Things got out of hand late Saturday night in a rivalry game between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles. A fourth-quarter fight led to three ejections, including Commanders defenders Javon Kinlaw and Quan Martin. With the NFL’s rules against fighting, both players could now face fines or additional discipline after an incident that closed out Philadelphia’s 29-18 win and secured the Eagles a second straight NFC East title.
Eagles vs. Commanders Brawl Leads to Multiple Ejections
The fight broke out following a questionable two-point conversion by Eagles running back Saquon Barkley that extended Philadelphia’s lead to 19 points with roughly four and a half minutes remaining. What started as post-play jawing quickly escalated into a scrum involving multiple players from both teams.
Officials threw six flags as pushing, shoving, and punches spilled across the field. Ultimately, three players were disqualified for unnecessary roughness: Kinlaw and Martin for Washington, and Eagles offensive lineman Tyler Steen.
Barkley, who finished the night with 132 rushing yards on 21 carries and a touchdown, acknowledged the intensity of the rivalry after the game.
“I guess it was a theme. … The fans were fighting … and I guess it carried over to the game,” Barkley said. “It’s chippy out there, and we have a lot of history with this team. This team don’t like us. It’s just the truth. And we don’t like them, either.”
Officials eventually regained control, but the damage had already been done. The disqualifications marked one of the ugliest moments of the matchup and ensured the league office would review the incident closely in the days ahead.
NFL Discipline History Suggests Fines Could Follow
The NFL does not allow fighting. Players who throw punches are ejected and usually fined, with suspensions possible depending on the situation. According to the NFL’s official rules, fines for fighting start around $40,000 and can climb past $80,000 for repeat violations.
Even lesser unsportsmanlike conduct penalties often exceed $14,000. The league has also demonstrated a willingness to suspend players when altercations cross specific lines.
For example, Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch received a one-game suspension without pay after striking Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during a post-game incident earlier this season. In announcing that punishment, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan made the league’s stance clear.
“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players,” Runyan wrote in a letter, per the league’s statement. “Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
Any discipline handed down for Kinlaw and Martin would come after the league completes its review process.
It’s worth noting that the league does not retain money collected through NFL fines. According to league policy, those funds are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation, supporting former players in need and youth football initiatives. Since 2011, roughly $4 million has been spent annually on these causes.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn declined to directly answer whether it was disrespectful for the Eagles to go for two after a late touchdown in a lopsided game when asked during his postgame news conference. However, Quinn did offer a response that sounded like a warning, noting that these NFC East rivals will meet again on Jan. 4 in Philadelphia to close the season.
“If that’s how they want to get down, all good,” Quinn said. “We’ll play them again in two weeks.”
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