finally some body talking about the Philly game...
Here is an article I wrote for packerchatters:
Meaningful or Meaningless Game??? It Depends Upon the Eyes of the Beholder...
Oh how times have changed.
Coming into the 2005 season the November 27th Green Bay Packer Vs Philadelphia Eagles rematch was a game that many had marked on their calendars. The NFL, nodding to this fact, slotted it into the prime doubleheader 3:15 time, expecting to cash in on a ratings bonanza.
Most preseason prognosticators saw the Eagles as the ‘Crème de la Crème’ of the NFC and their return to the Super Bowl a near certainty. By looking at the outcomes from the previous 3 tilts between the two clubs, most doubted the Packers ability to block the Eagles coronation run, but with Brett Favre at the helm and the Packers potent offense, the Packers were seen as a test game that would lend clarity to the NFC race in week 12 (game 11) of the 2005 season.
For the Packers it was viewed as a hump game – knowing that any real chance of getting a decent seating in the playoffs and hope to move on, the Eagles were a monkey the Packers would need to get off their backs. Add to that, many believed that new Defensive coordinator Bates might just have his defense firing on all cylinders by this game. Yes, it was a game many looked forward to…
FLASHBACK: Monday November 10, 2003
The Monday night home field 17 to 14 loss to the Eagles was the game that many point to as marking the end of the Lambeau Field mystique. Despite Ahman Green's 192-yard rushing outburst, a club record, including a 45-yard touchdown burst put the Packers ahead, 14 – 10 with minutes to play, the defense collapsed down the stretch, giving up a 65 yards drive in eight plays that ended with McNabb to Todd Pinkston TD pass with 27 seconds to play.
The Eagles left Lambeau Field looking like a team-of-destiny and on a roll, while the Packers (and their 70,291 fans attending) were left for dead in the water following this match between NFC titans.
FLASHBACK II: Sunday January 10, 2004…
… a day that will live in infamy for Packer fans.
The Packers, in particularly Brett Favre, had become both the Nation’s and Destiny’s Darling heading into Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on this beautiful January afternoon. Not only had the Packers pulled out a miracle resurrection over the last two months, even the shocking loss of Brett’s father just weeks before seemed unable to stop Sherman’s and the Pack’s march to the Super Bowl.
Four plays will be forever cast into the coulda, shoulda, woulda bin of football lore when history reflects upon this BIG playoff game. Count them:
1. ONE With the Packers once again gouging the Eagles run defense with their power running game, a late second-quarter drive of 66 yards came down Mike Sherman rejecting the opportunity to play safe and take a 17 to 7 lead into the locker room at the half by taking the sure FG. Instead he ran the team’s signature Power Play off right tackle on 4th down inches from the goal line. Mark Tauscher – perhaps the Packers most reliable lineman – missed his block and Mark Simoneau stuffed Green still inches from the goal line.
2. TWO Again on a running tear, the Packers rushed 9 times on a 10 play drive, moving from their 16 to fourth and less than a yard with 2:30 left in the game at the Philly 41. Gasping for air the eagles called their 2nd timeout and staggered their goal line defense onto the field. Leading by 3 and haunted by the decision right before the half, Mike Sherman opted to forgo the 4th down mano y mano showdown – that if successful would ice the game – instead putting the game in the hands of Josh Bidwell. Bidwell instead kicked the ball out of the endzone, breathing life back in to McNabb and his Eagle offense.
3. Three The game was now in the hands of the defense. Yes, the same defense that had faltered two months to the day before. But things looked good as GB put the Eagles in a 4 and 26 situation. I am sure all Packer fans shutter when they think of improbable collapse of the defense that allowed Freddie Mitchell’s miraculous catch of a desperation toss by Donavon McNabb. The play enabled the Eagles to tie the score with 2 seconds left on a Akers 37 yard field goal.
4. FOUR After losing the toss, the Packers defense did step up and quickly forced an Eagles’ punt early in overtime. Destiny once again seemed to be smiling upon the Pack, at least until Brett Favre made a killer mistake on his first offensive play of overtime. Facing a blitz, he refused to take the sack or throw the ball out of bounds (which would have let the Packers live to fight another play), instead he heaved the ball far over his receiver’s (Walker) head and into the arms of Brian Dawkins, which he easily returned 35 yards sealing the Packers fate and ending their seemingly destiny aided run to the Super Bowl.
FLASHBACK III: Sunday December 4, 2004…
After almost 11 months of gnawing upon a host of lingering “what-ifsâ€
als: :kickcan:
