Flashback Friday: The Philadelphia Eagles take over Los Angeles

After a nail-biting finish the week before, the Philadelphia Eagles were hoping for some smooth sailing. The Chargers had something else in mind.

When the 2017 season began, the Philadelphia Eagles were predicted by many to finish with a 500 record or better. That would have surpassed their record from the previous season, when they went 7-9. There weren’t many who were expecting a 13-3 regular season record.

In order to win 13 games, there’s, normally, going to have to be a nice streak in there, and in 2017. that was definitely the case for the Eagles. During their magnificent regular season, the team won nine straight games. That ties a franchise record for the longest streak in team history.

Here’s a closer look at the nine-game streak.

Nine straight wins helped the Philadelphia finish with a 13-3 record, good enough to make them division leaders. The Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots. We probably shouldn’t have been surprised.

Let’s take a look back at when the streak started for the 2017 Eagles.

After starting the season off with a 2-1 record, the Birds were looking to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers in week four. The Chargers, on the other hand, were just trying to get their first win of the season.

The Eagles get off to a fast start.

Philadelphia set the tone early. They put points up on the board first when Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz found receiver Alshon Jeffery for an eight-yard passing touchdown.

The Eagles built the lead to 13 after back to back Jake Elliot field goals (from 45 and 40). Clearly, the rookie was confident after his game winning, 61-yard field goal from the prior week.

The Chargers finally get going, but Jake Elliot continues to go off.

Los Angeles finally got on the board in the second quarter with a 75-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers to receiver Tyrell Williams. The Eagles still led 13-7.

Philadelphia’s kicker was on a roll in Week 4, and his confidence was continuing to build. After Rivers’ touchdown pass, Elliot stretched Philly’s lead to 16-7 thanks to a 53-yard field goal. Elliot finished the day with four made field goals and two successful extra points, 14 of Philly’s 26 points.

Another close one for the Birds…

The Eagles never trailed in the ball game, and their fans turned L.A.’s StubHub Center into a west coast version of Lincoln Financial Field. The Chargers had the pro-Eagles crowd on the edge of their seats when they cut the deficit to two points after Rivers found tight end Hunter Henry for another score. The Eagles still led 26-24 with 6:44 remaining, but there was plenty of time for the Chargers to battle back.

Luckily, the Eagles put together a 13 play, 59-yard drive that evaporated the clock on their next possession, the game’s final possession.

‘The Birds’ prevailed and escape another nail-biter. The win stretched their record to 3-1, and Philly was on their way to that nine-game winning streak.

Here are some highlights from the game.

Video courtesy of the NFL’s official YouTube page

Here are the stats, for those of you who like numbers.

Philadelphia

Passing: Carson Wentz (QB): 17-31, 242 YDS, 1 TD

Rushing: LeGarrette Blount (RB): 16 CAR, 136 YDS

Receiving: Zach Ertz (TE): 5 REC, 81 YDS

Kicking: Jake Elliot (K): 4 FG, 2 XP

Los Angeles

Passing: Philip Rivers (QB): 22-38, 347 YDS, 2 TD

Rushing: Austin Ekeler (RB): 1 CAR, 35 YDS, 1 TD

Receiving: Keenan Allen (WR): 5 REC, 138 YDS

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