The holiday season is upon us, Eagles fans, as Tuesday evening at sundown marked the beginning of Hanukkah, an eight-night festival of lights.
To celebrate the beginning of the holiday, let's take a look back in Eagles history at eight crazy night games that were well worth celebrating, presented in no particular order ...
2013- Chip Kelly's Debut
The Eagles' 2013 opener in Washington was the coming out party for Chip Kelly as an NFL head coach. After months of questions about what elements of Kelly's previous collegiate offensive scheme would transition to the NFL, the Eagles came out with a bang, racking up 443 yards of total offense in a 33-27 victory over Washington. LeSean McCoy started out his record-breaking season on a high note as well, rushing for 184 yards in the Eagles' win.
2013- Win And In
All eyes were on the Eagles and Cowboys in the 2013 season finale. With the NFC East crown on the line, the Eagles pulled out an impressive victory in the heart of Texas. The defense came up big for the Eagles on that Sunday night, as Cary Williams knocked away a two-point conversion that turned out to be the difference in the game, and Brandon Boykin intercepted a Kyle Orton pass to send the Eagles to the postseason for the first time since 2010.
2013- Bears Blowout
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Because the Cowboys had defeated Washington earlier that day, the Eagles' game against the Bears on Sunday night didn't mean anything as far as the team's playoff odds were concerned. But that fact didn't seem to affect the Eagles at all, as an early 21-0 lead eventually ballooned to a 54-11 final score (the only such final score in the history of the NFL). The highlights of the game included Cedric Thornton tripping up Matt Forte in the end zone for a safety and a Brandon Boykin 54-yard pick six.
2010- Vick Dominates Washington
Michael Vick's 2010 performance at Washington was a shining example of why he was selected first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. Vick did it all that night, passing for 333 yards and four touchdowns while adding another 80 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. The southpaw was simply unstoppable throughout the Eagles' 59-28 Monday night victory.
2014- Black Sunday
The Eagles announced early in the week that the team would be wearing black jerseys on black pants for the first time ever, proclaiming the game as Black Sunday. The buzz inside Lincoln Financial Field was palpable that night as the Eagles took the field, and the energy carried over into the Eagles' play, as the defense posted its first shutout since 1996. LeSean McCoy ran wild for 149 yards, Nick Foles threw two touchdowns and Connor Barwin was a menace on defense, recording three sacks.
2004- McNabb's 14-Second Scramble
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Donovan McNabb leads just about every passing category in Eagles history. He led the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games and helped the team reach their first Super Bowl since 1980, but if there's one play that encompasses everything that McNabb brought to the table, it was his 14-second scramble in 2004. In the third quarter of the Eagles' 49-21 win over Dallas, McNabb showed off his legs by scrambling for nearly a quarter-minute and then put his arm on display by finding Freddie Mitchell deep down the field for a gain of 60 yards. McNabb completed just 15 passes on the night, but those throws totaled 345 yards and accounted for four touchdowns.
1990- The Body Bag Game
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In 1990, two years removed from a Super Bowl victory, Washington traveled to Philadelphia for a primetime meeting with the Eagles at Veterans Stadium. The Eagles jumped out to an early lead, but the story of the game was the fact that eight Washington players were forced to leave the game due to injury, including both active quarterbacks. Eventual Eagle kick return specialist Brian Mitchell was forced into quarterback duty, and the Eagles came away with the 28-14 victory.
1991- House Of Pain Game
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In 1991, the Eagles defense shut down the high-powered Houston Oilers offense in what Ray Didinger referred to as one of the best defensive performances in the history of Monday Night Football. Oilers quarterback Warren Moon was sacked four times and the Eagles forced five turnovers during the 13-6 victory. Seth Joyner had a monstrous game for the Eagles, recording eight solo tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two sacks.
