Joe Davis has faced criticism for his “preposterous” commentary during Sunday’s dramatic matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders. Eagles fans were particularly upset with how Davis and FOX color commentator Greg Olsen characterized the game, especially in light of the significant impact Jalen Hurts’ injury had on Philadelphia’s performance.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels orchestrated a thrilling finale, connecting with Jameson Crowder for a game-winning touchdown with six seconds remaining to seal a 36-33 victory. Davis’ emphatic reaction, describing Washington’s win as “preposterous” due to their five turnovers, sparked backlash among Eagles fans and media. Critics argued that his commentary failed to properly account for the Eagles’ challenges, including Hurts’ absence.
“Someone tell Joe Davis, who keeps saying it’s preposterous that Washington leads Philly, that the Eagles DON’T HAVE THEIR STARTING QUARTERBACK,” wrote Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated on X (formerly Twitter).
The Eagles began the game strong, converting early Commanders turnovers into a quick 14-0 lead. However, their momentum was abruptly halted when Hurts exited with a concussion after taking a hard hit during a quarterback scramble. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett stepped in and initially impressed with a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown but faltered with an interception on his next drive, giving Washington an opportunity to claw back into the game.
Philadelphia’s struggles compounded as key defensive players, including Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, were sidelined due to injuries or ejection. Despite these setbacks, the Eagles held a 13-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Washington stormed back with two quick touchdowns to take the lead, but Philadelphia responded with two field goals, reclaiming a narrow advantage heading into the two-minute warning. Ultimately, Daniels’ late-game heroics delivered a heartbreaking loss for the injury-plagued Eagles.
Fans and analysts criticized Davis’ remarks as tone-deaf, arguing that his focus on Washington’s improbable comeback overshadowed the context of Philadelphia’s undermanned roster. This sentiment was echoed on social media, with many calling Sunday’s broadcast one of the season’s poorest efforts. Despite the controversy, the game will be remembered as one of the most exciting finishes of the 2024 NFL season.
