The Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 76th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the tenth under head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles improved upon their 8–8 record and a fourth-place finish in the NFC East in the 2007 season by going 9–6–1 and earning the 6th seed in the NFC Playoffs. The Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 26–14 in the wild-card round. Philadelphia then upset the top-seeded New York Giants, 23–11 in the divisional round to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2004 season. However, the Eagles' season would end in Arizona with a 32–25 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. This would be the last season in which the Eagles would win a playoff game until their Super Bowl LII-winning season nine years later.
Despite their low-seeding in the NFC playoffs, Football Outsiders calculated that the 2008 Eagles were the best team in the league, play-for-play.Football Outsiders: 2008 TEAM EFFICIENCY RATINGS "The Eagles are only the second team to lead the league in DVOA without a record of 12–4 or better. The other was the 1995 San Francisco 49ers at 11–5."
The 2008 Eagles were featured in the film adaptation of Silver Linings Playbook, although the novel focuses on the 2006 team.
Offseason Though the Eagles finished the 2007 season strong, winning their final three games, they finished 8–8 and in last place in a tough division. In the off-season, the Eagles signed cornerback Asante Samuel from the New England Patriots on February 29, 2008, the first day he became available. Samuel, signed to a six-year, $57 million contract, was considered one of the top players available in free agency, and was Philadelphia's largest signing since Terrell Owens in 2004. The Eagles also signed defensive end Chris Clemons, and gave him a sizable signing bonus, but he struggled with injuries in the preseason, and barely made the team. Oft-injured defensive lineman Jevon Kearse returned to the Tennessee Titans and Takeo Spikes was released, with a young corps of linebackers ready to replace him. Tight end L.J. Smith, who has battled injury, was given a franchise tag to keep him in Philadelphia.
In the draft, the Eagles traded down again, lining themselves up with two first-round picks in 2009. Training camp and the preseason were mixed with good news and bad news. On the negative side, All-Pro guard Shawn Andrews had a late-start to the preseason because of a personal battle with depression. Cornerback Lito Sheppard now looked like a third wheel in the secondary behind Samuel and Sheldon Brown, and vented his frustration. A contract dispute with star running back Brian Westbrook also looked to be another distraction until the team signed him to a three-year, $21 million extension. Philadelphia's biggest issue was the weak receiving corps. In the spring, the team was unsuccessful in acquiring a big name receiver, and the situation was exacerbated when number one receiver Kevin Curtis went down with a sports hernia in the preseason, while number two receiver Reggie Brown nursed a sore hamstring. No moves were made to fix the problem, and many experts considered the Eagles too weak at the position to go deep into the playoffs. However, 5'10 second round draft pick DeSean Jackson had a great preseason, and was named as a Week 1 starter for the Eagles at receiver. Quarterback Donovan McNabb also had a strong preseason, and finally looked fully recovered from his 2006 knee surgery. The rebuilt special teams unit impressed in the preseason, with draft picks Jackson and Quintin Demps returning a punt and a kick respectively for touchdowns in an exhibition win over the Patriots.
The offense went into the season with Westbrook in his prime and a seemingly rejuvenated McNabb, but the offense struggled with injuries and consistency. The defense had a secondary featuring Samuel, Brown, Sheppard, and veteran safety Brian Dawkins. The linebacking corps was younger, and Trent Cole was on the defensive line. Possibly the most key improvement in the team over 2007 lies in the special teams, which was a consistent weakness the previous season.
Notable roster additions CB Asante Samuel- Signed as a free agent from the New England Patriots. DE Chris Clemons- Signed as a free agent from the Oakland Raiders. DT/FB Dan Klecko – Signed as a free agent from the Indianapolis Colts. TE L.J. Smith – Signed his franchise tag tender. FB Luke Lawton- Traded from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2009 conditional draft pick.
