The Eagles of the Late 80s and Early 90s Had Done Amazing Things On the Field.
Winning a Playoff Game Hadn’t Been One of Them.
For today’s Eagles faithful, it’s hard to envision a time when the Birds couldn’t maintain a top-10 NFL offense and hadn’t won a playoff game in over a decade. But that will be the long-standing legacy of Buddy Ryan and Rich Kotite in Philadelphia.
Unfortunately, a record-setting defense and quarterback complete with acrobatic excellence does nothing if you don’t win. And if you call your boss “the guy in France,” you’d better win.
Nearly 30 years ago, in Rich Kotite’s second season as Head Coach, the Eagles were in a wildcard game in New Orleans down on the Bayou. In 1988, the Eagles lost the Fog Bowl at Soldier Field in Chicago — a place that an NFL team from Philly hadn’t won since the Frankford Yellow Jackets beat the Bears in the final game of 1931. In 1989, the Eagles lost to Steve Everett and the LA Rams at home, and 1990 Body Bag Game #2 went to Washington.
With an 11–5 record, the Eagles were in the playoffs once again. The beginning of this one seemed to unfold just as in previous contests. Down 20–7 in the third quarter, Randall Cunningham connected with Fred Barnett on a 35-yard touchdown pass. A six-yard Heath Sherman rushing touchdown gave the Eagles the lead. That proceeded a Reggie White safety in the end zone on Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert.
Finally, an Eric Allen 18-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the deal.
The win would prove to be Kotite’s only one as Eagles Head Coach. The 1992 team would be Reggie White’s last as Eagles.
The following week, the Eagles would be throttled by the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys, 34–10. But even that couldn’t diminish the comeback at the Superdome.
PHOTO: ClutchPoints
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