Frienemies: Ranking the 28 Remaining Teams, From Least Hated to Most
Doesn’t it get tiring? No? Not even a little bit? Still no?
Understandably, let’s be honest if you’re an Eagles fan there isn’t a chance you wouldn’t take to let your utter disdain for Redskins, Giants, and especially Cowboys fans be known.
I have a proposition for you though, what if you had the opportunity to profess the modest admiration you have for anyone of the other remaining 28 franchises. Or you can talk about how much you despise them as well because your a “dirty, stinky, Eagles fan and that’s what they do.”
Surely that doesn’t hurt your feeling because as the old saying goes, “We’re from Philly, F_____g Philly. No one likes us, we don’t care.” Just another day in the life of an Eagles fan.
Yet despite the general consensus that its Philly against the world, there has to be a team that you enjoy watching when the Eagles aren’t on the television.
28) Kansas City Chiefs
Let’s be honest every single Eagles fan across the world was happy to see Andy Reid finally won a Super Bowl back in February. Especially with the fact that the Eagles recently won a Super Bowl themselves.
Of course, there is the bitter/sweet feeling of knowing there were so many years of what could have been. There is no denying that Reid is the most decorated coach in Eagles’ history. While the Chiefs hold the latest win in the series, the all-time record is tied at 4-4. No hard feeling #ChiefsKingdom, as long as Andy Reid is your head coach, you’ll always be our preferred Super Bowl opponent.
27) New York Jets
Sometimes it’s easy to feel sorry for the Jets. The days of Super Bowl guarantees are far, far away in this day in age. Hard to believe the days of the dominant defense ran by Rex Ryan (go figure, when you know he’s the son of our beloved Buddy Ryan) were a decade ago. Of course, that bought a little success but nothing sustainable. That can happen when you spend 20 years in the shadow of the greatest coach/quarterback tandem in the history of the league.
Hard to have a problem with a team that doesn’t have a win over you in… well, ever. That’s right the Jets have an all-time record of 0-11 in meetings against Philadelphia. Better days are ahead Jets fan, some times patience is key. Trust us, we know.
26) Indianapolis Colts
Treat Frank Reich okay, and we won’t have any problems.
That’s it. That’s the post.
*Just in cause you’re wondering the all-time series is tied 10-10.
25) Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati should probably be ranked a little higher given the fact that the Bengals lead the all-time series 9-3-1. However, given the fact that this is just about the only success the team has seen over that time as they haven’t won a playoff game since January 1991. Pretty Cowboy-ish wouldn’t you say?
Despite all of the negatives listed, the fact that the Bengals are solely responsible for this infamous quote from Donovan McNabb.
“Well, I’ve never been a part of a tie. I never even knew that was in the rulebook. But again you know, it’s a part of the rules and we have to go with it, so. You know I was looking forward to the next opportunity getting out there and trying to drive. But unfortunately with the rules, we settle with a tie.”
A classic never gets old.
24) Buffalo Bills
Think about how you felt during each NFC championship game loss during the stretch of the early 2000s. Heartbroken, upset, hopeless? Now imagine if that was the Super Bowl each time. In The Buffalo Bills case it was four straight Super Bowl losses, to make matters worse each was to NFC East foes. For a fan base that knows what it’s like to show the same passion for a team win, lose, or draw because you just want to win. Any fan base that is willing to just through tables on a weekly occurrence for a team that has caused them so much pain is cool in our book.
23) Cleveland Browns
What have the Cleveland Brown ever done to anyone? Well there was that one time where Mychal Kendricks was caught on Hard Knocks, giving a scouting report on a few of his former teammates.
However if trash talk from a preseason game fuels you to an extent where you dislike the Browns, you’ve probably been in quarantine a bit too long. Besides can you really hate the team that is responsible for Carson Wentz being an Eagle, all because they didn’t think Wentz had what it took to be a top 20 quarterback in the league.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right? Though the Browns lead the all-time series 31-17-1, they have lost the last five meetings. It always works out in the end right?
22) San Francisco 49ers
It’s pretty exciting that the Eagles finally have the chance to match up against the 49ers this upcoming season. It makes it even better than the game is slated for the Sunday Night Football game in week four. What makes this game so intriguing is the fact during the time the Eagles went on their run to end the 2019 season, there was a bit of optimism that the opponent in the first round would be the San Francisco 49ers. There is one coach that has to seem to evade Doug Pederson’s path, one Kyle Shanahan. While the Eagles and the 49ers did playback in 2017; an Eagles 33-10 victory. The two teams were in two completely different positions as Pederson in his second year at the helm was in the midst of leading what would be the eventual Super Bowl champions. Shanahan was in his first year in San Francisco trying to build a culture and shape the roster to his liking.
