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What's the Greatest Play in Eagles History


I'm sure I am not the only person feeling down about the state of the Eagles right now. The 2021 team is definitely looking bleak but I'm cautiously optimistic about the future of the team given that we potentially have three first round picks coming up in the next draft. With that said, I did get pretty upset about the loss to the Bucs tonight because I wanted to beat Brady's ass one more time but we won when it counted most so whatever. I'm a little bit drunk right now so I decided to go on a little nostalgia trip and watch some Eagles highlights which had me wondering: what's the greatest play in Eagles history?

In my opinion, the greatest play in Eagles history has to come from the Super Bowl victory so I will split it into a Super Bowl greatest play and non-Super Bowl greatest play.

Super Bowl greatest play:

  1. Philly Special: The Philly special is probably the most famous play in Philadelphia Eagles history. It also is right up there with the gutsiest calls in Super Bowl history so it gets points added for that. It's also cool knowing that Foles called his own shot for the play and, if it failed, the Eagles probably lose and Doug looks like an idiot. Big Balls Doug really showed out on this one and it makes it even better that Brady dropped a pass earlier in the game.
  2. Alshon catch: Alshon's touchdown grab over Eric Rowe is one of the most underrated catches in Super Bowl history. I mean, he absolutely Moss'd him. There were a lot of great plays in the Super Bowl, but I feel this one is the most underappreciated out of all the great plays, maybe because it was so early in the game. I would argue, however, that is the greatest catch in Eagles history given the difficulty and importance of it. I know the Alshon situation in Philly ended badly, but he will always be a legend for that catch.
  3. Brandon Graham strip sack: In my opinion, this is the greatest play in Philadelphia Eagles history without a doubt. This is the play that won us the Super Bowl. When Brady had the ball with two minutes left in the game, I don't think there were any Eagles fans that thought we had a chance at winning the game and then BOOM. Graham strip sacks Brady out of nowhere and the Eagles get the ball in Patriots territory. This play brought tears to my eyes and will always be the Eagles play that I most remember. That's when I realized that we had really did it.
Non-Super Bowl greatest play:
  1. Chuck Bedarnik tackle to seal NFL Championship: This play happened in 1960 but it's definitely still one of the most iconic plays in Eagles history. It also secured the Eagles their last championship before winning the Super Bowl and handed Lombardi his only playoff loss so you've gotta give credit to Concrete Charlie here.
  2. Miracle at the Meadowlands 1/2: I put these two together but they are definitely great plays in their own right. Both miracle finishes and an added bonus that we got to beat the Giants in both games. I would personally rate Miracle at the Meadowlands 2 as better just because the whole comeback was crazy and Desean's return was really just the cherry on top. That game is probably the regular season game that I have the most distinct memory of watching and is one of the greatest football games I have ever seen.
  3. 4th and 26: Gotta give credit to McNabb and Freddie Mitchell for coming up with this clutch conversion in crunch time and ultimately beating the Packers in a playoff game. It's definitely one of the most exciting moments in Eagles history and if the season ended with a Super Bowl victory I think it would be the most iconic play in Eagles history.
  4. P-Rob Pick 6 and Elliot 61 yarder: I branched both of these together because you can make an argument that the Eagles don't win the Super Bowl without either of these plays happening. People forget the Eagles were losing to the Vikings 7-0 before that interception and the season also could have gone differently if we fall to 1-2 against the Giants and never get that momentum. Another honorable mention to the flea flicker in the NFC Championship but that kind of happened in garbage time so I wouldn't put it as a top play.
  5. Mike Quick 99-yard reception: Gotta include it since it's the longest play in Eagles history, especially considering it was a walk off touchdown. Quick is honestly a criminally underrated player for the Eagles and this is a criminally underrated play. Neither Quick nor this play get talked about enough.
  6. Randall Cunningham punt: Gotta include one of the longest punts in Eagles history on here, especially when it was done by the team's quarterback. Hell of an athlete, even if it was a lucky bounce.
  7. Sheldon Brown on Bush, Dawkins hit on Crumpler, Bedarnik hit on Gifford: All vicious hits and could see them being considered the best plays if that's what you value.
Personally, my all-time greatest play is Graham's strip sack and after that, I would probably have to go with Desean's return against the Giants. I know I probably missed a few great plays in Eagles history so let me know in the comments some of the great plays I missed so I can reminisce over the highlights.

Let me know: What's your favorite Super Bowl and non-Super Bowl play in Eagles history?