There were a lot of highs and lows in the 2010s for the Philadelphia Eagles. The decade began with Super Bowl hopes with a "Dream Team" in place, and soon after that the team was picking within the top 5 of the NFL Draft. The end of the decade brought lots of memorable moments, culminating in a Super Bowl victory that fans dreamed of for over 50 years.
This article will recall some of the most memorable plays from the past 10 seasons, and rank them in an order deemed appropriate. Some plays that just missed the top 10 cut include
Nick Foles' last-second touchdown to Jeremy Maclin in Tampa Bay (2012), Nick Foles' touchdown to Golden Tate Wild Card Round (2018), and Carson Wentz's Houdini act vs Washington (2017).
Without further ado, here are the top 10 plays of the 2010s from the Eagles:
10) Brandon Boykin INT vs Dallas (2013)
The Dallas Cowboys needed just a field goal and they would clinch the NFC East and eliminate the Eagles from playoff contention. They were just starting their drive when Brandon Boykin decided to cut the Cowboys' playoff dreams off and intercept Kyle Orton. The Eagles won the NFC East thanks to this clutch play from Boykin. After a fantastic season from Boykin that year, he was off the team just two years later as Chip Kelly wanted to move in a different direction.
9) Jake Elliott 61-Yarder (2017)
The Eagles had a 14-0 lead that they let out of their grasp, and suddenly trailed the New York Giants 21-14 in the 4th quarter. It eventually got to a 24-24 game, and the Eagles offense got the ball to the 44-yard line. The Eagles needed the newly signed rookie kicker, Jake Elliott, to come up clutch and help the team advance to 2-1 instead of falling to 1-2. Elliott was clutch and nailed the longest field goal in team history. This kick helped launch the Eagles into a nine game winning streak, which helped the team clinch the one-seed in the NFC.
8) Michael Vick to DeSean Monday Night Massacre (2010)
Probably the best opening play in Eagles history, a 90-yard bomb from Michael Vick to DeSean Jackson was just the tip of the iceberg that was the Redskins Titanic. The Eagles got out to a 35-0 lead in this game in just 16 minutes of game time. It was an ass-kicking for the ages, and it was all because of such a great start thanks to the Vick-Jackson tag team.
7) LeSean Mccoy's Touchdown in the Snow Bowl (2013)
The Eagles needed a win to keep pace in the NFC East race, and playing in whiteout conditions against a team wearing white jerseys certainly didn't help the Eagles out. They were able to overcome an early deficit thanks to this amazing 55-yard rushing touchdown from LeSean McCoy. This was just a piece of McCoy's historic 217 yard performance, which still remains an Eagles single-game rushing record to this day.
6) Patrick Robinson's Pick-Six (2017)
The Eagles were down 7-0 and just punted the ball back to the Vikings. Case Keenum was starting another drive and the air in the Linc was slowly getting sucked out. That's when Patrick Robinson stepped up and completed the greatest pick-six in Eagles history. What made this play so great was because it was a team effort: Chris Long brushed Keenim's arm to affect the throw, all defenders became blockers and carved a path for Robinson, and Ronald Darby absorbed a hit in order to keep Robinson protected and allowed him to reach the endzone. This play allowed the Eagles to score 38 unanswered points to send the Vikings back home disappointed that they weren't able to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
5) Nick Foles' Touchdown to Clement Through Three Defenders (2017)
This throw is arguably the greatest throw in Eagles history. Nick Foles saw that Corey Clement was covered by three defenders, but he basically said "what the hell" and threaded the needle in the only place he could put it. Clement was able to get his feet down and help the Eagles extend their lead, and as we all know the Eagles needed all the points they could get in that offensive showdown.
4) Zach Ertz's Game-Winner Super Bowl LII (2017)
The Eagles needed a long scoring drive to help keep the Patriots off the field and close out a victory. They had as good of a drive as you could ask for -- a nine minute drive that was capped off with this touchdown. Getting Zach Ertz one-on-one with a defensive back had Doug Pederson licking his lips, and it worked out perfectly. The game-winning touchdown in the Eagles lone Super Bowl victory will always be considered a top play.
3) Miracle at the New Meadowlands (2010)
For a while, this play was considered the best in Eagles history. A walk-off punt return touchdown is as rare of a play as you can find in the NFL. Not to mention this play put the final touches on the Eagles scoring 28 unanswered points to erase a 31-10 deficit to win. This win also put the Eagles in the driver's seat and evidently won them the NFC East.
2) Philly Special (2017)
This might be controversial, but I don't consider the Philly Special the greatest play of the decade (nor in Eagles history). Still, it is the greatest trick play in Super Bowl history and it was also a direct "in your face" moment to Tom Brady, who dropped a potential catch earlier in the game. The play is so legendary, that there is a statue of Nick Foles and Doug Pederson discussing the play outside of Lincoln Financial Field. This play will always be special, because even if another team replicates it, those teams are not likely to be using their 3rd string/UDFA running back, backup tight end, and backup quarterback to complete it.
1) Brandon Graham's Strip Sack (2017)
This play gets my vote not only as the greatest play of the 2010s, but also as the greatest play in history. The backstory and narratives are what make it so special in my eyes. When you think about it, Brandon Graham was considered a draft bust just a few years prior to this, and he couldn't go anywhere without hearing the name Earl Thomas (the player the Eagles skipped over to draft Graham).
Tom Brady was also known for being a clutch performer in Super Bowls, winning his previous five in come-from-behind fashion. With the ball in his hands and two minutes to score a touchdown, it was almost a forgone conclusion he was leading his Patriots down the field for a game-winning touchdown.
When Derek Barnett recovered the ball, a weight was lifted off the shoulders of Eagles fans across the globe. The narrative of the Eagles always being bridesmaids and never the bride was changed. It set up a field goal for Jake Elliott to nail and extend the lead to eight, which was enough for the Eagles to come away with their first Lombardi Trophy in its 52-year existence.
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