, too late.
The game ended in chaos, with a fourth-quarter scuffle leading to ejections of Eagles guard Tyler Steen and Commanders players Quan Martin and Javon Kinlaw.
While the Eagles celebrated clinching the division—improving to 10-5 and securing at least one home playoff game—the manner of the victory drew scrutiny. Philadelphia dominated the second half, outscoring Washington 22-8 after halftime, but much of that dominance came after Mariota’s injury derailed the Commanders’ offense.
Washington’s season had already been plagued by setbacks, dropping nine of their last ten games after a promising start the previous year.
Facing a depleted opponent missing their franchise quarterback and then losing their backup mid-game, the Eagles’ win felt less like a hard-fought triumph and more like an opportunistic escape.
This is where Troy Aikman’s commentary ignited the postgame firestorm. Broadcasting the game on FOX alongside play-by-play announcer Joe Davis and sideline reporter Pam Oliver, the Hall of Fame quarterback and former Cowboys legend did not hold back in his assessment during the fourth quarter.
As the Eagles extended their lead following Johnson’s struggles, Aikman remarked bluntly: “Let’s be frank – that victory wasn’t earned through effort.
It was a gift.” He pointed to the Commanders’ quarterback carousel and the Eagles’ sloppy first half, suggesting that Philadelphia had been handed the win on a silver platter rather than seizing it through superior play throughout.
Aikman’s words quickly went viral on social media, sparking heated debates among fans. Eagles supporters accused him of bias, referencing his Cowboys roots and arguing that wins are wins in the NFL, especially on the road in division play.
Critics, however, agreed with Aikman, noting the Eagles’ inconsistencies: multiple missed field goals, fumbles, and penalties that could have cost them against a healthier opponent.
Even neutral observers questioned whether this performance bode well for Philadelphia’s playoff aspirations, as they prepare for tougher tests like an upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Nick Sirianni, the Eagles’ head coach, defended his team’s resilience in the postgame press conference, highlighting the second-half adjustments and Barkley’s breakout. “We found a way to win, and that’s what champions do,” Sirianni said. Hurts echoed similar sentiments, praising the offensive line and receivers for stepping up when needed.
On the Commanders’ side, coach Dan Quinn expressed frustration over the injuries but commended his team’s fight, particularly in the first half.
The controversy extended beyond Aikman’s quote. Sirianni’s decision to go for two points late in the game—successfully converting to push the lead to 19—directly contributed to the ensuing brawl, drawing criticism for running up the score against a battered foe.
Some saw it as aggressive gamesmanship; others viewed it as unnecessary provocation.
As the dust settles, the Eagles head into the final weeks with momentum and a division title in hand, but questions linger about their consistency.
Barkley’s strong finish and Hurts’ efficient passing (22-of-30 for 185 yards and two touchdowns) offer positives, as does a defense that stifled Washington after the quarterback switch.
Yet, Aikman’s candid assessment resonates because it captures a broader narrative: in a season where the Eagles have shown flashes of brilliance interspersed with lapses, this win felt gifted by circumstance rather than forged through unrelenting dominance.
For the Commanders, the loss encapsulates a disappointing campaign, with injuries derailing what was once a rising team. As both squads look ahead—Philadelphia to the playoffs, Washington to the offseason and the draft—the game serves as a reminder of the NFL’s brutality.
Victories matter, but how they are achieved often defines the conversation. In this case, Troy Aikman’s frank words ensured the debate would rage long after the final whistle.
