The 2013 season was the Philadelphia Eagles' 81st in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Chip Kelly. The Eagles improved on their 4–12 record from 2012, finishing 10–6 and clinching the NFC East division title and the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but after a close game, they lost on a last-second field goal to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, by a score of 26–24. The season was noted for LeSean McCoy winning the NFL rushing title, and the extremely successful season by Nick Foles where he produced 27 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. Foles also threw seven touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders, tying an NFL record for most touchdowns in a single game.
This was the Eagles' first season since 1998 without long-time head coach Andy Reid, who was fired following the 2012 season, and would become the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs after his dismissal. Reid made his first return to Philadelphia during Week 3, in which the Chiefs won 26–16.
The Eagles had a three-way quarterback competition with Nick Foles, Michael Vick and Matt Barkley, with Vick winning the job. After Vick got injured, however, Foles took over as quarterback and was eventually named the new starting quarterback despite Vick's return.
It took 62 weeks overall for the Eagles to win a home game; they continued the home losing streak that lasted throughout the rest of the 2012 season and extended it to 10 games, but they ended the streak by winning 24–16 against Washington at the Linc in Week 11.
Personnel changes On December 31, 2012, long time head coach Andy Reid was fired. On January 16, 2013, Chip Kelly was hired as the new head coach.
On January 20, Pat Shurmur accepted the offensive coordinator job. Billy Davis accepted the defensive coordinator position on February 7.
Tom Gamble was named Vice-president of Player Personnel on February 13, a position that had been vacant since Ryan Grigson left to become general manager of the Indianapolis Colts.
Roster changes
Free agents
Position Player 2013 Team Notes S Colt Anderson UFA Philadelphia Eagles LS Jon Dorenbos UFA Philadelphia Eagles OT King Dunlap UFA San Diego Chargers LB Akeem Jordan UFA Kansas City Chiefs DT Derek Landri UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie UFA Denver Broncos G Jake Scott UFA Detroit Lions DE Darryl Tapp UFA Washington Redskins Player re-signed by the Eagles
Signings Position Player 2012 Team Date signed Notes and references TE James Casey UFA Houston Texans March 12 on active roster S Patrick Chung UFA New England Patriots March 12 re-signed by New England Patriots CB Bradley Fletcher UFA St. Louis Rams March 12 signed by New England Patriots ILB Jason Phillips UFA Carolina Panthers March 12 on injured reserve NT Isaac Sopoaga UFA San Francisco 49ers March 12 traded to New England OLB Connor Barwin UFA Houston Texans March 14 on active roster S Kenny Phillips UFA New York Giants March 14 waived CB Cary Williams UFA Baltimore Ravens March 14 signed by Seattle Seahawks P Donnie Jones UFA Houston Texans March 25 on active roster RB Felix Jones UFA Dallas Cowboys May 14 traded to Pittsburgh
Trades
On March 15, the Eagles traded their sixth round pick and a conditional 2014 pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for wide receiver Arrelious Benn and the Bucs' 2013 seventh round pick. On March 28, the Eagles traded fullback Stanley Havili to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for defensive end Clifton Geathers. On April 11, the Eagles traded running back Dion Lewis to the Cleveland Browns for linebacker Emmanuel Acho. On August 12, the Eagles traded offensive guard Nate Menkin to the Houston Texans for wide receiver Jeff Maehl.
