In a dramatic Monday night showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons, three seasoned NFL quarterbacks had some valuable advice for Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning collectively started an impressive 782 games at quarterback in their respective careers, making them well-versed in late-game situations where clock management is crucial.

During their appearance on the ManningCast, Ryan, Peyton, and Eli were unanimous in their warning to Sirianni: avoid risking the clock stopping with an incomplete pass. With the Eagles holding a narrow 18-15 lead late in the fourth quarter, the trio predicted that the ball would not be thrown again, expecting the Eagles to aim for a run-and-clock strategy.

However, Ryan's prediction proved to be inaccurate when Sirianni called for a third-and-3 pass, intended for Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Unfortunately for the Eagles, Barkley dropped the pass, stopping the clock and gifting the Falcons an additional 40 seconds of playtime. Ultimately, this proved to be the turning point as the Falcons capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a touchdown with just 34 seconds left to win the game.

The Manning brothers recognized that this was the only path to victory for the Falcons. As the Falcons utilized their final timeouts, Eli asked Peyton whether the Falcons would regain possession if the Eagles threw the ball. Peyton responded confidently, "They're not gonna throw it." Ryan chimed in, asserting that the ball should not be thrown for the remainder of the game.

Both Peyton and Eli speculated that the Eagles might have tried the "tush push" strategy on third-and-3 and planned to go for it again on fourth down if the first attempt failed to gain the necessary yardage. Peyton adamantly stated, "The push is coming. You can't throw it here."

Contrary to their advice, the Eagles chose to throw the ball, resulting in an incomplete pass that stopped the clock. Peyton expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the significance of their warning, saying, "That's why you don't throw. Kirk Cousins is over there celebrating. As soon as he saw him drop back, he said, 'Yes!'"

The Eagles' decision to attempt a pass in such a critical moment proved to be the most surprising and debated choice of the young NFL season. It was a decision that three veteran quarterbacks, who had experienced similar situations countless times, begged the Eagles not to make.

As analysts and fans dissect this controversial play, it serves as a reminder that even seasoned coaches can find themselves at odds with proven strategies when pressure mounts in the closing moments of a game. In the end, it was the Falcons who seized the opportunity, while the Eagles were left to reflect on a risky pass that ultimately cost them the victory.