PHILADELPHIA — Extra motivation is not necessary in NFC East games between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
The teams have been playing football since 1934 when the Boston Redskins — an apparent defensive juggernaut — beat the Eagles, 6-0, at Fenway Park.
So, when 325-pound nose tackle Chris Baker peels back to level the quarterback during a supposed interception return, things will get dicey. Fast.
Baker walloped Eagles quarterback Nick Foles on Sunday during the Eagles’ 37-34 win against the Redskins. After it appeared Foles had thrown an interception, Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland was running the return up the left sideline, the Redskins’ side of the field, when Baker rammed a shoulder into Foles and ferociously knocked him to the ground. That incensed Eagles tackle Jason Peters and pushed an already chippy game between division rivals into a violent swarm of activity.
A multiplayer fight spilled onto the Washington sideline. Dozens of players were pushing and punching, even players not on the field at the start of the play.
It took time to separate the teams. At one point, the referee had to announce that both teams were instructed to return to their sidelines, leaving just the officials and numerous yellow flags on the field.
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Once it was sorted out, the interception was overturned following a replay review, Foles was back in the game and Baker was in the locker room with nine minutes remaining in a game tied at 27.
“Well, I saw our guy had an interception, and I went to do what we’re taught to do, and that’s go through the block,” Baker said. “I didn’t look to see if it was the quarterback or not, but all I saw was someone going to pursue the ball and I got my head in front and I led with my shoulder, which was a legal football hit. I was doing what I was taught to do, and I got punched in my face on the sideline and the next thing you know, I’m ejected for making a block, I guess.”
The Eagles did not agree with Baker.
“It was obviously dirty,” Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy said. “That kind of charged us up a bit.”
Adding to the confusion was the officials initially announcing that Redskins left tackle Trent Williams had been ejected along with Baker. They had the wrong 71, meaning the Eagles’ Peters.
“Tempers flare up,” Williams said. “It’s a tough divisional game, so you know, guys are starting to lose their cool. Obviously, they got me mixed up with No. 71 from Philly, so I was kind of surprised to know that I was getting tossed, but then they got it corrected.”
Baker repeated that he didn’t think his hit was dirty. He also added that he was punched afterward, and the player who struck him was not ejected. Put simply, Baker doesn’t think he did something wrong.
“If I could do it again, I would do it again,” Baker said.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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