Packers’ Cason Nixon disputes early wild-card fumble, says Eagles should have punted

Sunday’s wild card game between Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers made an unexpected start.

That’s what the judges decided Packers defensive backs Cason Nixon fumbled the first down. The Eagles got the ball back and quickly took advantage of the short field. On Philadelphia’s offensive third, quarterback Jalen Hurts threw an 11-yard pass to Jahan Dotson.

Philly never trailed in a playoff game and eventually punched its ticket to the divisional round with a 22-10 win over Green Bay. After the game, Nixon claimed that the game officials — not him — were the ones who dropped the metaphorical ball.

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January 12, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Cason Nixon (25) makes a tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card game at Lincoln Financial Field. (Images by Bill Streicher-Imagn)

Nixon claimed he was the one who recovered the fumble in the pileup and was pigskin after what should have been a dead ball. The two-time All-Pro also argued that the fumble should have been overturned because the Eagles players made an illegal hit that ultimately led to the fumble.

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“I got the ball right back and then he had to aim helmet to helmet,” Nixon said. – I have never been beaten so hard.

January 12, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Oren Burks (42) hits Green Bay Packers cornerback Keysean Nixon (25) on the kickoff in the first half of the NFC Wild Card game at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)

Replay video has surfaced showing Nixon’s initial recovery as he was contacted by players from the opposing team.

The league office can review the play in question and issue disciplinary action — such as a fine — later if it determines an illegal hit occurred.

A general view of Lincoln Financial Field before the NFC Wild Card playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 12, 2025. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

On Monday, Nixon also expressed his disinterest in bringing back the forward strikes. Instead, the 27-year-old wants to focus on being a full-time cornerback.

“I want to be CB1,” Nixon said as the players emptied their lockers for the offseason. “CB1 doesn’t do kick returns. That’s what it is.” Nixon set career highs in pass breakups and forced fumbles this season.

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Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw three interceptions in Sunday’s loss. Hurts, meanwhile, finished the game with two touchdown passes.

Philadelphia awaits the winner of Monday night’s game between the Los Angeles Rams. The wildcard round match was moved to Glendale, Arizonadue to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

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