WATCH: Nick Sirianni pulled off a savvy coaching move during the Eagles’ 37-20 victory over the Rams on Sunday Night

And they tried to tell us that Nick Sirianni wasn’t a good football coach…

Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles showed their savvy on Sunday Night in Los Angeles, using a clever rulebook maneuver to help seal a 37-20 victory over the Rams in Week 12.

Late in the third quarter, with the Eagles leading 27-14, the Rams faced a 3rd-and-3 at the Philadelphia 14-yard line. Matthew Stafford’s incomplete pass to Puka Nacua was paired with a holding penalty on the Rams.

Initially, the Eagles declined the penalty, forcing a 4th-and-short. But as the Rams lined up to go for it, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni called a timeout and decided to accept the penalty instead.

Nick Sirianni flips the script on penalty decision after seeing Rams formation:

agreed pic.twitter.com/6CVx4RFqeG

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 25, 2024

The decision paid off in a big way. On the replayed third down, Stafford was sacked for a five-yard loss, and Rams kicker Lucas Havrisik missed the ensuing 47-yard field goal attempt. What could have been a momentum swing for Los Angeles instead left the Eagles firmly in control with their 13-point lead intact.

While the move was within the rules, it sparked debate among fans, with some questioning whether it felt like bending the spirit of fair play. Still, Nick Sirianni’s ability to exploit the situation to Philadelphia’s advantage highlighted the sharp game management that has defined the Eagles’ season.

Okay, maybe hasn’t defined the Eagles’ season but still, it was a sharp decision.

Sirianni declined holding penalty. Rams line up to go for it on fourth-and-3. Sirianni accepts holding penalty.

Why can he do that?

— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) November 25, 2024

Deciding to take a penalty after Rams decide to go for it should be illegal. Without a doubt. It is a freeroll to see if they will be dumb, absurd

— RetiredDonater (@NFLPinnacleBeat) November 25, 2024

Once you decide to take or not take the penalty, it should be over.

This is BS.

— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 25, 2024

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The sequence was a pivotal moment in a game where the Rams had little margin for error. If Los Angeles had converted on 4th-and-3 and gone on to score, they could have cut the lead to six and changed the dynamic of the contest. Instead, they came away empty-handed.

From there, the Eagles never looked back. Saquon Barkley continued his dominant night, torching the Rams for 255 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

The Rams’ defense had no answer for Barkley, and Philadelphia’s smart coaching decisions only widened the gap. With their seventh straight win, the Eagles remain a force to be reckoned with in the NFC.

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