Flashback Friday: Eagles versus Packers, the 4th and 26 game
If you need something to feed your fix for football and the Eagles, here’s something that should do the trick.
Picture it. It was 2003, and the NFL Playoffs had reached the divisional round. The top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles were set to do battle against the Green Bay Packers in a game that had everything. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre had just lost his father less than one month earlier, and one day after that loss, Favre honored his memory by going out and shredding the Oakland Raiders for 399 yards and four touchdowns.
That moment helped spearhead a magical run by the Packers that had many labeling them as a team of destiny. As fate would have it, if their run was to continue, they were going to have to travel to Lincoln Financial Field and face Favre’s former quarterbacks coach, Andy Reid.
Reid’s new understudy:
Reid had been hired by the Eagles on January 11, 1999, and he had a new quarterback to mentor, Donovan McNabb. The Eagles, who had been reading the Packers’ headlines like everyone else, were tired of hearing how Favre and company were a team of destiny. They had a question they wanted everyone else to answer. “What about us”?
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Unfortunately, things didn’t begin as planned. Philly would fall in a 14-0 hole early. Things didn’t go right for most of the afternoon. McNabb’s arms and legs would keep his team in it, but the game remained in doubt late in the fourth quarter. The Eagles had to convert a long fourth down to keep the game going. What followed was a moment that would forever etch this game into the minds of every Eagles fan as the “4th and 26” game.
Take a look at one of the greatest games in Eagles history in its’ entirety. The video is provided by the NFL’s official YouTube Channel. Check it out by clicking here.
Conclusion:
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In the words of the great Merrill Reese, it appeared destiny had a new darling. Well, for one week anyway. The Eagles would lose the next game to the Carolina Panthers, but the “4th and 26” game will live on forever. It encapsulates why we love McNabb (well, some of us). It had all of the drama of a great film. There were heroics by one of the most beloved Eagles in history, Brian Dawkins.
“4th and 26” will live on forever in the minds of Eagles fans, especially the ones who saw it live. It’s a game that reminds us why we love football. It’s a great way to escape the sadness of a month without the game we love.
Training camp begins on July 24th. We’ll all be paying attention when it does. In the meantime, let the memories of the “4th and 26” game tide you over. It’s our pick for this edition of “Flashback Friday”.