Editing Philadelphia Eagles (section)

==== Andy Reid years (1999–2012) ====
{{See also|Andy Reid|Super Bowl XXXIX|Miracle at the New Meadowlands}}
[[File:Andy Reid 080805-F-9429S-131 crop.jpg|thumb|[[Andy Reid]], Eagles head coach from 1999 to 2012, led the Eagles to [[Super Bowl XXXIX]] against the [[New England Patriots]] in 2004.]]
[[File:Bdawk.jpg|thumb|[[Brian Dawkins]], Eagles safety from 1996 to 2008, was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2018]]
[[File:Donovan McNabb.jpg|thumb|[[Donovan McNabb]], Eagles quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and [[Andy Reid]]'s first draft selection as Eagles head coach in the [[1999 NFL draft]]]]
[[File:Brian Westbrook.jpg|thumb|[[Brian Westbrook]], Eagles Running Back from 2002 to 2009, and inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-20 |title=Brian Westbrook to be inducted into Eagles Hall of Fame vs. Giants |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2015/10/20/philadelphia-eagles-brian-westbrook-hof-induction-new-york-giants |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
[[File:Desean Jackson (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[DeSean Jackson]] played for the Eagles from 2008 to 2013 and then again from 2019 to 2020; his December 19, 2010, punt return against the [[New York Giants]], known as the [[Miracle at the New Meadowlands]], is considered one of the greatest plays in [[National Football League|NFL]] history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/the-greatest-play-in-nfl-history-is-0ap1000000158603|title=The greatest play in NFL history is ...|work=[[National Football League]]|date=April 9, 2013|access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref>]]
[[File:LeSean McCoy 2.jpg|thumb|[[LeSean McCoy]], Eagles running back from 2009 to 2014]]
The Eagles reemerged as a predominant NFL team under the leadership of new head coach [[Andy Reid]], who was hired away from the [[Green Bay Packers]], where he was the Packers' quarterback coach. Reid's first notable step was drafting [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] quarterback [[Donovan McNabb]] with the second overall pick in the [[1999 NFL draft]].<ref name="r345">{{cite news | last=Bonesteel | first=Matt | title=McNabb Holds His Own in First Start | newspaper=Washington Post | date=November 15, 1999 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1999/gamerep/week10/eagles15.htm | access-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref> The Eagles' awful [[1998 Philadelphia Eagles season|1998 season]] would have entitled the Eagles to first pick but it was awarded to the rebooted [[Cleveland Browns]]. Despite clearing the roster for new talent by releasing unpopular and aging veterans such as [[Ricky Watters]] and [[Irving Fryar]], Reid was still a virtual unknown before his arrival as head coach, and his appointment was met initially with skepticism among Philadelphia fans. The drafting of McNabb was unpopular with many Eagles fans, many of whom traveled to [[Madison Square Garden]] for the 1999 Draft and booed the selection, believing the Eagles instead should have selected [[Ricky Williams]], a [[Texas Longhorns football|University of Texas]] [[running back]] who had been named the 1998 [[Associated Press College Football Player of the Year|AP College Player of the Year]].

The [[1999 Philadelphia Eagles season|1999 season]] was largely a rebuilding year for the Eagles. The team, which routinely sells out its home games in Philadelphia, had two 1999 home games that failed to sell out, resulting in local [[Blackout (broadcasting)|TV blackouts]]. Another six home games in the 1999 season sold out only because several local small business owners bought the remaining unsold tickets to spare Philadelphia-area viewers a television blackout of the game.

The Week 5 home game at Veterans Stadium on October 10, 1999, against the [[Dallas Cowboys]] represented the last play of Cowboys wide receiver [[Michael Irvin]]'s career. In the game, Irvin was driven into the turf by Eagles safety [[Tim Hauck]], which left Irvin lying motionless. Some Eagles fans responded with applause, giving further rise to Philadelphia's reputation as unduly aggressive and hostile fans. Irvin was transported from the field by stretcher and then by ambulance to [[Thomas Jefferson University Hospital]]. Irvin, who was diagnosed with a potentially threatening [[Cervical vertebrae|cervical spine]] injury and forced to announce his NFL retirement after the injury, later said the Philadelphia fans were applauding his departure rather than his serious injury.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=David |title=Why Hall of Fame WR Michael Irvin has never criticized Philly fans for cheering career-ending injury |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2013/10/19/why-hall-of-fame-wr-michael-irvin-has-never-criticized-philly-fans-for-cheering-career-ending-injury/ |access-date=October 15, 2021 |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> The team finished the season with a record of 5–11.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 Philadelphia Eagles Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/1999.htm |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] }}</ref>