Notable roster losses LB Takeo Spikes – Signed with 49ers During Free Agency CB William James- Signed with Bills During Free Agency DE Jevon Kearse – Signed with Titans During Free Agency FB Thomas Tapeh – Signed with Vikings During Free Agency
Philadelphia Eagles Draft
Staff Philadelphia Eagles 2008 staff Front office Chairman/CEO – Jeffrey Lurie President/coo – Joe Banner General manager – Tom Heckert Jr. Vice president of player personnel – Howie Roseman Director of college scouting – Ryan Grigson Director of pro personnel – Jon Sandusky
Head coaches Head coach – Andy Reid Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator – Marty Mornhinweg
Offensive coaches Quarterbacks – Pat Shurmur Running backs – Ted Williams Wide receivers – David Culley Tight ends – Tom Melvin Offensive line – Juan Castillo Offensive assistant – Mark Whipple Offensive quality control – James Urban Statistical analysis coordinator – Mike Frazier Coaching assistant – Corey Matthaei Coaching intern – Matt Nagy Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Jim Johnson Defensive line – Pete Jenkins Linebackers – Bill Shuey Secondary – Sean McDermott Assistant secondary – Otis Smith Defensive quality control – Mike Caldwell
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Rory Segrest Assistant special teams/offensive assistant – Jeff Nixon
Strength and conditioning Head athletic trainer – Rick Burkholder Head strength and conditioning – Mike Wolf Assistant strength and conditioning – Barry Rubin
Roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–16 0–1 Heinz Field Recap 2 Carolina Panthers W 24–13 1–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 3 at New England Patriots W 27–17 2–1 Gillette Stadium Recap 4 New York Jets L 20–27 2–2 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 7 St. Louis Rams W 38–3 1–0 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 2 at Dallas Cowboys L 37–41 1–1 Texas Stadium Recap 3 September 21 Pittsburgh Steelers W 15–6 2–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 4 September 28 at Chicago Bears L 20–24 2–2 Soldier Field Recap 5 October 5 Washington Redskins L 17–23 2–3 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 6 October 12 at San Francisco 49ers W 40–26 3–3 Candlestick Park Recap 7 Bye 8 October 26 Atlanta Falcons W 27–14 4–3 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 9 November 2 at Seattle Seahawks W 26–7 5–3 Qwest Field Recap 10 November 9 New York Giants L 31–36 5–4 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 11 November 16 at Cincinnati Bengals T 13–13 5–4–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap 12 November 23 at Baltimore Ravens L 7–36 5–5–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 13 November 27 Arizona Cardinals W 48–20 6–5–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 14 December 7 at New York Giants W 20–14 7–5–1 Giants Stadium Recap 15 Cleveland Browns W 30–10 8–5–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 16 December 21 at Washington Redskins L 3–10 8–6–1 FedExField Recap 17 December 28 Dallas Cowboys W 44–6 9–6–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. St. Louis Rams
The Eagles raced out of the gates to dismantle the St. Louis Rams 38–3, their largest opening week margin-of-victory ever. Rookie DeSean Jackson pulled down a 47-yard reception on the second play, and the drive finished with a shovel pass touchdown to Brian Westbrook. Donovan McNabb marched the Eagles down the field again on their second possession, finding L.J. Smith in the back of the end zone to make it 14–0. Late in the second quarter, receiver Hank Baskett beat the coverage and scored on a 90-yard reception (which was also McNabb's second longest career TD pass). Fullback Tony Hunt scored from a yard out in the third quarter. DeSean Jackson's 60-yard punt return set up a short field goal for David Akers, and Philadelphia's lead grew to 31–0. Westbrook added a 6-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter before St. Louis kicked a field goal to avoid the shutout. McNabb threw for 361 yards and three scores. Jackson, Greg Lewis, and Baskett each had over 100 yards receiving. Westbrook ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns
With the win, the Eagles began their season at 1–0.
Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles went toe-to-toe with their hated rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on MNF in the teams' final meeting at Texas Stadium. The game would be high-scoring – filled with exciting plays and seven lead changes. On their opening drive, Philadelphia scored first with kicker David Akers nailing a 34-yard field goal. The Cowboys struck right back with Tony Romo completing a 72-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens, who badly beat the Eagles' secondary. Donovan McNabb drove the Eagles' into Dallas territory again, but again settled for a field goal. Dallas immediately answered when rookie Felix Jones returned the kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and a 14–6 Cowboy advantage. Asante Samuel intercepted Romo on Dallas' next drive, leading to a 6-yard touchdown reception by Brian Westbrook early in the second quarter. Romo fumbled in his own end zone on the first play of the ensuing drive and linebacker Chris Gocong recovered for the touchdown and a 20–14 Eagle lead. However, the Cowboys would respond with Romo and Owens hooking up with each other again on a 4-yard TD pass. The Eagles took over and McNabb connected with rookie DeSean Jackson on a 60-yard play, but his premature celebration cost him what would have been his first career touchdown (as well as a pass-for-touchdown by McNabb). Nevertheless, Westbrook scored on the resulting 1st and goal from the 1-yard line, diving over the pile to put Philadelphia back on top. Akers nailed a 22-yard field goal and Philadelphia had its biggest lead of the night, 30–21. Dallas would end the explosive half with kicker Nick Folk making a 51-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Cowboys went ahead again as Romo completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to running back Marion Barber. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles would once again retake the lead, at 37–31, with Westbrook's 1-yard touchdown run. Nick Folk's 47-yard field goal made it 37–34 Philadelphia. The critical turnover occurred when McNabb botched a handoff to Westbrook at the Cowboy 33-yard line that Dallas recovered. Romo led his team down the field and Barber rushed it in to the right side, giving Dallas the winning margin at 41–37. Needing a touchdown, Philadelphia had two more possessions, but failed to score. McNabb threw for 281 yards and a score, while Romo had 312 passing yards and three touchdowns. Westbrook found the end zone three times while gaining 103 all-purpose yards. DeSean Jackson again had over 100 receiving yards. The game featured the second most first half points in MNF history (54) and most combined points in the rivalry's history (78). With the loss, the Eagles fell to 1–1.
Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers