The Philadelphia Eagles have often made the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs feel like home, particularly during Jeffrey Lurie's ownership tenure. They belong there. They've launched themselves to the NFC Championship Game and offered more memories than we can count.
No one gets to an NFCCG without winning during the second round. It isn't the easiest task to achieve. That shows what a model franchise this organization has become under Lurie's watch. It also speaks volumes about how blessed fans are to root for this team.
We ranked every Wild Card game the Eagles have played. It's time we do the same for their Divisional Round appearances. It was a difficult task, not as difficult as winning, but we have a list you're certain to approve of.
15. January 10, 1993: Cowboys 34, Eagles 10
Even though Buddy Ryan was no longer the coach, it was still heartwarming to see his core players get the proverbial monkey off of their back and snag that elusive playoff Wild Card Round victory. They took care of business vs. the New Orleans during the Wild Card Round to do so. It was a different case during the Divisional Round.
Philly was steamrolled by the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys. They wouldn't find the end zone until the 4th quarter, but the game was well out of reach long before then. This one truly hurts because the Eagles got outclassed by the Dallas Cowboys.
Oh, and this was Reggie White's swan song in an Eagles uniform again.
14. January 7, 1996: Cowboys 30, Eagles 11
Take two. As was the case in 1992, Dallas again crushed Philly on their way to a Super Bowl win. How brutal! This time, the thud was louder as the Eagles had just dropped 58 points on the Detroit Lions. Talk about 'riding high'.
This one came a few weeks after the Birds had stopped Dallas during a game where Emmett Smith was stopped on 4th and 1 twice.
There was a 'team of destiny' feel. It wasn't to be. Starting quarterback Rodney Peete would be knocked out of this game early on. Normally, that would spell doom, but the Eagles had Randall Cunningham and asked if he could save the day. Sadly, he couldn't.
This game doubles as Cunningham's last game as an Eagle. It also birthed a Divisional Round drought that lasted for five years.
13. December 29, 1979: Buccaneers 24, Eagles 17
After a first-round exit during the 1978 playoffs, their first postseason game in almost two decades, the Eagles seemed like a team on a mission. Unfortunately, they ran into a Tampa Bay Buccaneers ballclub that was on a mission of its own.
The Bucs weren't too far removed from losing 26 straight games to begin their NFL journey. They and running back Ricky Bell would be too much for the Eagles to handle in this one.
12. January 7, 2001: Giants 20, Eagles 10
It's always a tough pill to swallow when you lose a division rival, especially when that rival is the hated New York Giants. This was an excruciating affair to watch from start to finish.
Still, there are silver linings. The 2000 Eagles were WAY ahead of schedule. Appearing in a Divisional Round Game excited fans about what was to come, but as soon as Giants kick returner Ron Dixon returned the opening kickoff to the house, the wind was taken out of Philly's sails.
An acrobatic pick-six by Jason Seahorn was one of the highlights of a game where Donovan McNabb and his Eagles teammates couldn't get anything going.
11. January 13, 2007: Saints 27, Eagles 24
This game will forever be remembered for Sheldon Brown de-cleating Reggie Bush on the game's opening drive, but unfortunately that's where the positives end. The Jeff Garcia season was tons of fun, but it was bound to come to a halt eventually. Still, the Eagles had a chance to win this game, and played well, which made it a hard result to accept.
10. January 13, 2019: Saints 20, Eagles 14
How about another trip to the Big Easy? This one didn't produce the desired result. Playing as the defending Super Bowl champions for the first time in franchise history. Nick Foles' playoff magic ran out, and he played his final game as an Eagle. There were highlights though. Cre'Von LeBlanc gave Philly some early momentum by picking off Drew Brees.
Everyone knows where they were during this one and how they felt when Foles' final pass with the organization sailed through Alshon Jeffrey's hands. Curse you, Marshon Lattimore!
This one was brutal and remains one of the biggest 'what ifs' in Eagles' history.
9. December 31, 1998: Bears 20, Eagles 12
"The Fog Bowl"... Played on New Year's Eve, 1988... The name says it all. Fog rolled in off of Lake Michigan for the second half of this playoff game and made it nearly impossible for players, coaches, fans, or television viewers to see anything. We still can't understand why play was delayed.
