On Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field, The Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams meet in the Playoffs for the fourth time in NFL history. The Eagles and Rams have butted heads in each round of the NFL postseason thus far except the Divisional Round, so this weekend’s contest completes the set of Infinity Stones for the playoff series between these two long-time NFL franchises.
The postseason football meetings between Philadelphia—Los Angeles/St. Louis predates the Super Bowl era. The squads first clashed 76 years ago in an NFL Championship game during the Truman Administration. Forty years later, they linked up again for an NFC Wild Card matchup that kickstarted an impressive Rams postseason. Finally, Andy Reid and Mike Martz battled for the right to advance to the Super Bowl during the 2002 NFC Title game, the last time these two teams battled in the Playoffs.
Eagles Win 1949 NFL Championship
The first postseason meeting between Philadelphia and Los Angeles on the gridiron resulted in a 14-0 shutout win for Greasy Neale’s Eagles at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Philly’s defense was dominant as the Birds limited the Rams to 119 yards and seven first downs. Eagles running back Steve Van Buren totaled 196 yards on 31 carries. Philly QB Tommy Thompson located Pete Pihos for a second-quarter touchdown pass that was the only offensive point of the game. Philadelphia blocked a punt near the Los Angeles endzone in the third quarter, resulting in a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Leo Skaldany.
The Rams’ starting quarterback that afternoon would become a household name in Philadelphia a decade later. The Rams’ rookie signal-caller, Norm Van Brocklin, finished his first NFL Title game with 55 yards on 5-for-14 passing in the loss. Van Brocklin was selected to the next six Pro Bowls between 1950 and 1955 – the QBs aged 24 through 29 seasons. In 1958, a 32-year-old Van Brocklin arrived in Philly for three seasons, culminating in the Eagles’ memorable 1960 NFL championship celebration.
Rams Bounce Birds in 1989 NFC Wild Card
Los Angeles waited 40 years for postseason revenge against Philadelphia. The two franchises played in the 1989 NFC Wild Card game on New Year’s Eve, a 21-6 win for the Rams at Veterans Stadium. Los Angeles jumped out to a 14-point first-quarter advantage and never allowed Philly to get back into the game. The Eagles scored a fourth-quarter touchdown to cut the score to 14-7. However, a Greg Bell touchdown scamper ended the game in favor of LA, 21-7.
The fifth-seeded Rams’ joyride through the playoffs lasted into mid-January’s NFC Championship game. Los Angeles stunned the second-seed New York Giants with a 19-13 overtime win in the Divisional playoffs at Giants Stadium. The following week, the defending Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers unceremoniously dispatched LA from the postseason, 30-3, during the NFC Championship game. San Francisco would repeat as Lombardi winners following a 55-10 rout over the Denver Broncos.
Warner Duels With McNabb in the 2002 NFC Championship
Two years after their dramatic Super Bowl XXXIV win over Tennesee, the St. Louis Rams still attempted to impose their will on NFL opponents. St. Louis entered the 2002 postseason with home-field advantage, setting up a battle in the 2002 NFC Championship game against third-seed Philadelphia. Andy Reid’s defense struggled to contain running back Marshall Faulk, who finished with 159 yards and two scores in a 29-24 Rams victory.
In the quarterback battle, Kurt Warner was slightly better than Donovan McNabb on the afternoon, finishing 22-of-33 passing for 212 yards and a touchdown. McNabb ended the game with 18 completions on 30 attempts for 171 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Right before halftime, McNabb located Todd Pinkston on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give Philly a 17-13 lead. Three unanswered scores in the second half, including both Faulk touchdown runs, allowed St. Louis to vault to a 29-17 lead they never relinquished.
The Rams left Super Bowl XXXVI without a trophy following a 20-17 loss to the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots. It was the first of seven NFL Titles Brady won during his 23-year NFL career. Adam Vinatieri connected on a 48-yard field goal as time expired for the win.
Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images