The [[2000 Philadelphia Eagles season|2000]] regular-season opener in [[Dallas]] on September 3 became known in NFL lore as the "[[Pickle Juice Game]]". Kickoff temperature in [[Texas Stadium]] was 109 degrees Fahrenheit and soared to nearly 120, making it the hottest game in league history, beating a previous record set in a 1997 Cowboys–Cardinals match in Arizona. The nickname came about because an Eagles trainer had prepared for the predicted heat by having the players drink the juice from jars of dill pickles in order to retain body moisture and stave off cramps and heat exhaustion. The experiment proved successful as the Eagles won 41–14 while multiple Cowboys players had been consigned to the bench, unable to handle the torrid climate while the Eagles had no players benched. The game was also significant as marking the beginning of Philadelphia's domination of the NFC East. The team finished the season at 11–5, reaching the [[2000–01 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] as a wild card, which restored fan optimism. After brushing aside the [[2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] 21–3, the [[2000 Philadelphia Eagles season|Eagles]] moved to the second round of the playoffs, only to lose 20–10 to the [[2000 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]. After compiling an 11–5 record in [[2001 Philadelphia Eagles season|2001]], the Eagles reached the [[2001–02 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] again, this time at the top of their division. In a near rerun of the previous year, they disposed of the [[2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Buccaneers]] in a 31–9 game. In the second round, the Eagles defeated the [[2001 Chicago Bears season|Bears]] 33–19 at [[Soldier Field]]. In the [[2001–02 NFL playoffs#NFC: St. Louis Rams 29, Philadelphia Eagles 24|NFC Championship game]], they were unable to stop the [[2001 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]], who defeated them 29–24.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Philadelphia Eagles at St. Louis Rams - January 27th, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201270ram.htm |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] }}</ref>

Despite injuries, McNabb led the Eagles to a 12–4 season in [[2002 Philadelphia Eagles season|2002]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Philadelphia Eagles Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/2002.htm |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] }}</ref> Once again, they reached the [[2002–03 NFL playoffs#NFC: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10|NFC Championship game]], but lost at home 27–10 to the eventual Super Bowl champion [[2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] in the last game at [[Veterans Stadium]].<ref name="i123">{{cite web | last=Sheridan | first=Phil | title=Loss to Bucs was Eagles' darkest day | website=ESPN.com | date=January 14, 2015 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/philadelphia-eagles/post/_/id/10055/loss-to-bucs-was-eagles-darkest-day | access-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref>

In the opening game of the [[2003 Philadelphia Eagles season|2003 season]], the Eagles were shut out 17–0 by the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] in the first regular-season game ever played at their new home, [[Lincoln Financial Field]]. Once again, the team went 12–4 for the season and then reached the conference championship game. In doing so, the Eagles became the first team in modern history to get that far in the postseason after having been shut out at home in its first game. They achieved that distinction despite getting only five touchdown receptions all year by their wide receivers, which tied the league-low since the regular-season schedule was lengthened to its present 16 games in 1978 (this record would be broken in 2004 when the [[2004 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]' wide receivers caught only two touchdown passes). The Eagle receivers went through both September and October without a TD catch; the last time an NFL team had done that was in 1945. In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Eagles beat the [[2003 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] 20–17 in overtime thanks in part to a late-game completion from McNabb to [[Freddie Mitchell]] on an iconic play that has come to be known as [[4th and 26]]. They lost the [[2003–04 NFL playoffs#NFC: Carolina Panthers 14, Philadelphia Eagles 3|NFC Championship game]] to the [[2003 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]] 14–3. Panthers cornerback [[Ricky Manning|Ricky Manning Jr.]] had three interceptions in the game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Panthers vs. Eagles – Game Recap – January 18, 2004 – ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=240118021|access-date=December 8, 2020|website=ESPN.com|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116151312/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=240118021}}</ref>

