ince the Super Bowl season of 2004, there have been too many close wins that should have been easier and losses that should have been wins. I am going to file down the Eagles misfires for each year. Winning would have put the Eagles in a better position in the playoffs; or had them in the payoffs instead of staying home.
2000-Veterans Stadium vs Washington Redskins. With the Eagles leading 14 to 7, Damon Moore intercepted a pass in Eagles territory then fumbled on the return. Eagles lost 17 to 14. Record should have been 12-4 not 11-5.
2001-Veterans Stadium vs. Arizona Cardinals. The Eagles had the ball third and one at the Cardinals' eight leading 17 to 14, late in the game The Cardinals stopped Duce Staley on third and one and the Eagles kicked a field goal. Jake Plummer burned the Eagles with a 50 yard touchdown pass to David Boston. If the Eagles had made the first down, the game would have been over. Eagles lost 21 to 20. Record should have been 12-4 not 11-5.
2003-Lincoln Field vs San Francisco 49ers . David Ackers missed two field goals in regulation and the Eagles lost, 30 to 27, in overtime. Losing meant Philadelphia, at Washington, had to beat the Redskins in the final game for the home field status through the playoffs. While winning 31 to 7, they lost Brian Westbrook for the playoffs. Had they beaten the 49ers, the Eagles would have had a "practice" game. Westbrook may have made a difference in the NFC Championship Game with Carolina.
2006-Lincoln Field vs. New York Giants In the fourth quarter, Brain Westbrook failed to make at first down one third and one. Eagles blew a 24 to 7 lead and lost 30 to 24 in overtime. Record should have been 11-5 not 10-6.
2007-Lincoln Field vs. New York Giants. The Eagles were leading tenuously at 10 to 9. Lito Shepard definitely looked like he recovered a fumble at the Eagles 30. New York retained possession and Eli Manning passed 30 yards for a touchdown to Plaxico Burress on the next play. Philadelphia lost 16 to 13. This denied the Eagles a place in the post season. Record should have been 9-7 not 8-8.
2008-Away vs Dallas Cowboys. Late in the fourth quarter the Eagles were leading Dallas 37 to 34. Deep in Dallas territory Westbrook and McNabb botched a hand-off. Eagles lost 41 to 37. Record should have been 10-5-1 not 9-6-1.
2009-Lincoln Field vs. Dallas Cowboys. Sheldon Brown intercepted a pass from Tony Romo and return it 63 yards to the Dallas 30. It was early in the fourth quarter and the Eagles led 13 to 10. There was a clipping penalty that nullified the return. An interception, for all intents, turned into a punt. Dallas 20 Philadelphia 16. Recorded was 11-5 should have been 12-4.
2010-Lincoln Field vs. the Washington Redskins. After scoring a touchdown narrowing the Eagles deficit to 17 to 12, the Eagles missed a two point conversion. Jeremy Maclin just missed a pass in the End Zone from the Washington 18 on the game's last play. Record should have been 11-5 not 10-6.
2011-Lincoln Field vs. New York Giants. Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles had a first and goal at the Giants two. A goal line stand held the Eagles to a field goal and a 16 to 14 led. This gave the Giants a lift and they won 29 to 16. Record was 8-8 should have been 9-7 and Philadelphia would have won the NFC East. The New York Giants won the Super Bowl with a 9-7 record. As hot as Philadelphia at the end, our team might have gone all the way instead
One Play for Each Year Hurt
Re: One Play for Each Year Hurt
That's not the only game the Giants could/should have lost that year. In Week 14, Dallas played the Giants at home on SNF. With about 2:30 left in the game, they were up 39-34, and they had the ball around their own 35 on third down (I think it was 3rd and 8, but I am not sure). Miles Austin broke open, but didn't go to the middle of the field, and Romo missed him.2011-Lincoln Field vs. New York Giants. Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles had a first and goal at the Giants two. A goal line stand held the Eagles to a field goal and a 16 to 14 led. This gave the Giants a lift and they won 29 to 16. Record was 8-8 should have been 9-7 and Philadelphia would have won the NFC East. The New York Giants won the Super Bowl with a 9-7 record. As hot as Philadelphia at the end, our team might have gone all the way instead
That loss (and a loss in the Philly game you talked about) would have left the Giants at 5-8. Then, the next week, Dallas beat Tampa, Philly beats the Jets, and the Giants lose to the Redskins, pretty much eliminating them.
In Week 16, Dallas and Philly played. Dallas would have been 9-5, and the Eagles would have been 7-7. Philly still beats them, but I think Dallas wraps up the East the next week against the Giants (I don't think that game is flexed in reality since both teams aren't playing for the division title. They may have flexed the KC@Den game because of playoff implications and Tebow in prime time instead).
So, in this world, the Giants finish 5-11 and out of the playoffs. Also, the Cowboys win the East, the Eagles finish with a winning record, and I think the Jets beat the Giants and the Fins to make the playoffs (and, they win a round before losing at New England).
In the NFC, GB ends up beating SF and the Pats to win their second straight world title.
As a result of the Giants not winning the SB, Tebow goes to Jacksonville instead of the Jets. Also, after the Giants collapse in 2012 following a 6-2 start, Tom Coughlin is fired, and Eli is traded. Since the Eagles went 4-12, Reid is still fired, and maybe he goes to NYG to replace Coughlin instead of going to KC.