Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

One of the greatest misfires in NFL history was the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles, at 10-6, not making the playoffs. The losses to Tampa Bay and New Orleans in October were the games that really hurt. 13 to 6 to the Saints at the Vet and 14 to 13 on the road at Tampa. The Eagles should have been 12-4 and a Wild Card entry.

After a four game losing streak in October, Philadelphia won six in a row. They treated the fans to some of the greatest sustained defensive play in NFL history. Then in December, the Dallas Cowboys came into town for their second meeting with the Eagles. Two months earlier, Philadelphia defeated Dallas 24 to 0. They sacked Troy Aikman 11 times for 60 yards in losses; blocked a pass that fell incomplete; intercepted three passes; and forced a fumble deep in their own territory late in the game for a signature shut out. Emmit Smith gained only 22 yards. Clyde Simmons on his own recorded four sacks.

That all changed in Week 13 at the Vet with Dallas. Steve Berline was at quarter back in place of the injured Troy Aikman. Philadelphia lost 25 to 13. Since the Cowboys were clearly the better team, I don't mean to complain about the loss. The losses to Saints and Bucs were the big sores. I still ask though "What happened to Eagles defense? They got no turnovers and only one sack for seven yards.

How good the defense would have been with Randall Cunningham at quarterback. The offense would have put more points and the board and chewed up more of the clock. The defense with less playing time might have stood out even more.

Not sure the Eagles' O would have been...'clock-chewers' with #12 at helm all thru '91, but yes putting up points which would have made it even easier for the already-Historic defense. Bud Carson could not have been a better replacement for Ryan!

Sadly, though, (and I've already opined this) no matter how many more wins the Birds would have put up with a 100% healthy Cunningham all season long, they would have been top wild card at very best and would not have been able to topple Washington no matter how far they would have gotten in those NFC playoffs. Perhaps no 'Too Legit' getting in. Or, given the suggested Eagles beating Big D again, maybe Cowboys don't make the playoffs because of it. And, maybe, that would have hindered Jimmy & Co in '92 given the no playoff-experience yet (I don't know, it probably wouldn't have mattered anyway; they still punch it in given how amazingly coached and talented they were - yep, they still win-it-all in '92).

Either way, Washington convincingly puts their Historic stamp on 1991 just the same, IMO. Instead of '92 being the 'best' Reggie Eagles season, maybe '91 instead for what it'd be worth. But still no Super Bowl just the same, sadly.

I get what you are saying, 74_75_78_79, but we really dont know if Cunningham had stayed healthy, what Philly could have done? Maybe the Skins still dominate, but with Dallas getting better, it would have been interesting down the stretch. The Cowboys needed that thrilling win against Atlanta to even make the playoffs but with Cunningham, the Eagles probably beat them that second time.

Looking back and not being alive for all the context back then it seems like Philly was a little quick to fire Buddy Ryan no? That was a really bad team that he took over in 1986, he builds them into a contender by 1988, and is fired 2 years later after a playoff loss. Was it not a bit greedy of Philly tov expect a Super Bowl that fast? 5 years? Its not as if they were losing and missing the playoffs so seems like Buddy had earned a shot to prove himself in 1991 with the Eagles. I'm sure there was a falling out with him and Eagles owners behind it all.

Then looking at how good the defense was WITHOUT his coaching in 1991, how good they were with a huge step backwards in Rich Kotite at head coach, I got to believe had they stuck together in 1991 AND Cunningham stays healthy that team is a problem for Washington.

Ryan got fired for losing three straight playoff games in their opening rounds. The owner wasnt a fan of his press conferences or tolerence for defending his players aggressive/borderline tactics during games. The Eagles were better in 1985 than his 1986 debut coaching season.

The team on offense basically lived or died with the play of Randall Cunningham, who never had much of an offensive line, or running game. He had talent with Mike Quick, but Quick was injury prone, while Cris Carter wasnt utilized enough before being released due to drug problems. Keith Jackson and later Keith Byars, were his only playmakers, till Williams and Barnett joined the team in 1990.