The Philadelphia Eagles are two days removed from a brutal loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but much of the focus is still on a controversial decision on what would be the game’s final play.

Trailing by a field goal, 20-17, with seconds to go, quarterback Jalen Hurts threw an interception into double-coverage, essentially giving the game away. On Wednesday, head coach Nick Sirianni offered a curious response when asked to explain the team and QB’s thought process.

“At times, we’ve seen you can get a pass interference there,” Sirianni told reporters via the Eagles.

The Eagles had the ball at their own 44-yard line with two timeouts in their pocket. However, they opted for an all-or-nothing type of play that safety Julian Love sniffed out.

Replays show the pass didn’t have much chance of success, but Sirianni dug in, perhaps trying to protect his QB.

“We have some of the best receivers in the NFL outside, so there are times where you’re going to do that,” Sirianni said. “We felt like in that situation, we had an opportunity to. Hey, it didn’t work out that particular time.”

Julian Love with a tip-top toe tap. pic.twitter.com/3xKGDDTRlv

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 19, 2023

Replays show the pass didn’t have much chance of success, but Sirianni dug in, perhaps trying to protect his QB.
Hurts’ late-game interception was his second egregious pick of the fourth quarter. With eight minutes left and the Eagles leading 17-13, Hurts took an unnecessary shot toward the end zone on first-and-10 from midfield, which Love intercepted.

The turnover didn’t lead to points but shifted the moment. Two possessions later, the Seahawks took the lead for the first time, setting up the game-sealing takeaway.

Julian Love intercepts the deep ball!

📺: #PHIvsSEA on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/bbJNB6yPkz pic.twitter.com/bANR4cvL4l

— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2023

While many have called the team’s play calling and the decision-making of Hurts into question, the team’s defense has also underperformed. Before losing to the Seahawks, the Eagles shook up their defensive coaching staff responsibilities.

They moved the coordinator, Sean Desai, upstairs while handing playcalling duties to Matt Patrica, with less-than-ideal results.

Losing three straight will prompt criticism for any team, but after a hot start, the Eagles are under a much bigger microscope.

Once thought to be odds-on favorites to return to the Super Bowl, their recent struggles have many believing an early playoff exit might be on the horizon instead.