Rather amazingly, Randall Cunningham ended this day having thrown for 407 yards, but he also threw three interceptions. This one is frustrating because the weather may have robbed this era's best Eagles team of an opportunity to make a Super Bowl run.
Sheesh! Can we finally talk about the wins now?
8. January 3, 1981: Eagles 31, Vikings 16
The 1980 Eagles finally got over the playoff hump after two years of playoff letdowns. They'd make it to Super Bowl XV, their first in team history, but this is the game that helped get the run started.
Philly forced eight Vikings turnovers and advanced to the first NFC Championship Game in franchise history. A win over the Cowboys, one of the greatest non-championship-winning triumphs in franchise history came a week later, but that's another story for another time.
7. January 11, 2003: Eagles 20, Falcons 6
The 2002 season was the Eagles final at Veterans Stadium. We all know how things ended, but we had fun up until that point. This win was Philly's final at The Vet.
The Eagles were arguably the best team in football that year, but broken bones in McNabb's leg helped stall things. Even when he returned, he never looked completely healthy or like his old self.
This one was highlighted by a QB duel featuring Donovan and Michael Vick. A pick-six, by Bobby Taylor, Brian Dawkins' knockout shot on Vick, and James Thrash's catch and TD run were the only major highlights in this one. Hey... A win is a win though.
6. January 16, 2005: Eagles 27, Vikings 14
This game gets lost in the shuffle. Maybe that's because we all knew it was almost a foregone conclusion the Eagles would win. Maybe it's because we all knew Philly would win and retrurn to another NFC Championship Game, one they won snapping three straight losses.
The early 2000s Eagles were great. The 2004-05 squad was different and on another level. The hyped quarterback duel between McNabb vs. Daunte Culpepper didn't spark any fireworks, but it was nice to see a maligned receiving corps missing Terrell Owens step up in T.O.'s absence.
The "memorable" plays... Jermiah Trotter Jr. intercepted a pass and enjoyed a nice return, and L.J. Smith coughed up the ball (but, it ended in the hands of wide receiver Freddie Mitchell in the end zone).
5. January 13, 2018: Eagles 15, Falcons 10
This one was a nail-biter, but it is remembered for ricocheted receptions and being the game that began Philly's Super Bowl run. An incomplete pass attempt by Matt Ryan intended for Julio Jones sealed the deal in this one.
As Jalen 'The Green Goblin' Mills ran out of the end zone when victory was assured, we all ran around Lincoln Financial Field and whatever setting we watched the game in. Yes, this is certainly worthy of its due.
4. January 19, 2002: Eagles 33, Bears 19
This game showed us Andy Reid's Eagles had arrived as a contender. While the 2000 team was ahead of schedule, nobody expected the 2001 team to advance to the NFC Championship Game, but that's just what they did!
McNabb returned home to the Windy City and upset the 13-3 Chicago Bears. He was remarkable in his return, dunked the football over the goalpost, and proved to everyone how great he could (and would) wind up being.
3. January 11, 2009: Eagles 23, Giants 11
After conquering the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLI, Eli Manning and the Giants followed that performance with an NFC East title and first-round bye. Meanwhile, the Eagles walked through a roller-coaster season... but also a magical one.
Paths crossed during the playoffs after Philly got some help from the Oakland Raiders of all teams (the Birds also dominated the Cowboys by a 44-6 score during the regular-season finale). Philly's monster effort ended New York's quest to defend its title.
2. January 29, 2023: Eagles 38, Giants 7
The only thing better than beating the Giants in a Divisional Round Game is destroying them during another. This one didn't surprise us. We knew Philly would win. We knew they would represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVII. This was just icing on the cake.
Speaking of icing on the cake, how about James Bradberry picking off his former team during the festivities?
1. January 11, 2004: Eagles 20, Packers 17
It will be hard for this one to be topped. One play in particular seals the deal. Just say the words '4th and 26', and EVERYONE knows what you are talking about.
The 2003 Eagles constantly felt like their backs were against the wall, and this play was a microcosm of all of that. With the season on the line, McNabb connected with 'First-Down' Freddie Mitchell to move the chains.
David Akers would kick a field goal to send the game to overtime. Brian Dawkins would intercept a pass intended for Brett Favre. Another Akers field goal in overtime assured Philly would host another NFC Championship Game at The Linc.
Here's to more great games being added to this list. Life has been pretty awesome as an Eagles fan.