Eagles Playoff Losses in 01/03 had Roots in the Season

[LeonardRachiele]

01 NFC Title Game

At Veteran's Stadium in October the Eagles lost to the Arizona Cardinals. With under three minutes left in the game, the Eagles could not get a first down at the Cardinals' 8 on a third and one. Leading 17 to 14, a first down would have locked it. David Ackers kicked a field goal making the score 20 to 14. A few plays later, Jake Plummer hit David Boston with a 50 yard touchdown pass, making Troy Vincent the goat. If the Eagles had won, their 12-4 record would have meant a BYE week. Instead, they had to defeat both Tampa Bay and Chicago before the NFC

Championship Game at St. Louis.  Rams 29  Eagles 24.

03 NFC Title Game

Donovan's injured thumb and the injuries in the secondary to both Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor hurt in the first two games . This made scoring on Philadelphia much easier and limited McNabbs' options. After losing the first two weeks, the Eagles were 12-2 but both losses really hurt. At Dallas, Andy Reid attempted to cross up the Cowboys opening with an on side kick that immediately blew up in his face. Dallas 7 Eagles 0. Philadelphia lost the game 23 to 21 with a 25 yard field goal on the last play. Hosting San Francisco, David Akers missed two field goals attempts and the game went into overtime. Freddie Mitchell fell on a pass pattern, the 49ers intercepted, and kicked the winning field goal.  San Francisco 30 Philadelphia 27.

Before the final game at the Redskins, the Eagles had assured the BYE week but had to win to get the home advantage throughout the post season. It was easy, a 31 to 7 win, but costly since they lost Brian Westbrook. Had the Eagles beaten either the Cowboys or 49ers, they could have rested all starters and treated the game like an exhibition. Westbrook could not play in the post season.

The Green Bay Semifinal game was exciting with Donovan McNabbs' 4th and 26 completion to Freddie Mitchell; the tying field goal in regulation; and the winning one in overtime. However, the NFC Championship was one of the strangest games I have ever seen. Without Westbrook, Philadelphia could not get anything started. I felt the officials ignored eight Panther defensive holding, not pass interference, calls. This deprived the Eagles of eight first downs and 40 yards. During the second period Philadelphia was on a drive at the Panther 25. After a hand-off to Duce Staley, Donovan fell totally flat. He probably tripped over Duce Staley and was not down by contact.

The rules clearly state it is illegal to spear a player, especially if totally prostrate, when a touch will suffice. A Panther linebacker drove his helmet into McNabb like a pro wrestler right in front of the official. This should have been a personal foul half the distance penalty; an ejection; and a subsequent fine. The Eagles wound up with a field goal. Even had the official dropped a flag moving the Eagles to the 12, a touchdown was not a certainty. The Eagles were simply not moving the ball that game. Nevertheless, the offense would have had the ball for three more plays. The defense needed all the rest it could get. Final Panthers 14 Philadelphia 3.