Eagles’ Oren Burks fined for play that started wild-card win – NBC Sports Philadelphia

Eagles linebacker Oren Burks was fined $8,333 by the NFL for being unnecessarily rough (using the helmet) in the opener in the 22-10 win in the wild-card round last week of the Eagles against the Packers in the wild card round.

Burks forced a fumble with a big hit on the opening kickoff, but the play was not marked on the field. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. recovered the fumble and the Eagles scored a touchdown a few plays later.

“I tried to beat him, man,” Burks said after the game. “Hit him with everything I got, man. As I said, just set the tone early. That was the physicality we wanted to play with.”

Even though the play was considered error-free on the field, Packers returner Keisean Nixon wasn’t happy about it.

“It was a sudden change, they scored right after, so they got the ball,” Nixon said, via SI.com. “But I definitely got the ball back. It should have aimed from helmet to helmet, but I can’t elaborate. Never been hit so hard. It was like the first time, I was somehow unsettled. But it is what it is.”

The Eagles were able to take the ball away three more times thanks to Jordan Love’s interceptions and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Burks ended up playing defense for much of the game after middle linebacker Nakobe Dean suffered a season-ending knee injury. Burks and Trotter Jr. are expected to fill in for Dean on Sunday.

In addition to the Burks fine, two Packers players were also fined last week. Both Lukas Van Ness and Tedarrell Salmon were fined for unnecessary roughness (late hitting) late in the fourth quarter.

Subscribe to Eagle Eye wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify | stapler | Simplecast | RSS | Watch on YouTube