There is a connection shared by Shanahan and Pederson at this point in time, however. Their predecessor, Chip Kelly. Is it truly a coincidence that once Kelly was removed from his position as the coach from both franchises, that they went on to look at the peak of success in the eye (sorry #NinerNation). While San Francisco leads the all-time series 19-13-1, the meeting set for October 4 at 8:20 sees both teams who could be viewed as contenders in the NFC, finally square off in a long-anticipated matched.
21) Los Angeles Chargers
Doesn’t it feel nice to know the Eagles have multiple places that can be declared a home away from home? While it is wildly known that the Philly Faithful are amongst the best fans in the league when it comes to traveling to support their Birds.
In 2017 when the Eagles traveled to the Stubhub Center in Los Angeles to take on the Chargers, the case was no different.
Well, Chargers fans, where ever you are. Sorry–not sorry, as we know and you soon found out; #EaglesEverywhere. At least the Chargers lead the all-time series 7-5, a constellation prize of sorts.
20) Chicago Bears
Sure the Bears lead the all-time series 29-16-1. However come on everyone, haven’t we made their life hard enough over the last two years? The DeSean Jackson decoy game aside, the Double Doink alone arguably changed the direction of an entire franchise, and it wasn’t the Eagles. We’ve seen Matt Nagy, who was the NFL’s Coach of the Year during that time due to the work he did with Mitch Trubisky, has essentially had to fight to rewire his “franchise” quarterback after he left it all (it looks like literally) on the field during the playoff loss. Speaking of rewiring franchise quarterbacks the Bears bought in some competition to “light a fire” under Trubisky. That person? None or than Eagles legend Nick Foles.
That’s right EAGLES LEGEND! Have some respect for the man that helped bring the first Super Bowl championship in history to Philadelphia. For that Chicago, we have no choice but to stan, until the inevitable Nick Foles-Carson Wentz showdown comes upon us. Plus we’re forever appreciative of you beating Minnesota in week 17 of the 2018 season. You guys literally had every Eagles fan in FedEx Field chanting “Let’s go Bears.” Kudos to you and #BearDown.
19) Houston Texans
There are sporadic comparisons between Deshaun Watson and Carson Wentz. That is the only thing comparable about the Eagles and the Texans as Philadelphia is currently 5-0 in meetings against Houston.
Once again hard to dislike a team that hasn’t even defeated you. Good luck Texans fans, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, Bill O’Brien can’t be a worst general manager than Chip Kelly right?
18) Tennessee Titans
Between the years of 1972-1994, the Eagles were 6-0 against the Houston Oilers. However since the team moved to Tennessee, the Eagles have only beaten the Titans one time. Which complicates the matter to an extent, while the Eagles lead the all-time series against the franchise as a whole 7-5.
The complete overhaul of the franchise saw the newly branded Titans reign supreme in the matchups against Philadelphia leading to a 5-1 record since the change. Which creates the question, which of these franchises state claim to the lead in the all-time series?
17) Atlanta Falcons
A mutual respect lies between these two NFC squads. There is rarely ever a one-sided game when these two teams meet. The only recent exception to this case is when the Eagles routed the Falcons 34-17 when Michael Vick made his triumphant return to Atlanta in 2009.
Outside of this, each of the last three games has been decided by one score. However, something yet to be mentioned is Philadelphia’s dominance over Atlanta during meetings in the playoffs, as the Eagles are 3-1 in these occasions dating back to 1978. Despite Atlanta holding the latest victory, Philadelphia leads the all-time series 20-15-1.
16) Denver Broncos
As an Eagles fan, one is probably not sure how to feel about the Broncos. The two teams have exchanged home game blowouts as of late. In 2013 in Denver, the Broncos cruised to a 52-20 victory, however, in 2017 the Eagles were able to retaliate with a 51-23 victory in Philadelphia. The game got so out of reach that the Eagles social media team issued an apology to the fans stating the team had run out of the fireworks used to celebrate scores. So one may ask what reason would an Eagles fan have to dislike the Broncos? Well, the answer is simple. Brian Dawkins!
While it isn’t the Broncos fault Dawkins ended up there, just think about how it feels to watch the player that embodies everything it meant to represent your city and your franchise, sign with another team. Imagine if in 1996 when John Elway signed his five years, 28.56m contract the team had allowed him to walk away. Your nightmare, our reality.