2013 draft class
Round Selection Player Position College 1 4 Lane Johnson OT Oklahoma 2 35 Zach Ertz TE Stanford 3 67 Bennie Logan DT LSU 4 98 Matt Barkley QB USC 5 136 Earl Wolff S NC State 7 212 Joe Kruger DE Utah 218 Jordan Poyer CB Oregon State 239 David King DT Oklahoma Notes The Eagles traded their original fourth- and seventh-round selections (101st and 210th overall) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the Jaguars' fourth-round selection (98th overall). The Eagles traded their original sixth-round selection (173rd overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for safety David Sims and the Browns' seventh-round selection (212th overall). The Eagles acquired an additional sixth-round selection (196th overall) in a trade that sent defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to the Denver Broncos; the Eagles later traded this selection along with a conditional 2014 selection to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for wide receiver Arrelious Benn and the Buccaneers' 2013 seventh-round selection (218th overall). Compensatory selection.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 New England Patriots L 22–31 0–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 2 Carolina Panthers W 14–9 1–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 31–24 2–1 EverBank Field Recap 4 at New York Jets L 20–27 2–2 MetLife Stadium Recap
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Washington Redskins W 33–27 1–0 FedExField Recap 2 September 15 San Diego Chargers L 30–33 1–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 3 Kansas City Chiefs L 16–26 1–2 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 4 September 29 at Denver Broncos L 20–52 1–3 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap 5 October 6 at New York Giants W 36–21 2–3 MetLife Stadium Recap 6 October 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 31–20 3–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap 7 October 20 Dallas Cowboys L 3–17 3–4 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 8 October 27 New York Giants L 7–15 3–5 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 9 November 3 at Oakland Raiders W 49–20 4–5 O.co Coliseum Recap 10 November 10 at Green Bay Packers W 27–13 5–5 Lambeau Field Recap 11 November 17 Washington Redskins W 24–16 6–5 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 12Bye 13 December 1 Arizona Cardinals W 24–21 7–5 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 14 December 8 Detroit Lions W 34–20 8–5 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 15 December 15 at Minnesota Vikings L 30–48 8–6 Mall of America Field Recap 16 December 22 Chicago Bears W 54–11 9–6 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 17 December 29 at Dallas Cowboys W 24–22 10–6 AT&T Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Washington Redskins
The Eagles started their 2013 season with a Monday Night divisional clash on the road against the Washington Redskins. The Skins scored first when DeAngelo Hall returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown for a 7–0 lead. After this the Eagles dominated scoring 33 straight points as Alex Henery kicked a field goal from 48 yards out to come within four points for a 7–3 game. Next Michael Vick found DeSean Jackson on a 25-yard pass as the team took the lead 10–7. On the Skins' next possession, Alfred Morris was tackled in the end zone for a safety making the score 12–7. In the second quarter, the Eagles continued to increase their lead as Vick found Brent Celek on a 28-yard touchdown pass for a 19–7 lead. Later on in the quarter, Vick ran for a 3-yard touchdown bringing the halftime score to 26–7. In the third quarter, LeSean McCoy ran for a 34-yard touchdown bringing the score to 33–7. The Skins started their scoring again as Morris ran for a 5-yard touchdown making the score 33–14. In the fourth quarter, it was all Skins as RG3 found Leonard Hankerson on a 10-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion) for a 33–20 game. Finally, the Skins came within six points as RG3 and Hankerson connected again this time on a 24-yard pass bringing the final score to 33–27.
With the win, the Eagles started their season 1–0.
Week 2: vs. San Diego Chargers
The Eagles punted on their first possession. The Chargers took the ball and marched to the Eagles 31, but had to settle for a 49 field goal. The Eagles took the ball next and stormed 75 yards in 5 plays, driving to the Chargers 2, but kicked a field goal.
Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This week marked the return of former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles forced the Chiefs to a quick three-and-out, but the Eagles muffed the punt, and the Chiefs recovered at the Philadelphia 8. A few plays later, Ryan Succop kicked a 33-yard field goal. On Philadelphia's first possession, Michael Vick was intercepted by Eric Berry, on a pass intended for Brent Celek, who returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. After a Chiefs punt, Michael Vick busted off a 61-yard run, setting up his 22-yard touchdown pass to Jason Avant. Zach Ertz attempted to run in the two-point conversion, but failed, keeping the score 10–6. With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter the Eagles drove into Chiefs territory, but Vick was sacked by Justin Houston and fumbled. Two field goals by Ryan Succop was the only scoring of the second quarter, giving the Chiefs a 16–6 halftime lead. An Alex Henery field goal was the only score of the third quarter, giving the Chiefs a 16–9 lead entering the fourth quarter. On their first drive of the fourth quarter, Jamaal Charles capped off an eight-play, 62-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, making the score 23–9. The Eagles immediately responded with a touchdown of their own, driving 78 yards with a 41-yard touchdown rush by LeSean McCoy, pulling to within 7. However, Kansas City struck the decisive blow with a 15-play, 73-yard drive, taking 8:15 off the clock and Ryan Succop adding his fourth field goals making the score 26–16. On their next drive, Michael Vick completed a 19-yard pass on third-and-10, but guard Todd Herremans was called for holding making it third-and-20 at their own 21. The Eagles turned the ball over on downs. The Chiefs did the same on their next drive. Finally, a strip sack by Justin Houston with recovering for Kansas City, sealed the deal. With the loss, the Eagles lost their second in a row, both being at home. The Eagles outgained Chiefs 431–394 and had more first downs, 21–19, but the Chiefs had almost twice as much time of possession and won the turnover battle 5–0.
Week 4: at Denver Broncos