Commanders Repeatedly Committed Penalties Leading to Eagles Touchdown

The Washington Commanders repeatedly dove offsides in a desperate attempt to stop the Philadelphia Eagles’ infamous tush push, leading to a chaotic and memorable sequence during the game.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ tush push, also known as the Brotherly Shove, has evolved into one of the most challenging plays in football to defend against.

However, the Washington Commanders unleashed everything they had against the Eagles in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game, resulting in one of the most bizarre sequences in football history.

With the Eagles leading 34-23 in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia executed a 22-yard run by Saquon Barkley, bringing them down to the Washington one-yard line.

Facing 1st and goal, Kellen Moore called for the Brotherly Shove. While Washington managed to stop the play for no gain, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen was penalized for encroachment, inching the football closer to the end zone.

On the subsequent 1st-and-goal attempt from the one-yard line, Jalen Hurts was again halted for no gain.

At this point, the events took a truly bizarre turn.

On second down, Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu attempted to time the snap, launching himself over the offensive line and colliding with the Eagles’ quarterback. However, the Eagles utilized a long count, resulting in Luvu being flagged for encroachment:

This penalty moved the football a few inches closer to the end zone, presenting the Eagles with another 2nd and goal from inside the one-yard line. Once again, Luvu was flagged for encroachment as he attempted to time the snap but failed:

After this second high-flying encroachment from Luvu, Mike Pereira in the FOX Sports booth speculated that the officials could award a touchdown to the Eagles due to the continued penalties.

When Allen was flagged for encroachment for the third time in a row, the warning from officials became relevant:

For those curious, this portion of the rulebook falls under Section 2, Article 1, Subpart 5, which states: “A touchdown is scored when … the Referee awards a touchdown to a team that has been denied one by a palpably unfair act.”

Ultimately, after all the commotion, Hurts reached the end zone:

The NFL even compiled the entire sequence, which lasts nearly four minutes. Yes, a highlight reel of encroachment penalties. Football truly is wonderful:

Additionally, experiencing that entire sequence in play-by-play form is equally special:

What a sport.