15) Arizona Cardinals
The unofficial end to the Andy Reid era began after the 2008 NFC Championship loss to the Arizona Cardinals. While Reid went on to coach four more years in Philadelphia including two more playoff appearances. This was the final of five NFC Championship appearances for the legendary Eagles coach, which in a way signified an end of an era. Franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb was only entrenched as the starter for one more season before being traded to the rival Redskins in 2010. Things were beginning to change in Philadelphia and this loss is the one you can look at at say this was the last chance a Reid-led group had a legitimate opportunity to get the job done.
Then there’s the fact that Larry Fitzgerald may very well be the greatest receiver ever to play against the Eagles, and the moment that captivates the entirety of this story is the nine catch, 152-yard, three-touchdown (all three in the first half) performance in the aforementioned NFC Championship game. Overall Fitzgerald has a 5-3 career record against the Eagles but has killed the secondaries for 47 receptions (six per game), 744 yards (93 per game), and eight touchdowns (one per game).
Certainly, the one guy that gave the Eagles fits (no pun intended). Arizona leads the all-time series between the two teams 59-56-5.
14) Carolina Panthers
The Eagles and the Panthers have had plenty of memorable battles over the years. The two teams have alternated wins since the series began with the exception of an Eagles three-game winning streak during 2004-2009, which has led to the Eagles taking a 7-5 lead in the all-time series. There’s the moment the world was finally introduced to Carson Wentz, as he led the Eagles to an impressive 28-23 victory on Thursday Night Football, in Carolina. Then there’s the last meeting where the Eagles blew a 17-0 lead of a game that saw Carolina score 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
However, the most memorable moment of this matchup took place during the 2003 NFC Championship game, as the Panthers handed the Eagles their third consecutive loss in the NFC Championship. The first NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field ended much like the final game at Veterans Stadium, as the Eagles offense only mustered three points, and Donovan McNabb who was sacked four times could only manage to produce 100 yards and three costly interceptions, prior to a rib injury knocked him out of the game. #NeverForget
13) Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions ruined Thanksgiving before it even got started in 2015. While many families were putting the finishing touches on their grand feast, Calvin Johnson was putting the finishing touches on the Philadelphia Eagles. Eight receptions, 93 yards, and three touchdowns were the stat line as Detroit made Philadelphia the appetizers in the crushing 14-45 defeat.
The Lions also stole a victory from the Eagles in 2016 after a late Ryan Mathews fumble. The only thing keeping Detroit in a good spot is the fact that the all-time series is tied at 16-16-2. Though the Eagles have lost the last three matchups which leads to the Lions being on the wrong side of the list.
12) Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens once beat the Eagles so bad that in every market outside of Philadelphia/Baltimore where the game was airing, it removed the game from television in place of the 4:25 kickoffs. That game was capped off by a 108-yard interception from Kevin Kolb to Ed Reed. Donovan McNabb was benched for the first time in his career at halftime after going 8-18, 59 yards and two interceptions.
This moment alone is enough to launch the Ravens up the list. However, when you realize the two teams are tied in the all-time series 2-2, it helps keep Baltimore just outside the top ten.
11) Jacksonville Jaguars
No hard feeling Duval, as the all-time series is tied 3-3. It’s strictly business, just one question. What does a team have to do to get a trade done around here? Prior to the trade deadline the Eagles were said to be in on Jalen Ramsey, however with him now being a member of the Los Angeles Rams that obviously never came to fruition.
During this off-season, Yannick Ngakoue went on a series of social media tyrant that saw him do/say everything except make me a Philadelphia Eagle, yet he still remains in Duval. Whatever the case may be, it seems as it the Jaguars are hellbent on not doing business with the Eagles.
10) Miami Dolphins
To be honest the reason the Dolphins are this high up is that they are a victim of recency bias. While there is the fact that Miami leads the all-time series 9-6 and has won the last two games (more on that in a few) the Dolphins have been the least of the Eagles worries knowing the teams only play once every four years. When they do match up the game usually doesn’t mean much to either team. Unless of course, you’re the Eagles sitting at 5-6 coming off the toughest stretch of the season, while finally entering the “easy” portion of the schedule. Playing against a 2-9 Dolphins team that ranked dead last in point differential up until that point what could possibly go wrong?
I’ll tell you what, a combination of horrific cornerback play, DeVante Parker becoming Calvin Johnson reincarnated, and the ageless wonder of Ryan Fitzpatrick who always seems to torch the Eagles for some reason and wallah, you have a 31-37 Eagles loss that left fans demanding the Eagles walk home from Miami to think about their actions. Miami, we owe you one. #NeverForget
9) Las Vegas Raiders
As of recently, the Eagles have had no problems with the Raiders. The Eagles actually lead the all-time series 7-6. In many of those games, plenty of memories have been created. Some good, some not some good. There’s the Christmas Day Monday Night Football victory in 2018.
