**It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia walking into the bar voice** Ayo!

After having a Terrell Owens-themed poll for last week’s watch party, we’re going to do something similarly and have a 2001-centric viewing this Friday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

As a reminder:

The website we used to watch old games on YouTube is called Watch2Gether, where we can all do a live-running text thread discussing the game as the video plays. While there are a ton of old Birds games available to watch on YouTube, a lot of them are copyright-protected, meaning that we won’t be able to view them through Watch2Gether.

2001 is an important year for both Eagles history and my fandom. It’s the first year I have concrete memories as an Eagles fan at the tender age of seven. I learned a hallmark of being an Eagles fan early: unbelievable hype and promise that ends in agonizing defeat. As I cried and begged my parents to let me take the day off from school after the NFC Championship Game loss against the Rams in St. Louis, I had a trial by fire that welcomed me into this twisted, exciting and devastating world where the Eagles were all consuming.

As for the Eagles franchise overall, 2001 marked the team’s first NFC East title since 1988. It was the first season that they beat the hated New York Giants during the Andy Reid era after losing to them three times (including the playoffs) the previous season. They reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1980, kicking off a four-year streak of NFC title game appearances. It may be odd to say that this Eagles team was a juggernaut given that they didn’t even get a bye in the playoffs, but they finished first overall in DVOA and first, specifically, in both defensive and special teams DVOA (they were 12th on offense).

2001 was the dawn of a new era of Eagles football, as the Birds have reigned as the division’s premier team ever since. Let’s celebrate this season by picking from the next three choices:

2001 Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings

Before there was 38-7, there was 48-17, as the Eagles piled up on the ol’ Minnesotans for a 31-point victory at home. The Birds dominated the Vikings on the ground totaling 272 rushing yards and three rushing tuddies, one from each of Donovan McNabb (37 yards), Correll Buckhalter (66 yards) and Duce Staley (146 yards). Hugh “Turbo Bird” Douglas led Jim Johnson’s defense with 2.5 sacks as well.

2001 Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys

How ‘bout dem Cowboys?!? Dallas finished in last place in the NFC East with a 5-11 record in 2001, as the Eagles exercised some sweet revenge for the Cowboys’ success throughout the previous decade. After a 50-yard interception return from Jeremiah Trotter on the last play of the first half to take a 20-0 lead down in Texas, the Birds never looked back. I know we watched a Cowboys game last week, but you can you really ever get enough of the Eagles beating up on Dallas?

2001 Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs

Behind a clutch three-field goal performance from David Akers plus a pair of sacks from second-year defensive tackle Corey Simon, the Birds went on the road and pulled off a 23-10 win on Thursday Night Football. Duce was a beast once again (he was so underrated), finished with 146 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown.

Come along for the fun!