Philadelphia Eagles: Ranking the top 5 seasons of the Super Bowl era

4. 2002

2002 was supposed to be “The Year” for the Eagles. The previous season they had reached the NFC Championship Game, and entering the 2002 season, all things were pointing to a Super Bowl triumph.

Andy Reid was leading the team in his 4th year as the head coach. Donovan McNabb was becoming the best playmaking quarterback in the NFL, and with Duce Staley in the backfield, their offense was as steady as can be. The defense had one of the strongest secondaries in the league with Brian Dawkins, Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor. It seemed like all the right pieces were in place.

Coming off two consecutive 11-win seasons, the Eagles started the season strong winning three of their first four games. After a week 10 loss that put them at 6-3, they ran off six consecutive wins and ended up with a 12-4 record. Included in that 12-4 mark were three wins on Monday Night Football by an average margin of 21.7 points. They were making their statement around the league that they were on a mission.

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs they faced the Atlanta Falcons and playmaking quarterback Michael Vick. The Falcons didn’t muster much of a challenge losing, 20-6, at Veterans Stadium.

In the NFC Championship Game, the Eagles got the matchup they were hoping for against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles beat Tampa Bay in the previous two postseasons. They won, 21-3, in 2000 and 31-9 in 2001. Also, in Week 7 of the 2002 season, they beat Tampa by a score of 20-10. With three dominant victories, it appeared this game was over before it even started.

Sadly, the Eagles weren’t able to continue their recent success against Tampa Bay. The Bucs were able to shut down the Eagles offense and control the game in a 27-10 victory. To rub salt in the Eagles fans wounds, that was the last game played at “The Vet.” To this day, that is seen by many as the season that got away.