Philadelphia Eagles Flashback: Jan. 23, 2005, NFC Champions at Last

Jan. 23, 2005, the Philadelphia Eagles finally accomplished something they had been trying to do the previous three seasons.

For the second time in the franchise's history, they could call themselves NFC Champions.

Even though the Eagles lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, 24-21, the 2005 NFC Championship victory against the Atlanta Falcons will always be one of my most memorable games as an Eagles fan.

Before the start of the Eagles' 2004 season, the city of Philadelphia had gone through three previous playoff experiences with the Birds that can be described with no other word other than frustration.

The Eagles were being compared to the Buffalo Bills in the '90s (four straight Super Bowl losses), as they had lost in the NFC Championship game three years in a row.
In January 2002, the Eagles fell just short of the Super Bowl, losing to the St. Louis Rams, 29-24. The Eagles couldn't find a way to stop Marshall Faulk, as he ran for 159 yards off of 31 carries.

The following season, the Eagles hosted the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia, which would end up being the last game played at Veteran's Stadium. When looking at the statistics on paper, it seemed as if the Eagles were destined to go on to play in the Super Bowl.

The temperature of the game that day was a freezing 22 degrees.

Before this game in January, Tampa Bay's record when the temperature was below 40 degrees was 1-21. Advantage Eagles.

Before this game, Tampa Bay's record when the temperature was below 30 degrees was 0-9. Advantage Eagles.

The Eagles had defeated the Buccaneers 20-10 earlier that season. Advantage Eagles once again.

So, how did the Eagles end up losing this game? A 70-yard opening kickoff return by Brian Mitchell made us all think from the start that this was actually going to happen. The city of Philadelphia would actually have something to celebrate.

After Deuce Staley topped off Mitchell's opening return with a touchdown, everything seemed to go down hill from there for the Eagles.

The Birds' offense couldn't put up any points on the board, and the Eagles and their fans were left with the memory of Ronde Barber intercepting McNabb at the end of the game, who returned it for a touchdown. The Buccaneers went on to win the game, 27-10.

The following year, the Eagles returned to the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC once again. For the third straight season, they reached the NFC Championship game.

Two years in a row, two straight losses in the NFC Championship game. The only thing running through my mind was that there is absolutely no way in you know what that the Eagles could possibly lose the NFC Championship game three seasons in a row.

I wish I was wrong.

Instead of the Eagles finally making it to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history, Ricky Manning Jr. recorded three interceptions and the Carolina Panthers won, 14-3.

What made this game even more painful to deal with was the fact that the Eagles were the first team in the NFL to lose two home NFC Championship games in a row. Talk about not taking advantage of home field.

Three years, three straight losses in the NFC Championship game. I know losing four straight Super Bowls is a lot harder to deal with, but I felt like I was beginning to feel the Buffalo Bill's frustration.

Before the start of the 2004 season, the Eagles signed defensive end Jevon Kearse and star wide receiver Terrell Owens. All of a sudden, McNabb had a go-to receiver that might get us over that hump to reach the Superbowl.

Jan. 23, 2005. The Philadelphia Eagles were in the NFC Championship game for the fourth straight year, third straight at home. This time, they would take on Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons.

This was no ordinary day for a football game. The day before, the Philadelphia area was hit with an awful snow storm. As a senior in high school, I was lucky enough to have school canceled the next day.

Once again, I knew that it was impossible for the Eagles to lose another NFC Championship game. It was our destiny to reach the Super Bowl after three previous NFC Championship collapses.

Thanks to strong play by Chad Lewis, Donovan McNabb, and the Philadelphia defense, the Eagles were able to win the NFC Championship by defeating the Atlanta Falcons, 27-10.

Fox sports broadcaster Joe Buck said it best at the end of the game:

"After four years of Philadelphia frustration, the Eagles are going to the Super Bowl."

As a long-time fan, this is the best memory of the Eagles I have ever had. Am I disappointed that they ended up losing in the Super Bowl to the Patriots?

Of course I am.

However, the way I look at the situation is during that game against the Falcons, the Eagles accomplished something that they had tried to do the last three seasons.

I can remember everything about Jan. 23, 2005. The one thing that will always remember is the way the fans inside the Linc reacted when Chad Lewis caught that touchdown with just over three minutes left in the game to seal the Eagles victories.

The fans knew they were so close. The players knew they were so close. When Chad Lewis caught that final score, that place could have been heard from across the Ben Franklin bridge.

The place erupted, as fans had been waiting patiently for so long to finally get the chance for their team to play in the Super Bowl.

As I watched fans go crazy, holding signs about "Jacksonville," I couldn't help the tears that had come to my eyes. I too had waited so long for the Eagles to make it to the Super Bowl. All of a sudden, the frustration felt during the games against the Rams, Buccaneers, and Panthers didn't matter.

The Eagles NFC Championship game in 2005 is one I will always remember as a fan. It may have taken a long time, but it was one amazing feeling once they finally made it to the big show. Hopefully, I will get to experience that amazing feeling again soon.