2005 History of the Philadelphia Eagles

the defending nfc champions did not fare next year. 2005 season began in strange , erratic fashion 14-10 road loss atlanta falcons on monday night football, game in donovan mcnabb suffered chest bruise. in addition, eagles linebacker jeremiah trotter ejected prior kick-off getting involved in altercation falcons cornerback kevin mathis. in week 2 home opener in philadelphia, eagles defeated san francisco 49ers in rout 42-3; however, mcnabb diagnosed sports hernia following game. weeks 3 , 4 saw eagles struggle still manage defeat oakland raiders (23-20) , mount stunning comeback 18-point deficit defeat kansas city chiefs @ arrowhead stadium (37-31). in week 5, eagles manhandled dallas cowboys in texas stadium, losing 23 points (33-10). following bye week, eagles pulled off miraculous 20-17 win against san diego chargers when cornerback matt ware returned blocked field goal touchdown in fourth quarter. fans hoped play “wake up” eagles , save season similar brian westbrook s fourth quarter punt return against new york giants in 2003. however, in next week, eagles unable stop running , passing attack of denver broncos, losing 49-21.

week after week, andy reid had come under criticism eagles lack of dedication running game , overworking injured donovan mcnabb, on pace break records all-time passing attempts , completions. eagles had allowed behind in first quarters of games, end fighting behind in remaining quarters. analysts speculated eagles problems due not finding replacements former defensive linemen corey simon , derrick burgess, poor pass rush, poor special teams, , contract disputes brian westbrook , terrell owens, along owens virtually weekly controversies. had been hindered injuries mcnabb, correll buckhalter, todd pinkston, lito sheppard, dirk johnson, , david akers.

brian westbrook not solid eagles runningback, receiving threat out of backfield.



lito sheppard signing autographs in 2005.

on november 4, 2005, on espn, terrell owens criticized eagles front office not recognizing 100th touchdown catch. agreed michael irvin s statement eagles undefeated had brett favre been quarterback. despite owens s apology next day front office (but not mcnabb), suspended indefinitely. there reports got fist fight hugh douglas , challenged other players in locker room contributed suspension. @ andy reid s press conference after washington loss, announced t.o. no longer playing year eagles due conduct detrimental team.

things got worse eagles. lost sunday night match-up division rival, washington redskins 17-10. then, when went home , played rematch much-hated rival, cowboys, on monday night football, late game interception roy williams sealed doom. not did lose 21-20, suffering donovan mcnabb got shoved ground, worsening sports hernia , ending season.

on november 20, former detroit quarterback mike mcmahon named eagles starter. however, wild gun passing didn t phase giants, eagles went down again 27-17. then, on november 21 donovan mcnabb announced undergo surgery sports hernia. eagles finish season without @ least 8 of projected starters heading season, including pinkston, hank fraley, dirk johnson, , pro bowlers mcnabb, brian westbrook, lito sheppard, tra thomas, , exiled owens.

their next-to-last win of season came week later against injury-ravaged green bay packers 19-14. @ home game on december 5, on monday night football, eagles retired #92, had belonged late reggie white. unfortunately, got shut out nfc west , eventual nfc champion seattle seahawks 42-0. afterwards, lost giants @ home 26-2. last win of season came on road against st. louis rams 17-16. lost last 2 games of season arizona cardinals on road 27-21 , @ home wild card washington redskins 31-20. ended 2005 season @ 6-10, marked first time since 1999 eagles failed make playoffs.

after expectations of return super bowl, appeared eagles have retool in 2006 off-season make run vince lombardi trophy.