The Philadelphia Eagles have punched their ticket to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana. For Birds fans who have lived and barely breathed with every snap of the football this postseason, the on-field scene has played out to a familiar script, which led to a parade down Broad Street in 2018.
Here are a few of the eerily similar situations almost a decade apart that might help Eagles fans feel more confident heading into the gridiron battle with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on February 9.
Eagles Survive Late Scare in Divisional Playoff
During their Super Bowl-winning season in 2017, Philadelphia faced a problematic task fending off Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Playoff, 15-10, at Lincoln Financial Field. Needing a touchdown to take the lead, Ryan led a 5:04 drive with a chance to win the game for Atlanta with just over a minute remaining on the clock. On a critical 4th-&-2, the Exton, PA-born visiting QB launched a ball towards the corner of the endzone for Julio Jones that fell to the green turf at the Linc. Nick Foles kneeled out the win, sending the Eagles to the NFC Championship game.
This season, Philly faces a similar challenge against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Playoff. With a six-point advantage late in the game, the Eagles leaned on their defense to carry the team to victory with a late one-possession lead. Despite the wintery elements, Rams QB Matthew Stafford led the Rams into the red zone with 90 seconds left in regulation. Jalen Carter’s nine-yard sack on 3rd-&-2 essentially ended the game before a 4th down incompletion in the direction of Puka Nacua. Jalen Hurts put a hobbled knee to the ground to seal a tight 28-22 victory.
Dominating Defense Powers NFC Championship Win
A buzzing Lincoln Financial Field hosted the 2017 NFC Championship game – a blowout win by the Eagles over the Vikings, 38-7. Philadelphia’s defense caused three turnovers with a fumble recovery by Chris Long and interceptions from Corey Graham and Patrick Robinson, who returned his pick halfway across the gridiron for 50 yards and six points on the scoreboard in the first quarter. The Eagles scored five more times without an answer from the Vikings, sending Philadelphia north to Minnesota for the NFL’s biggest game.
Would you look at that? A hyped-up, Kelly Green-clad crowd welcomed the 2024 NFC Championship game at the Linc – a decisive Eagles win over the Commanders, 55-23. While six touchdowns between Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts were significant, the defensive turnovers created by the Eagles made the difference in the NFC Title win. The Eagles recovered three fumbles on the afternoon: Reid Blankenship, Zach Baun, and Kenny Gainwell…? Yessir, “Kenny G” recovered a loose ball on a kick-off that his RB room partner Will Shipley knocked out after the Birds re-established an eight-point lead. The fourth turnover on the day was Quinyon Mitchell’s second career interception, resulting in a touchback with a 48-23 Eagles advantage.
Philly Presented Another Opportunity to Disrupt a Dynasty
With appearances in over 80% of Super Bowls since the 2019 season, there is no arguing that Andy Reid has built a dynasty in Kansas City over the last decade. The Philadelphia Eagles have seen and interrupted a dominating hold on the Lombardi Trophy once before in 2017 against the New England Patriots football dynasty under Bill Belichick. New England would’ve had their second “three-peat” without the dastardly Eagles at Super Bowl LII. Philly’s Super Bowl during the 2017 campaign is sandwiched between a pair of Patriots parades for the 2016 and 2018 NFL seasons.
The outcome of Super Bowl LIX will be decided by fate in a few weeks. However, Eagles fans can realistically dream about another Super Bowl Parade in Philadelphia because this franchise has stopped the NFL Dynasty juggernaut before on its way to a Vince Lombardi trophy. This time, Philadelphia enters with revenge on their mind against the same opponent that narrowly stopped the Birds at Super Bowl LVII.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
