No love lost between NFC East rivals
Fred Johnson was square in the middle of team’s controversial two-point attempt. Philadelphia Eagles v Washington Commanders – NFL 2025
What began as a two-point conversion attempt sparked into a massive scuffle late in Week 16’s 29-18 Philadelphia Eagles win over the host Washington Commanders, and a fired-up Fred Johnson was smack dab in the middle of a spirited sequence of events.
The veteran offensive tackle got into it with several angry Commanders shortly after Saquon Barkley hit paydirt on the controversial two-point attempt, which stretched an already comfortable Eagles lead to 19 with under five minutes remaining.
Fireworks soon commenced, as several players from each team joined the extended tussle. A result featuring six flags and three players tossed – including teammate Tyler Steen and Washington’s Javon Kinlaw and safety Quan Martin – suggested there won’t be many Christmas cards exchanged between these heated NFC East rivals.
Fred Johnson speaks out about fight in Eagles-Commanders game
With the Eagles securing a second straight NFC East crown – just the second repeat performance in the past 21 years – Johnson was in no rush to put out the flames post-game, either.
“I guess they were upset, but I don’t give a f***”,” said Johnson, per ESPN reporters Jon Keim and Tim McManus. “It’s football. You can’t control what the next person does.”
Since re-joining the Eagles late this past offseason, Johnson has been an integral presence up front, filling in admirably to become one of the league’s most reliable swing tackles. His locker-room take on the melee echoed sentiments similar to the “nobody likes us, we don’t care” mantra embraced by teammates and fans alike for several years now, too.
And with these two squads poised to go toe-to-toe once more in just two weeks, emotions are sure to be on full tilt when the Commanders pay a visit to Lincoln Financial Field in week 18.