Video: Eagles' A.J. Brown Says Commanders' Lattimore 'Engaged Me First' on Penalty
January 28, 2025
Marshon Lattimore is no stranger to stirring the pot in an attempt to get in the head of an opposing receiver, so it wasn't a surprise to see him try going after A.J. Brown in the NFC Championship Game between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Appearing on Janky Rondo's Twitch Stream, Brown explained Lattimore "engaged me first" on a play late in the first half when the Eagles were attempting a two-point conversion that resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Commanders cornerback.
𝒆𝒍𝒊… @CMNDERS<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eagles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eagles</a> WR AJ Brown explains his side of controversial flag on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Commanders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Commanders</a> CB Marshon Lattimore<br><br>"He engaged me first — i'm not out there to fight but i will fight if it go there, i stopped when they [refs] said stop and he ain't stop"<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/JankyRondo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JankyRondo</a>) <a href="https://t.co/gdJodoJZA4">pic.twitter.com/gdJodoJZA4</a>
The Eagles were running a condensed formation because they were trying the Brotherly Shove on the conversion attempt, so Brown was lined up close to the tight end.
Lattimore was standing directly opposite Brown and when the ball was snapped, he made the initial contact that led to the Eagles receiver to push back. They briefly locked up before Brown let to to avoid falling into the trap being set.
It's a credit to the Commanders that they were able to regroup immediately to stop a second Brotherly Shove attempt to keep the score 20-12. Things fell apart on the ensuing kickoff when Jeremy McNichols fumbled, allowing Philadelphia to get another touchdown before the half.
Lattimore has a history of trying to get under the skin of the player who he will most often be matched up against. His feud with Mike Evans is the stuff of legend that dates back to Lattimore's rookie season with the New Orleans Saints in 2017.
Lattimore's tactics didn't do much to help him in coverage. He allowed 88 yards and a 109.7 passer rating in coverage, plus the personal foul penalty and a 17-yard pass interference penalty trying to cover DeVonta Smith two plays before he got tangled up with Brown.
The Eagles got the last laugh against Lattimore with a 55-23 win over the Commanders to reach the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons.
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