The Philadelphia Eagles are set to compete in their ninth NFC Championship Game, facing the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field for a chance to advance to Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles have a playoff record of 27-26 across 53 games since the NFL and AFL merger in 1970. This marks their second NFC Championship Game appearance under head coach Nick Sirianni. The winner of this game will meet either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl.
Here’s a look at the Eagles’ playoff history as they prepare for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
Playoff Appearances And Overall Performance
The Eagles first hit the playoffs back in 1947, and since then, they’ve made 31 playoff appearances, playing a total of 53 postseason games. Their overall playoff record is 27-26, which shows a fairly balanced history. Lately, they’ve been on a spree, making 9 playoff appearances since 2000, with a streak of 4 straight from 2017 to 2020. Over the past 15 years (2007-2022), the Eagles have stayed competitive, making some deep playoff runs.
At home, the Eagles have been strong in the postseason, with a 14-7 playoff record at Lincoln Financial Field. While they’ve struggled a bit in the Wild Card round with a 9-11 record, they’ve done much better in the Divisional Round, where they’ve racked up a 10-7 record. The Eagles have really been a solid postseason team in the 2010s and 2020s, proving they know how to handle the pressure.
NFC Championship Games Appearances And Victories
This is the Eagles’ 9th appearance in the NFC Championship Game, and they’ve won 4 of the 8 they’ve played so far. Their most recent win came in 2017 when they crushed the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 to claim their third NFC title. That win set them up for their first Super Bowl victory, making 2017 one of the greatest years in the Eagles’ history. They’ve had some tough losses in the NFC Championship, too, including a painful defeat in 1980 against the Dallas Cowboys and a close loss in 2004 to the Carolina Panthers.
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In addition to the 2017 win, the Eagles also triumphed in 2004 when they took down the Atlanta Falcons 27-10, sending them to their first Super Bowl in 24 years. For the Eagles, the NFC Championship Game is a crucial step toward Super Bowl contention and has been a battle for dominance in the NFC.
Super Bowl Appearances And Success
The Philadelphia Eagles have been to the Super Bowl four times, with one big win in Super Bowl LII (2017 season), where they topped the New England Patriots 41-33 in a thrilling shootout. Nick Foles led the charge, throwing for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. That game is most remembered for the “Philly Special,” the trick play where Foles caught a touchdown pass, a moment that will go down in Eagles lore. That win was the Eagles’ first-ever Super Bowl title and gave the city of Philadelphia its long-awaited championship.
Unfortunately, not all of their Super Bowl appearances have ended in glory. They lost in Super Bowl XV (1980 season) to the Oakland Raiders 27-10, and in Super Bowl XXXIX (2004 season), they fell short to the Patriots 24-21. Their most recent Super Bowl appearance was in 2022 (Super Bowl LVII), where they came up just short against the Kansas City Chiefs, losing 38-35. Still, Jalen Hurts made history by setting a Super Bowl record with 3 rushing touchdowns, and he accounted for 4 total touchdowns, showing incredible heart in the loss.
Also Read: What Are The Longest Playoff Droughts In NFL History?
Pre-Super Bowl Era NFL Championships
Before the Super Bowl era, the Eagles won 3 NFL Championships. The first two came in back-to-back seasons, 1948 and 1949, where they were dominant in the early years of the NFL. The 1948 title was earned in a snowy battle against the Chicago Cardinals, with the Eagles winning 7-0. In 1949, they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 14-0, making history with the first shutout in NFL title game history.
Their third title came in 1960 when they beat the Green Bay Packers 17-13. This victory was especially significant because it handed legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi his only postseason loss. Norm Van Brocklin was the star quarterback in that game, throwing for 143 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles’ defense was crucial, holding down the Packers’ explosive offense.
Notable Players And Coaches In Playoff History
A lot of the Eagles’ success in the playoffs can be credited to the standout players and coaches who helped build their legacy. Donovan McNabb, the team’s all-time leader in playoff passing yards (3,914) and touchdowns (26), led the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance. His leadership, especially in the 2004 Super Bowl run, is a huge part of the team’s playoff history.
Other key players include Brian Dawkins, the Hall of Fame safety, who is known for his leadership and fierce play, especially in the 2004 and 2008 NFC Championship Games. Nick Foles, a hero in Philly for leading the Eagles to Super Bowl LII, is remembered for his amazing playoff performances, including his Super Bowl MVP. Jalen Hurts, the young star quarterback, made a name for himself in Super Bowl LVII, setting a Super Bowl record with 3 rushing touchdowns and 4 total touchdowns despite the loss.
Coaching has also played a big part in the Eagles’ playoff success. Andy Reid led the team to four NFC Championship Games, Doug Pederson brought home the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl, and Nick Sirianni has proven himself as a strong coach with a bright future, guiding the team to Super Bowl LVII early in his career.
Also Read: Which Are The Highest-Scoring Playoff Games In NFL History?
