Fox play-by-play commentator Joe Davis found himself under fire after his enthusiastic call during the Washington Commanders’ dramatic 36-33 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Fans accused Davis of favoritism and overlooking key context surrounding the game, sparking heated debate across social media.
Davis, paired with analyst Greg Olsen in the broadcast booth, called what many are dubbing a “Game of the Year” candidate at Northwest Stadium. The back-and-forth contest reached its crescendo in the final moments when Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder with just six seconds left, sealing Washington’s victory.
The win snapped Philadelphia’s impressive 10-game winning streak and secured the Commanders’ first double-digit-win season (10-5) since 2012. However, it wasn’t the game’s outcome but Davis’ call—particularly his exclamation of “Preposterous!” after the deciding play—that drew criticism.
Fans Call Foul
Fans were quick to voice their displeasure, accusing Davis of delivering a “biased” performance that failed to acknowledge key factors in the Eagles’ loss. Many felt the term “preposterous” was an odd choice, given the context: Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett played the majority of the game after starter Jalen Hurts exited in the first quarter with a concussion.
One disgruntled fan wrote on social media, “The worst part about watching today’s loss was having to listen to Joe Davis and Greg Olsen for three straight hours.”
Another added, “Joe Davis is great, but he keeps absolutely ignoring that Jalen Hurts hasn’t played since the first quarter. This isn’t the ‘preposterous’ comeback he thinks it is. Things change when the star QB is out. What a shocker!”
A third fan vented, “I was just disgusted by this. The Birds lost, it happens. But his commentary was so bad. Just trash.”
Other viewers criticized Davis for failing to account for how Hurts’ absence influenced the game’s dynamics. “He was horrible today. Never once considered how the game would have been different if Hurts didn’t get hurt,” one comment read.
The sarcastic refrain “It’s preposterous!” became a rallying cry among upset Eagles fans, mocking Davis’ choice of words during the broadcast.
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A Game-Changing Matchup
Despite the controversy, Sunday’s game lived up to its billing as a marquee NFC East showdown. The Eagles, leading the NFC East with a 12-3 record, had already clinched the conference’s second seed heading into the matchup. Meanwhile, the Commanders continued their playoff push, aiming for their first postseason appearance since the 2020 wild-card round.
The Eagles faced an uphill battle after Hurts was sidelined with a concussion. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett stepped in and put up a valiant effort, completing 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The Eagles relied heavily on running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and wide receiver A.J. Brown, who caught eight passes for 97 yards and a score. Jake Elliott contributed two late field goals to give Philadelphia a 33-28 lead with under two minutes remaining.
However, the Commanders, led by Jayden Daniels, engineered a remarkable comeback. Daniels finished with 258 passing yards, a career-high five touchdowns, and 81 rushing yards. His final drive covered 57 yards in just nine plays, capped by the touchdown pass to Crowder. Washington then sealed the win with a successful two-point conversion run by Jeremy McNichols.
Looking Ahead
The Eagles remain atop the NFC East and are positioned as the No. 2 seed in the NFC with two crucial games left against the Cowboys and the Giants. Philadelphia will need Hurts back at full strength if they hope to secure home-field advantage and make a deep playoff run.
For the Commanders, the win bolstered their playoff hopes, with Jayden Daniels cementing his role as a rising star. With a 10-5 record, Washington is on track to return to the postseason for the first time in three years.
A Broader Debate
Joe Davis’ commentary sparked broader conversations about the role of play-by-play announcers and the fine line between enthusiasm and perceived bias. While his call of “Preposterous!” highlighted the game’s thrilling conclusion, fans’ reactions underscored how critical balanced commentary is to the viewing experience—especially in high-stakes matchups like this one.
Whether Davis addresses the criticism or moves forward without comment remains to be seen, but the controversy serves as a reminder of how passionately fans engage with the NFL—not just on the field, but in the broadcast booth as well.
