If an Eagles fan hears “Philly Philly”, there’s only one moment in history they’ll think of for the remainder of their lifetime. Super Bowl LII.
Serving as the franchise’s only “big win” (for now), today marks the 5-year anniversary of the 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots. And, what better way to celebrate than a trip down memory lane.
2017-2018 SEASON
Coming off a 7-9 season with a new head coach and quarterback, the Eagles entered the 2017 season with a lot of momentum.
Despite losing in Week 2, Carson Wentz passed for 1,362 yards and ten touchdowns in his first five games, pulling ahead as an MVP candidate. In Week 7, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, leading Philadelphia to 10 wins in 11 matchups.
Heading into Week 14, the former first-round draft pick needed to lead the Eagles to one more win to secure the NFC East. Attempting to go for a touchdown, Wentz suffered a knee injury. He left the game early with 291 passing yards and four touchdowns. Despite his absence, the Eagles finished the game without their starting quarterback, but with a 43-35 win, clinching the division.
The following day, it was revealed that Wentz suffered a torn ACL and would miss the remainder of the season.
With one of the league’s top guys down, backup Nick Foles took over as quarterback, and Philadelphia’s “underdog mentality” was born.
In Foles’ first two starts, the Eagles were victorious, securing the first-round bye and home-field advantage for the playoffs. In the Divisional Round, they defeated the Atlanta Flacons, followed by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship, as they prepared for their first Super Bowl since 1960.
SUPER BOWL LII
On Sunday, February 4, 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles battled the New England Patriots in Minnesota. Leading 15-12, the Eagles were 4th-and-goal with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Nick Foles met with Doug Pederson on the sideline, asking the now infamous question, “You want Philly Philly?” And, from there, the most iconic play in Eagles’ history was made.
Making the touchdown to secure an even further lead, Nick Foles led the Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl win.
Eagles fans in Philadelphia flooded the city, coming together on Broad Street to celebrate the momentous occasion. Shades of green, Eagles chants, and fans climbing up poles became the epitome of “Brotherly Love” that year.
Three days later, the Eagles paraded down the same street to celebrate their win. Ending at the Art Museum, veteran Jason Kelce gave his fiery speech about the players being discredited and the team being doubted. Stating “Hungry dogs run faster”, Kelce led fans in Philadelphia’s “No one likes us” song, dressed as a mummer.
A HALF-DECADE REPEAT?
Now five years later, the Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for a repeat. With a new head coach and quarterback, Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts have led the Eagles through another victorious season — one still filled with doubts.
Finishing 14-3, the Eagles took the NFC East, clinched the bye, and won home-field advantage, just as they did in 2017. Defeating the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia is one week away from Super Bowl LVII.
As the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Eagles will meet the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs. And, despite having another winning season and being favored to win the big game, the Eagles still remain doubted.
But, as the saying goes — No one likes us, we don’t care.