The Eagles actively pursued premier wide receiver [[Terrell Owens]], and acquired him in a controversial three-way deal with the [[Baltimore Ravens]] and the [[San Francisco 49ers]], on March 16, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2004 |title=Philly freedom: Owens will play for Eagles |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1760284 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press }}</ref> The [[2004 Philadelphia Eagles season|2004 season]] began with a bang as Owens caught three touchdown passes from McNabb in their season opener against the [[New York Giants]]. Owens ended up with exactly 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdown receptions, although his season ended prematurely with an ankle injury in a December 19 game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles' 12–7 victory in this game gave them home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs for the third year in a row. The Eagles tied a record by clinching the NFC East division crown (their fourth straight) after only their eleventh game of the season, matching the mark set by the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985 Chicago Bears]] and the [[1997 San Francisco 49ers season|1997 San Francisco 49ers]]. Their final two regular-season games thus rendered meaningless, the Eagles sat out most of their first-string players in these games and lost both, yet still finished the season with a 13–3 record. McNabb had his best season to date, passing for 3,875 yards and 31 touchdowns, with only eight interceptions. This made him the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 or more TD passes and fewer than 10 interceptions in a single regular season. They then began their playoff run with the Divisional round at home against the sixth-seeded [[Minnesota Vikings]]. The Eagles led from the start and never looked back, as McNabb led a very efficient passing attack (21 of 33 for 286 yards and 2 TDs), [[Brian Westbrook]] dominated on the ground with 70 rushing yards, and Freddie Mitchell performed very well on the receiving corps (5 receptions for 65 yards and a TD), as Philadelphia won 27–14, setting up their fourth-straight NFC Championship appearance. Facing the [[Atlanta Falcons]], McNabb threw for 180 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 32 yards. Westbrook rushed for 96 yards and caught five passes for 39. Winning the game 27–10, the Eagles advanced to [[Super Bowl XXXIX]], where they faced the [[2004 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]. Although McNabb threw 3 touchdown passes and 357 yards in the game, and the score was tied 14–14 going into the fourth quarter, the Patriots outscored the Eagles with ten straight points. McNabb completed a 30-yard touchdown pass, and the Eagles defense held the Patriots to a 3 and out, but a crucial interception with 46 seconds left sealed their fate, as the Patriots won 24–21.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXXIX - New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles - February 6th, 2005 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200502060nwe.htm |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] }}</ref>

The team took a step back in [[2005 Philadelphia Eagles season|2005]] with a 6–10 record, failing to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1999 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 Philadelphia Eagles Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/2005.htm |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] }}</ref> McNabb had played with a sports hernia and a broken thumb, starting 4–2 then losing three in a row, before he finally succumbed to injury and missed the rest of the season. For obnoxious behavior and a feud with McNabb, Owens was suspended after 7 games and was eventually cut.<ref name="q527">{{cite web | agency=Associated Press | title=Terrell Owens suspended for season | website=The Seattle Times | date=November 7, 2005 | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/terrell-owens-suspended-for-season/ | access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2006 |title=Headache remedy: Eagles release outspoken T.O. |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2368431 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press }}</ref>

In [[2006 Philadelphia Eagles season|2006]], the team lost McNabb 10 games in and went into turmoil. However, Westbrook stepped up, and the Eagles earned their fifth NFC East title under coach Reid, with a 10–6 record. They won the Wild Card game against the New York Giants, but lost in the Divisional Round to the [[New Orleans Saints]]. The [[2007 Philadelphia Eagles season|2007 season]] would end with the Eagles finishing 8–8 and failing to make the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. However, in [[2008 Philadelphia Eagles season|2008]], the team finished the season with a 9–6–1 record, making the playoffs with a wild card berth, The team upset the Minnesota Vikings in the first round, winning the game 26–14. The team then went on to defeat the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants 23–11 en route to their sixth [[NFC Championship Game]]. In the [[2008–09 NFL playoffs#NFC: Arizona Cardinals 32, Philadelphia Eagles 25|NFC Championship game]], the Eagles rallied from down 24–6 at halftime to up 25–24 in the fourth quarter, but they lost to the [[2008 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] by a score of 32–25 after quarterback [[Kurt Warner]] scored a touchdown with just under three minutes remaining in regulation.<ref name="x410">{{cite web | title=Cardinals edge Eagles 32-25 for NFC title | website=Florida Times-Union | date=January 19, 2009 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2009/01/19/cardinals-edge-eagles-32-25-for-nfc-title/15998379007/ | access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref>

Entering the [[2009 Philadelphia Eagles season|2009 season]], the Eagles signed quarterback [[Michael Vick]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4397938 |title=Vick, Eagles agree to 2-year deal |work=[[ESPN.com]] |date=August 14, 2009 |access-date=February 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907212340/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4397938 |archive-date=September 7, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 6, 2009, Andy Reid became only the fifth coach in NFL history to win 100 or more games with a single team in a single decade (the other four are [[Tom Landry]], [[Don Shula]], [[Tony Dungy]], and [[Bill Belichick]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4727113 |title=Eagles sign Reid through 2013 |work=[[ESPN.com]] |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=February 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729042052/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4727113 |archive-date=July 29, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> McNabb finally had a complete receiving corps, between first-round draft pick [[Jeremy Maclin]], DeSean Jackson's 1,000-yard season, and [[Brent Celek]] ranking among the top 5 tight ends in the league. Without Brian Dawkins, defensive end [[Trent Cole]] stepped up and became the dominant force on defense with 12 sacks, earning him his second trip to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. In 2009, the Eagles started 5–4, then won six straight. After a shutout by the Dallas Cowboys in week 17, the Eagles failed to secure a first-round bye, and with a record of 11–5, they were the NFC's sixth seed. In their [[2009–10 NFL playoffs#NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Philadelphia Eagles 14|January 2010 wild card game]], the Eagles played against their divisional foes for the second consecutive week, losing 34–14 to hand Dallas their first playoff win since [[1996–97 NFL playoffs#NFC: Dallas Cowboys 40, Minnesota Vikings 15|December 1996]].

