Diggs Celebration Penalty Costs Commanders in Loss to Eagles
Stefon Diggs was flagged for using the goal post as a prop after his first touchdown with the Commanders, a 15-yard penalty that prevented Washington from attempting a game-tying two-point conversion in a 24-22 loss to Philadelphia.
Stefon Diggs made one of the most impressive plays of his debut with the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but it was his celebration that may have cost his team the game. The veteran wide receiver was penalized for using the goal post as a prop after scoring a 10-yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, a 15-yard infraction that pushed Washington back and eliminated its chance to attempt a game-tying two-point conversion.
The Commanders trailed 17-9 with about 10 minutes remaining when Diggs hauled in the score to cut the deficit to 17-15. Washington head coach Dan Quinn said afterward that he intended to go for two points to tie the game. But Diggs's celebration — jumping on the goal post, a move the NFL outlawed in 2006 — drew an immediate flag. The penalty backed the Commanders up, forcing them to kick an extra point instead. That made the score 17-16, and Washington never got another chance to tie the game from the 2-yard line.
«As soon as I wrapped my arms around it I was like this: 'Oh I forgot,'» Diggs told reporters at his locker after the game. «Back in the day, you know, I've been playing a long time, you used to could do that. So, update on the rules and sometimes when you've been in the game a long time, uh, I got to be better.» Diggs, 32, is in his first season with Washington after playing for three other teams in the previous three years. He entered the league in 2015, but using the goal post as a prop has been illegal since 2006, meaning there was never a time during his career when the celebration was permitted.
The penalty proved costly. The Commanders later attempted a two-point conversion on a subsequent touchdown, but failed. Had Diggs not been flagged, Washington could have attempted the tying two-pointer after his score. An extra point later would have tied the game at 24. Instead, the Commanders lost 24-22. Quinn confirmed his intention to go for two after Diggs's touchdown, saying, «Yeah, we were going to go for two.»
Quarterback Jayden Daniels placed some of the blame on himself for not reminding teammates to avoid costly celebrations. «You've just got to be smarter,» Daniels said. «We got to know situations and situational football... We've just got to be smart. There is a time and place for everything and celebrations. I'm pretty sure at that point we could have gone for two.»
Quinn said he spoke with Diggs about the mistake after the game. «He knows better in that space and he knows that,» Quinn said. «So we did talk about that in that spot. I love his fight. I love what he stands for, but as the competitor, he knows better in that spot.»
Diggs's touchdown itself was a highlight. He ran a precise route that froze Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, leaving him wide open for the score. But the celebration overshadowed the play and left the Commanders ruing a missed opportunity in a game decided by two points. The loss drops Washington to 0-1, while Philadelphia improves to 1-0.
