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

2. 2004

In 2004, the Eagles were a team on a mission. They had lost in the NFC Championship for three consecutive years, including the last two at home. The most recent loss in 2003 was an embarrassing 14-3 loss to Carolina. It was obvious that Andy Reid and the Eagles needed to make a change.

They made a big change in the offseason by bringing in one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL, Terrell Owens. Owens was the knockout punch that the Eagles had been missing in years prior. He was the WR that Donovan McNabb had always wanted. With Owens, plus an emerging talent in Brian Westbrook, the Eagles had one of the most explosive offenses in all of football.

They were able to add Jevon Kearse to solidify their defensive line. The linebackers were led by an Eagles staple in Jeremiah Trotter. The secondary had future Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins leading a group of young and talented cornerbacks, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.

The kickstart that Owens provided was clear as the Eagles started the season 7-0 with an average margin of victory of 11.7 points. Week 9 was the only blip in the early-season radar. The Eagles lost to the Steelers and caused some waves of controversy when Owens and McNabb appeared to have a strong argument on the sidelines. That might have been some foreshadowing at the time for how the McNabb-Owens relationship would result.

The Eagles didn’t let that squabble get in the way of their winning as they won their next six games to get to a 13-1 record. The biggest news of the season, however, was in the Week 15 win against the Cowboys when Owens was injured getting tackled, causing a fractured fibula.

With the Eagles down their best offensive weapon heading into the playoffs, there was a lot of cause for concern. Although with the NFC’s best record, they were still favorites to make it to the Super Bowl. In the Divisional Round of the playoffs they faced off against the Minnesota Vikings. It didn’t seem that Owens was needed as they were able to win 27-14 in a game they never trailed.

For the NFC Championship Game, it was Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons who came into Lincoln Financial Field with the hopes of knocking off the Birds. The Eagles defense was able to hold Vick in check by sacking him four times and holding him to only 26 yards rushing. With the Eagles locking down Vick they were able to prevail, 27-10, to get Reid, McNabb and the rest of the team over the NFC Championship hump.

Waiting for them at Super Bowl XXXIX were the defending Super Bowl Champions, New England Patriots, led by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Heading into the game not many people were thinking that star WR Terrell Owens would be able to suit up. He, in fact, was able to play with a screw in his leg.

Even with Owens’ surprising recovery, nine receptions and 122 yards were not enough. Donovan McNabb threw for three touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions, much like Jaworski in the Eagles’ previous Super Bowl appearance. The turnovers and clock management issues by Reid and the offense proved that the Eagles didn’t have what they needed to beat the Patriots, losing 24-21.

The 2004 season was the only Super Bowl appearance by the Eagles during the Reid/McNabb era. They both would leave the team in the years to come after a few down seasons. The Eagles had to wait another 13 years for their next chance at Super Bowl glory.