Former All-Pro says quiet part out loud about Marshon Lattimore's losing battle

Marshon Lattimore has never been one to shirk a challenge. The Washington Commanders acquired the cornerback via trade from the New Orleans Saints to lock down one side of the field and bring a fire that was sorely lacking within the unit. He got the first real test in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Lattimore took on the responsibility of shadowing Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown throughout the contest. He had some decent moments, but restricting the physical pass-catcher entirely is an impossible task.

The former Ohio State standout didn't back down an inch. This was a genuine heavyweight battle between two exceptional players. Both had success during the contest, which the Commanders managed to win after a barnstorming fourth-quarter showing.

Things would have been better for Lattimore had it not been for three almost consecutive defensive pass interference calls when guarding Brown in the third quarter. The officials adjudged his aggression in coverage as over the top. That was not an opinion shared by former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman.

Richard Sherman leaps to Marshon Lattimore's defense over DPI calls in Week 16

The player-turned-analyst blasted the alleged favoritism directed towards offensive stars in today's game. Sherman came to Lattimore's defense, highlighting the fact Brown had hold of the four-time Pro Bowler and nothing was done about it. Something that meant he was fighting a losing battle when push came to shove.

"Those P.I. calls on [Marshon] Lattimore were absolute horses---. I'm so tired of this game getting so soft and ridiculous, and people having the audacity to complain about it. Like, how are those P.I.s? If the receiver is physical, then you have to let the DB at least defend himself. Don't be praising these receivers for "Oh man, he's so physical. He's so strong." And you see him pushing the corner in the neck, and pushing him off, and grabbing him by the collar. And then when the corner gets his hands off of him, you're like "Oh my God, you can't grab him." What about him grabbing me by the neck while running his route? Let the boys play."

Richard Sherman

Sherman has a point. The NFL rules are directed to benefit the offense more often than not. Fans and TV networks want to see high-scoring games and dramatic highlights. Defensive efficiency doesn't fit into that.

This was also a heated battle between division rivals. Lattimore versus Brown is something that will whet the appetite within the NFC East for years to come. Recognizing this matchup for what it was and letting little things go in competitive spirit might have been the smarter course of action.

But it wasn't to be.

There's nothing anybody can do about that now. The Commanders got the last laugh thanks to a sensational fightback and five touchdowns from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels en route to a landmark success at Northwest Stadium. That was the most important thing above all else in Washington's quest for the postseason.

As for Lattimore? The battle left him weary.

He left the contest after aggravating the hamstring issue that left him on the shelf for weeks before his return against the Saints. The Commanders face an anxious wait before getting an official prognosis in the coming days.

Losing a player of Lattimore's caliber would be a blow. But his performance versus Brown — aside from the dubious infringements — was pretty encouraging all things considered.