Eagles are about to play their fifth Super Bowl in franchise history, here's what happened in the previous four
Super Bowl LIX will be the fifth time the Philadelphia Eagles compete for a Lombardi Trophy. The trophy case back in Philly currently has one from seven years ago, and Sunday night will be the franchise's second chance in three years to add to its collection. As one of the NFL's oldest clubs, the Eagles have […]
Super Bowl LIX will be the fifth time the Philadelphia Eagles compete for a Lombardi Trophy. The trophy case back in Philly currently has one from seven years ago, and Sunday night will be the franchise's second chance in three years to add to its collection.
As one of the NFL's oldest clubs, the Eagles have a few championships from the pre-Super Bowl era, but they only played in one post-merger title game during the entire 20th century. This weekend's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs will their fourth Super Bowl appearance in 20 years.
Let's take a look back at Philadelphia's history in Super Bowls, and what happened in each game.
Super Bowl XV
Date: January 25, 1981
Result: Oakland Raiders 27 – Philadelphia Eagles 10
The first Super Bowl Philly played in was held in the same location they're playing in Sunday. Jim Plunkett led the Raiders to their first title following the John Madden era by taking down the Eagles in the Louisiana Superdome, the second time the game was played in the venue and fifth time in New Orleans. Ron Jaworski's best season as Philly's starter ended with four total turnovers against Oakland.
Super Bowl XXXIX
Date: February 6, 2005
Result: New England Patriots 24 – Philadelphia Eagles 21
Fast forward 24 years and the Birds are back in the big game with none other than Andy Reid as head coach. At the time, this was the furthest into a calendar year we had ever seen a Super Bowl, and Tom Brady's greedy hand only had two rings. This win for Brady sealed the Pats as the dynasty that would follow the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s, but Deion Branch went on to be the game's MVP. Don't forget that Terrell Owens had a very similar game as Branch just seven weeks after breaking his leg! Unfortunately, Donovan McNabb's third interception of the night sealed Philadelphia's fate in the final seconds. Reid wouldn't get back to the Super Bowl as Eagles head coach.
Super Bowl LII
Date: February 4, 2018
Result: Philadelphia Eagles 41 – New England Patriots 33
Revenge, baby. The 2017 season was kept alive following Carson Wentz's torn ACL thanks to Nick Foles taking over in the final three-and-a-half games and securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Foles carried that momentum into the postseason and was viewed as David taking on the Goliath known as Brady. One Philly Special, a team-high 100 receiving yards from running back Cory Clement, and a plethora of other special moments later, and the Eagles won their first and only Super Bowl. This is also the second-most total points (74) in Super Bowl history, trailing Super Bowl XXIX by one point.
Super Bowl LVII
Date: February 12, 2023
Result: Kansas City Chiefs 38 – Philadelphia Eagles 35
Reid had already won a Super Bowl with Kansas City a few years prior, but to get his second and firmly establish himself with the all-time greats, he needed to take down his former team just over 10 years after he was fired. Both teams traded touchdowns in an action-packed first half before the Chiefs took their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter. An eight-play, 4:07 touchdown drive capped off by Jalen Hurts touchdown to tie the game was followed by a game-winning Chiefs field goal in the final eight seconds. Reid got his second ring, and the Chiefs' dynasty propelled forward after a two-year hiatus.
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