Inside the Iggles
FanSided

Philadelphia Eagles best moments of Andy Reid’s era

By Erin Grugan

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles argues a call with an official during the first half of the Eagles loss to the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on November 18, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles argues a call with an official during the first half of the Eagles loss to the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on November 18, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – JANUARY 23: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles is interviewed by Terry Bradshaw before receiving the George Halas NFC Championship trophy as his players Terrell Owens #81 and Brian Dawkins #20 stand next to him after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 23, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – JANUARY 23: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles is interviewed by Terry Bradshaw before receiving the George Halas NFC Championship trophy as his players Terrell Owens #81 and Brian Dawkins #20 stand next to him after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 23, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2004-05 NFC Championship

After a “the third time’s the charm” opportunity had come and passed, Reid and the 2004-2005 Eagles were set to play in their fourth-consecutive NFC Championship Game. On the evening of January 23rd of 2005, frigid sub-20-degree temperatures engulfed over 67,000 fans at Lincoln Financial Field as the Eagles were set to take on the Atlanta Falcons for the George Halas trophy that had eluded their grasp for decades.

The first half was a back-and-forth battle, but the Eagles lead by a 14-10 margin at halftime thanks to a four-yard rushing touchdown from Dorsey Levens and a three-yard touchdown pass from McNabb to tight end Chad Lewis.

Even with the passing and rushing prowess of then-Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick, the Falcons struggled to make an impact in the second half against a brick wall Eagles defense, led by Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins. The Philadelphia defense forced two punts and an interception from Atlanta in the third quarter, and with two more Akers field goals, the Eagles were up 20-10 with just one quarter between them and a Super Bowl berth.

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The stellar defense continued for the Birds, who sacked Vick for the fourth time in the game and ultimately forced a punt from the Falcons. With just over 10 minutes to play, the Eagles’ offense did their part, burning nearly eight minutes of game time with a single drive, culminating in another short touchdown pass from McNabb to Lewis to seal an Eagles victory.

With that, the Eagles won their first NFC Championship since 1981, and Reid was finally able to hoist the George Halas trophy he had gotten so close to raising before. The Eagles may not have gone on to win the Lombardi Trophy that season, but that night was one of the best moments in Eagles history.

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