On January 11, 2010, General Manager [[Tom Heckert, Jr.]] was hired away by the Cleveland Browns; he was replaced by [[Howie Roseman]], who was promoted from Vice President of Player Personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2010 |title=Eagles promote Roseman to general manager |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4869091 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press }}</ref> On March 5, 2010, Brian Westbrook was cut from the Eagles after eight seasons with the team. On April 4, 2010, the team traded long-time starting quarterback Donovan McNabb to the [[Washington Redskins]] in exchange for a second-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/04/AR2010040403253.html?hpid=artslot |title=Washington Redskins acquire quarterback Donovan McNabb from Philadelphia Eagles |last=Maese |first=Rick |date=April 5, 2010 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629025444/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/04/AR2010040403253.html?hpid=artslot |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kevin Kolb]] was immediately named the starter for the [[2010 Philadelphia Eagles season|2010 season]], but after suffering a concussion in week 1 against the Packers, Vick took over as the starter. Week 4 saw the return of McNabb to Philadelphia. The Redskins got a touchdown early in the first quarter. After that, both offenses sputtered, and the Eagles had to settle for two field goals. But things rapidly fell apart when Vick injured his ribs and chest late in the first quarter when two Redskins defensive backs crushed him from both sides while running near the end zone. Kolb was once again brought out to play but delivered an uninspiring performance. He managed a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough. A two-point conversion attempt after the touchdown failed, and Washington won 16–12. In Week 15, the Eagles beat the New York Giants in a stunning upset by overcoming a 21-point deficit in the second half. In the closing seconds of the game, [[DeSean Jackson]] returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown to win 38–31. This became known as the [[Miracle at the New Meadowlands]].<ref name="p407">{{cite web | title=Miracle at the New Meadowlands sinks Giants | website=NBC Sports | date=December 19, 2010 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/miracle-at-the-new-meadowlands-sinks-giants | access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref> Vick led the Eagles to their sixth NFC East division title in ten seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 Philadelphia Eagles Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/2010.htm |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] }}</ref> With a record of 10–6, the Eagles clinched the third seed.<ref name="o518">{{cite web | title=Sloppy Eagles Upset By Vikings, Locked Into #3 Seed | website=Bleeding Green Nation | date=December 28, 2010 | url=https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2010/12/28/1901526/sloppy-eagles-upset-by-vikings-locked-into-3-seed | access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref> In the [[2010–11 NFL playoffs|wild card round]], the Eagles lost 21–16 to the eventual [[Super Bowl XLV]] champion Green Bay Packers.<ref name="l095">{{cite web | title=Green Bay eliminates Michael Vick, Philadelphia | website=Florida Times-Union | date=January 10, 2011 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2011/01/10/packers-oust-eagles/15918777007/ | access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref>

The [[2011 Philadelphia Eagles season|2011 season]] for the Eagles was a major disappointment. The off-season was marred by a lockout that began in March after the NFL's collective bargaining agreement expired, making practices, trades, and free agency impossible. During the draft, the Eagles did comparatively little. After the lockout ended in July, the team embarked on a rash of high-profile FA signings, including Raiders CB [[Nnamdi Asomugha]], Dolphins RB [[Ronnie Brown]], Giants WR [[Steve Smith (wide receiver, born 1985)|Steve Smith]], Packers TE [[Donald Lee (American football)|Donald Lee]], Titans DE [[Jason Babin]], and Packers DT [[Cullen Jenkins]]. Meanwhile, Kevin Kolb, displeased at losing the starting quarterback job to Michael Vick in 2010, was traded to Arizona for [[Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie]]. Replacing him as 2nd-stringer was ex-Titans quarterback [[Vince Young]]. Young created a lot of hype by calling Philadelphia the "Dream Team".<ref name="x988">{{cite web | title=Vince Young declares the Eagles to be a "Dream Team" | website=NBC Sports | date=July 30, 2011 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/vince-young-declares-the-eagles-to-be-a-dream-team | access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref> The team managed to finish only 8–8 and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Philadelphia Eagles Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/2011.htm |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] }}</ref>

In [[2012 Philadelphia Eagles season|2012]], the Eagles started off winning three of their first four games but lost their next eight, which eliminated them from the playoff hunt. They won only one of their last four games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Philadelphia Eagles Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/2012.htm |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] }}</ref> After a loss to the New York Giants on December 30, 2012, head coach Andy Reid was fired after fourteen seasons with the team.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/eagles/2012/12/30/andy-reid-fired/1799319/ |title=Eagles fire Reid |first=Mike |last=Garafolo | date=December 30, 2012 |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=December 30, 2012 |location=Philadelphia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601152414/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/eagles/2012/12/30/andy-reid-fired/1799319/ |archive-date=June 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>