The Philadelphia Eagles have enjoyed plenty of success in recent years, yet that hasn’t always been the case in the City of Brotherly Love. Since the franchise was established in 1933, there have been plenty of ups and downs.
While it’s always fun to reminisce on the best moments in franchise history, the worst moments are often harder to forget. There are several moments that the Eagles surely wish they could have back or pretend never happened at all.
Ranking the Worst Moments in Philadelphia Eagles History
Throughout franchise history, the Eagles have dealt with plenty of rough moments, including three consecutive losses in the NFC Championship Game. Yet, some other iconic moments and decisions stand out as the worst in Philadelphia’s history.
One of the worst moments in franchise history was an embarrassing blunder. Eagles punter Tom Hutton bobbled the snap on what should have been a game-winning, chip-shot field goal against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football in 1997.
However, it was only a regular season game and didn’t carry the same weight that several of these other moments did for the Eagles. Now let’s take a look back at the five worst moments in franchise history!
5) Jalen Reagor Selected Over Justin Jefferson in the 2020 NFL Draft
As the Eagles were looking to transition to their next phase after winning Super Bowl 52, a wide receiver was viewed as a massive position of need. Philadelphia’s offense lacked a game-breaking deep threat, and that likely contributed to their massive mistake.
With the No. 21 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Eagles selected TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor. While many thought LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson was the best wide receiver remaining, Philadelphia opted to select Reagor due to his impressive speed.
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Jefferson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 22 overall selection while Minnesota famously laughed at Philadelphia’s decision to pick Reagor. Fast forward a few years, and Jefferson has cemented himself as the best wide receiver in the NFL. Meanwhile, Reagor is on his third team in four years in the NFL. Philadelphia’s selection of Reagor over Jefferson is easily one of the worst moments in franchise history.
4) Alshon Jeffery’s Dropped Pass in Divisional Round (2019)
After winning Super Bowl 52, the Eagles were expected to make another playoff run the following season. Despite a slow start to the regular season due to multiple injuries to key players, Philadelphia managed to clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC as a Wild Card team.
The Eagles went on the road and defeated the Chicago Bears thanks to the infamous “Double Doink” missed field goal. Then Philadelphia traveled on the road to take on the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round. The Eagles were trailing 20-14 late in the fourth quarter and appeared to be driving down the field for a potential game-winning touchdown.
If you could go back in time & change one single play in NFL History, what play would it be?
I’ll start — Alshon Jeffery’s drop against the #Saints in the the 2019 playoffs.
If he catches that pass, the #Eagles repeat as Super Bowl champions. pic.twitter.com/RtSpXF58Dg
— James Nagle (@NagleNFL) July 18, 2021
However, Philadelphia’s game-winning drive was halted by Alshon Jeffery dropping a pass that landed right in the hands of Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. It was a heartbreaking end to what truly seemed like another step in Philadelphia’s journey back to the Super Bowl. The Eagles would eventually make it back several years later, but this should be considered one of the worst moments in franchise history.
3) Super Bowl 15 (1981)
The Eagles were considered one of the top teams in the NFL on the road to Super Bowl 15. Philadelphia finished the regular season with a record of 12-4 and won both of its playoff matchups in convincing fashion, which is why the team was considered the clear favorite over the Oakland Raiders in the big game.
Despite being the favorites, the Eagles appeared nervous in the buildup to Super Bowl 15. The big game was played in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, and Oakland’s players were reportedly enjoying the city. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s players seemed timid and worried about the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
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Those nerves clearly carried over to the game as Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski had one of the worst performances of his career. Jaworski completed just 18 of his 38 pass attempts for 291 yards, one touchdown, and a back-breaking three interceptions.
Philadelphia couldn’t get anything going on the ground either, as Wilbert Montgomery had just 44 rushing yards on 16 carries. It was just an embarrassing display as the Eagles fell short in the biggest game in franchise history, and the Raiders became the first Wild Card playoff team to win the Super Bowl.
2) Ronde Barber’s Pick-6 (2003)
The Eagles were the top seed in the NFC and had home-field advantage for a potential trip to the Super Bowl in 2003. Philadelphia hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game, which appeared to be heavily shifted in the Eagles’ favor.
In the previous two postseasons, the Eagles defeated the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay had never won a road playoff game before this matchup and struggled in cold games, going 1-22 all-time in games that were played under 40 degrees to that point. Yet, Tampa Bay’s dominant defense didn’t care what history said about the team in 2003.
The Buccaneers led 20-10 at halftime and held the Eagles’ offense in check for most of the game. However, the Eagles were driving late in the fourth quarter as Donovan McNabb marched them down the field to the 10-yard line. It appeared as though Philadelphia was going to make it a one-possession game with around three minutes remaining.
Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber had different plans, though, as he intercepted McNabb’s pass and silenced the crowd by returning it for a touchdown. Barber’s pick-six sealed the victory for Tampa Bay and earned the franchise a trip to Super Bowl 37, which they won over the Raiders.
1) Super Bowl 39 (2005)
After three consecutive losses in the NFC Championship Game, the Eagles finally got over the hump in 2004. The win they were searching for earned them a trip to Super Bowl 39 against the defending champions: the New England Patriots.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Eagles and Patriots were tied at 14-14. But the Patriots were driving and took a 21-14 lead with 13:49 remaining in the game. Philadelphia’s offense struggled to get going in the second half, as New England head coach Bill Belichick made his late-game adjustments.
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The Patriots expanded their lead to 24-14 with 8:43 remaining, which seemed almost insurmountable at the time. However, the Eagles battled back to make it a one-possession game, scoring a touchdown to bring it to 24-21 with 1:55 remaining. Philadelphia’s defense came up with a huge stop, and the Eagles had a final chance.
While it seemed unlikely that the Eagles were going to get into field-goal range, McNabb and Philadelphia’s offense tried their best. They unfortunately fell short as McNabb’s final pass was intercepted by Patriots safety Rodney Harrison. It was a heartbreaking end to a magical run by the Eagles.