Then of course the infamous Nick Foles seven touchdown game.
However, let the record show that pain the Raiders cause Eagles fans around the world on January 25, 1981, will never be forgotten. To think the Eagles were favored by three in that game. Sorry #RaiderNation 39 years and one Super Bowl later, still isn’t enough to forgive a loss in the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
8) Pittsburgh Steelers
Well, well, well, if it isn’t the in-state rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Let’s just start off by saying that your six Super Bowl trophies represent our state with great honor. However, it would be remiss not to mention that the latest claim of that lies in Philadelphia. Which technically means the current route through “Pennsylvania Pride” goes through The City of Brotherly Love, right? Well if that isn’t enough in terms of bragging right, the Eagles also hold the latest victory in the series with the 34-3 shellacking in 2016. Oh did we mention the Eagles lead the all-time series by a whopping 20 games (48-28-3)? Tough sledding for the Steel Curtain huh, seems like you guys have some work to do. No worries though, as the October 11 meeting is just around the corner.
7) Green Bay Packers
When you think of the Green Bay Packers what is the first thing that comes to mind? If it isn’t 4th & 26, are you truly an Eagles fan? A moment that defines the beauty that is playoff football. It’s never over until it’s truly over, and that’s the same thing Carson Wentz and company said when they walked into Lambeau Field on that Thursday night and handed Aaron Rodgers his first home loss in a game that the Packers led by 10 or more points at the half (58-1-1 at the time).
What is so significant about that win, outside of the aforementioned fact? This is the first time the Eagles have beaten the Packers during the Aaron Rodgers era, as he was 4-0 during this time. Including the 2016 match where he had a near-perfect passer rating and Nelson Agholor was benched heading into the game due to confidence issues (fitting, right?).
Anywho, the Packers lead the all-time series between the two squads 27-17, which doesn’t really help their cost. Must be the price you pay when you win you set the bar as the first team to win a Super Bowl title the Eagles chased for what seemed like an eternity.
6) Los Angeles Rams
These two teams will be linked over the course of the next decade whether they like it or not. It all started in 2016 when both teams traded up to acquire their franchise quarterbacks. The connection took the next step in 2017 when both quarterbacks took the next step in their respective progressions, having their teams jocking for a position in terms seeding in the NFC playoff race. What turned the tide in this would be friendly rivalry amongst two up NFC squads is when Sean McVay walked away with the NFL Coach of the Year award over Philadelphia’s Doug Pederson, who helped lead a worst to the first turnaround of his own. Only Pederson not only went to first in his division but first in the entire NFC. It doesn’t help the voters case when you take into account McVay has yet to defeat Pederson head to head as a head coach.
Enough with all of the recent history though, it’s time we get down to business. The Eagles lead the all-time series 22-19-1, however, there is one game that defines this entire matchup. January 27, 2002; The day that could have been. The upstart Philadelphia Eagles rode a wave of momentum as Jim Johnson (bless his soul) had the defense flying, while Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb were beginning to enlighten the league on what was to come. In their way? “The Greatest Show on Turf”.
While the Eagles have nothing to lose, the fact that the Eagles went into the game as double-digit underdogs and still managed to go into halftime with a 17-14 lead gave the fans of Philadelphia a glimmer of hope. Of course, as we know, Marshall Faulk single-handedly snatched the hope and the game from the Eagles in the second half. Thus starting a long line of crushing defeats in NFC Championship games in years to come.
5) New England Patriots
Five? Seems a bit low for a team that has terrorized the entire NFL over the course of two decades right? The 17-10 loss the Eagles suffered to New England last November still haunts fans because they know the game was so close yet so far. It’s not like Tom Brady outplayed Carson Wentz or that one team was better than the other. In fact, the Patriots only led in a few statistics as the Eagles led the game in first downs (21-19), time of possession (31:35-28:25), and a turnover that proved costly. All this while the Patriots led in total yards (298-255) and the scoreboard, with ultimately is all that matters. The fact that the Eagles kept this game so close is the most demoralizing part. Operating without a multitude of starters most notably Lane Johnson who left the game early with a concussion, you were only left to wonder “what if”.
