Eagles’ Nick Sirianni explains controversial 4th-down decision after 'MNF' win over Packers

The Philadelphia Eagles held a three-point lead over the Green Bay Packers with 33 seconds remaining in regulation of what had become a defensive struggle on Monday night when Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni kept his offense on the field for a 4th-and-6 at the Green Bay 35-yard line. 

Following the Eagles' narrow 10-7 victory at Lambeau Field that improved them to 7-2 on the season, Sirianni addressed his controversial decision. 

Why Nick Sirianni didn't punt the ball away on huge fourth-down play

"We’re up three, and I would like to have been in a little closer to kick a field goal," Sirianni explained, per Bob Brookover of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "I think it was into the wind on that one. I knew the kick would have had to be a little bit lower of a trajectory. I have a lot of faith in our offense. It didn’t work out on this one. We just didn’t get it. But the decision, I stand put on that decision, especially being up three. We would have ended the game if we got that, and we have a lot of faith in our guys to do that."

That's all well and good, but Sirianni had reasons to punt the ball away and fully trust his defense in that moment. After all, the visitors kept the Packers off the scoreboard until Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs entered the end zone with 5:49 left in the fourth quarter. 

Nevertheless, Sirianni had quarterback Jalen Hurts drop back to pass on the 4th-and-6 play. Hurts targeted wide receiver A.J. Brown down the left sideline, but the pass was broken up.