Eagles finally soar
Eagles do history.
Eagles finally soar
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
It happened.
This, though, was bigger.
We all know it now: the Bucs lost and the Bears lost and then the Eagles went out and dismantled the Cowboys, 44-6. With that, the Eagles earned the final NFC wildcard with a 9-6-1 record and a first-round playoff game at Minnesota.
Yes, this was bigger.
That day was a triumph of still-young satellite television technology, and some ingenuity. Texas Stadium had a satellite TV system so we knew in the press box that the Giants were falling apart at the end -- it was the only NFL stadium where that was possible. But then, through a telephone messenger system from the press box to the field, the Eagles' bench was kept apprised as the whole fortunate business unfolded.
This was so different, yet similar. Fans in the stadium crowded around concourse televisions to cheer on the Raiders over the Bucs. And then, handed their destiny for the second time in two weeks thanks to the collapsing Bucs, the Eagles held on to it this time, absolutely pulverizing the Cowboys in a game where the winner would go to the playoffs and the loser would go home. Their domination was total.
It was the game a disgruntled Eagles fan base has been waiting for all season, delivered at the last possible moment. It was a day that fans of this team will talk about for years. The Eagles were about a 10-1 shot at the start of the day, a 10-1 shot to make it, no better -- and it happened.
Interesting perspective ScarletPhever. And I think "spot on" to boot! Da Birds!— dksurf- When we click and fire on all cylinders, we can play and defeat the best (Pittsburg, Dallas, Giants, Atlanta, etc.). The improbable happened - two weeks in a row the football powers that be, put our fate in our own hands. Seeing as how so many people today had no idea what it would take for the Birds to get it (even though it is all over the net), maybe they didn't realize how easy they could have made it on themselves if they won last week. Go Eagles! There is something about Tampa and Philly this year...
- It's a great win, and an exciting day, but for heaven's sake this doesn't erase horrible games by the QB and the coach against the Bears, Skins (X2) and Bengals. You folks who have drunk the koolaid -- did you not notice pass after pass after pass after pass after pass thrown into the ground 3 feet in front of the receiver last week? Of course all Eagles fans are enjoying this and will continue to enjoy it, but remember that incompetent coaching and poor QB play put the team in the position of needing the Raiders and Texans to win.— PhightinPhan
- Shut up, PhightinPhan...not tonight.— dksurf
- I hope McNabb proves me wrong. Go Eagles— JamesJ
- dksurf, sorry to crash your personal message board. Now put on your #5 jersey, get ready for a 2nd-round loss to the Giants, and make Sunday afternoon plans for the next couple of years, becaus eyou won't be watching Eagles playoff football with these two running the show.— PhightinPhan
- I am stunned. Who can figure this team out? After losing to the Redskins without scoring a touchdown last week, I said to myself, "Stick a fork in the Birds, they're done." Today, I my wife and I took a drive to visit some friends with the thought, who cares about the Eagles and Cowboys. I thought even if they found a way to beat Dallas, they're not going to make the playoffs. No way are the Raiders going to beat the Bucs in Tampa. And, what about the Bears and Houston. The odds were a long shot at the very best. I hear it was something like 10 to 1. So off I go with my wife and we enjoy a wonderful Sunday afternoon with friends. I come home and discover that the Eagles have wailed the tar out of the Cowboys 44-6. UNBELIEVEABLE!!! And, both the Bucs and the Bears have gone down to defeat. UNBELIEVEABLE!!! How can we lose to the Redskins (they lost to the 49ers today) and then against all odds not only win the game but clobber the Cowboys. I should take more Sunday afternoon drives with my wife. We are in the playoffs!! Impossible. Not at all. Bring on the Vikings— CR Mahler
- How happy are the girls at Delilah's right now?— Gas Man
- Come on now, the critism of Reid was fair. None of you here can deny AR's playcalling and game management through most of this season was poor to say the least. The Eagles win today does not change what happened earlier in the season and had Reid stuck to a more balanced approach on offensive, the Eagles would have had at least 11 wins and today would have not mattered.— camtheman
- PENN STATE IN ROSE BOWL----EAGLES IN PLAYOFFS---GONNA BE A GREAT WEEK!!!!— PhillyNittanyLion
- Donovan finally performed well in a big game.— foreclosure11
- Congrats EAGLES!!! "Negadelphia" lol Don't be negative, think positive and support your hometown team. I know, I know...you've seen it before and you know how the story ends. But when a team fights that hard for it's fans we owe it to them to stand behind them and believe. Besides, negativity make you ugly. haha GO BIRDS! kannon. wired ride home.— KannonWired965
- The moron that said where are all the hater's are now, we are not hater's we are tired of loosing! Having a Coach that wants to pass all the time instead of run. So he gave in to poplual demand and ran Buck who has proven he is a decent runner and the they won today! But honestly do you belevie that the Boy's show up to play today? So please get real!— losteagle
Enjoy this Philly fans. Perhaps the curse is broken and the floodgates are open. Everything fell in place against all odds and the Eagles came out and delivered. Eagles can definitely win in Minnesota, and they've already won in NY. Phillies, Eagles and Flyers championships this year! Never say never!- How about those Towel Boys.....LOL!!!!!!!— Ben Laughin215