Still even after the recent loss or even the first Super Bowl loss in 2004 when Terrell Owens fought off a broken ankle trying to bring a Super Bowl to a city without one. Does it not make you feel any better knowing that the final Super Bowl loss of the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era came at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles? Especially when Tom Brady admits until this day “it’s the Eagles that make me cringe bro.” Philadelphia even leads the all-time series 8-7.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If not for recent history, the Buccaneers would be an obvious candidate for the top spot here. Where should we start? Rhetorical question of course, who could ever forget how Tampa Bay essentially turned the lights out on Veterans Stadium. What could have gone wrong, the Eagles were 12-4 with an offense clicking and a defense that allowed the second-fewest points per game (15.1) in a game against a team they had beaten prior in the season and last postseason. To top it off it was 26 degrees, a disadvantage for a Tampa Bay team that had been notoriously bad in the cold. Yet a late Ronde Barber interception sealed the fate of the Eagles Super Bowl aspirations in the final game at their stadium.
To make matters worse, the Buccaneers returned to Philadelphia the next September fresh off a Super Bowl victory, to open the season in the brand new Lincoln Financial Field. Different season, the same result as the Buccaneers cruised to a 17-0 victory.
Then there’s the game in 2006, you know the one where Donovan McNabb couldn’t take the Florida heat and be throwing up between plays. Well despite McNabb’s sickness he was in the midst of leading a comeback from down 17-0 *again*, yet the efforts fell just short after a Matt Bryant 62 yard field goal to end regulation. Or what about the latest debacle where DeSean Jackson and more importantly Ryan Fitzpatrick burned the Eagles in the 21-27 victory. I’m sure Tampa Bay is the reason a lot of Eagles fans can’t sleep at night thinking about what could have been on so many occasions. Despite the Eagles leading the all-time series 10-9, Tampa Bay’s recent acquisition of Tom Brady doesn’t make it any easier to like them.
3) Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota is currently winning the battle. With a 15-14 lead in the all-time series, including the last game that saw Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen collectively torch the Eagles defense for a tune of 13 receptions, 224 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Yet, as they say, you may have won the (last two) battles, the war is far from over. You see regular-season games are a sense of security; a feeling that at a later date or time, your team would have the advantage over a specific squad due to recent history.
However, postseason matchups? Well, those provide a sense of dominance. A knowledge that out of the remaining playoff teams, your franchise can declare that it is better than a specific team. When it comes to the Vikings and the Eagles, Philadelphia is 4-0 in postseason matchups, including the 38-7 debacle in Philadelphia back in 2017. So what does that really say?
2) Seattle Seahawks
Why? Not only do the Seahawks lead the all-time series 11-7. There’s also the fact Russell Wilson has given the Eagles nightmares from the moment he became the one that got away is one thing. The Eagles had every intention of drafting Russell Wilson with the 88th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. That was before the Seahawks took him at pick 75. It was said that Andy Reid was significantly high on Wilson and Wilson himself even sent messages to NFL Networks Daniel Jeremiah, who was a former Eagles draft scout stating saying “If the Eagles draft me, I will lead the Eagles to championships.” Since entering the league Wilson has never lost to the Eagles, garnering a record of 5-0 including the playoff win this past January.
Which brings us to the fact that a certain former Seahawks defensive end is the reason that Carson Wentz has yet to play significant minutes in a playoff game. Until this very moment, it’s hard to believe that the NFL found nothing wrong with the hut itself. Whether Clowney had the intent or not is a different story, however, if you’re going to emphasize protecting defenseless players, then there is no reason this play shouldn’t have been flagged.
This moment changed the course of the entire game and while Josh McCown was admirable filling in for Wentz, this will be a game, and a moment Philadelphia will not forget anytime soon.
1) New Orleans Saints
If there has been one team that has been the biggest thorn in the side of the Philadelphia Eagles for years it would certainly be the New Orleans Saints. While the recent drama like Alvin Kamara’s “we would have beat the s__t out of the Eagles” quote, the ski mask antics he and Mark Ingram participated in after the Divisional round victory, or even the acquisition of Malcolm Jenkins this off-season (which doesn’t seem to be off to the best start) have certainly stirred up the pot creating basis for this matchup to start heading towards legitimate rivalry status. The on the field matchups have played an even bigger role in the narrative at hand.
You see Alshon Jeffery’s drop turn interception in the divisional round of the 2018 playoffs was just a piece to a puzzle. A puzzle that includes a game where Nick Foles last left the field with a lead in his possession and when he returned it was as a loser. Or the Divisional round performance, best known for the game where Sheldon Brown crushed Reggie Bush. Jeff Garcia gave a valiant effort not only in this game but over the duration games he filled in for Donovan McNabb but fell just short here in a 27-24 Saints victory. Oh did we mention how Sean Payton intentionally ran up the score in the last regular-season meeting between these two squads?
While the Eagles lead the season all-time series between the two squads with a record of 17-15.
The Saints haven’t given the Eagles any reason to hold back the aggression and expect the same thing when these two teams meet later own this season.
Featured Image: Brad Mills/USA Today
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