‘No Flag’ was the right call but the NFL handed Oren Burks a fine for his hit on Packers’ Keisean Nixon anyways

OREN BURKS FINED – Let’s get one thing straight: the NFL doesn’t need to throw a flag every time there’s a big hit. Sunday’s opening kickoff in the Eagles-Packers Wild Card showdown was a perfect example of a bang-bang football play, not some egregious penalty. Sure, the league hit Oren Burks with an $8,333 fine after the fact (cowards) but in real time? The officials got it right.

No flag was warranted but of course, the NFL wants their money and issued a fine to Oren Burks. Color me surprised.

Oren Burks fined $8,333 for unnecessary roughness for hit on Packers‘ Keisean Nixon

The NFL fined #Eagles LB Oren Burks $8,333 for unnecessary roughness (use of helmet) — his hit on #Packers KR Keisean Nixon that caused a fumble on the opening kickoff last week.

No flag was thrown.

pic.twitter.com/TjFr5jmSbg

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 18, 2025

Bang-Bang Football Play, Nothing More

What happened to the game I loved?

Keisean Nixon simply took a hit from Burks that jarred the ball loose, leading to a fumble recovery by the Eagles and an early touchdown. Yes, it was a physical hit. Yes, it was impactful. But last I checked, this is the NFL—National Football League—not flag football.

Nixon might not like it, but sometimes you just take the hit and move on.

The league’s fine is their way of covering bases and appeasing critics who want to sanitize every aspect of the game. But let’s call it what it was: a clean, hard-nosed play. Helmet-to-helmet? Maybe by the letter of the law, but in the spirit of the game, that was nothing more than good, physical football.

Time to Focus on the Rams

Eagles fans don’t need to sweat the fine or the noise around it. Oren Burks and the Birds did their job. The defense came to play, and that opening series set the tone for a dominant 22-10 win over the Packers. Now, it’s about staying locked in. Forget the noise from Green Bay fans and Keisean Nixon’s postgame commentary. The Eagles are on to the Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams are coming into Lincoln Financial Field tomorrow, and that’s where the Eagles’ focus needs to be. Let Burks eat the fine, move on, and keep delivering hits like that. If the Birds can bring that same intensity and physicality, they’ll be booking a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

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Football Should Stay Football

Here’s the bottom line: the NFL needs to let players play. Not every big hit is dirty, and not every bang-bang moment deserves a flag. The Eagles made the play, came away with the ball, and set the tone for a playoff win. That’s football, plain and simple. So let’s leave the whining to the Cancun Packers and gear up for tomorrow.

Rain or snow, South Philly will ready.

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