PREVIEW – Playoffs (WILD CARD): A Wonderful Wildcard Weekend in Philadelphia vs. 49ers
It’s difficult to believe that, with all the success the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers have had in the NFL, and with 167 years of existence between the two franchises, the Eagles and 49ers have only met twice in the NFC Playoffs.
The first contest — occurring thirty years ago this year in December of 1996 — was a 14–0 Eagles loss to the 49ers in San Francisco.
But it’s the NFC Wildcard matchup that occurred just over thirty years ago in December of 1995 at Veterans Stadium that would become one of the most memorable in Eagles history.
The very start of this memorable moment in Philadelphia sports history actually started the week before the game. Ray Rhodes’ Philadelphia team was seeded fourth— but the high-powered Lions, who had an offense ranked #1 in the NFL and #5 in the NFC Playoffs, were actually the favorites going into the game. During the week, Lions Offensive Tackle (Lomas Brown) added fuel to the fire when he guaranteed a win in Philadelphia.
On a frigid afternoon in Philadelphia, the Eagles opened the game with a 3-point advantage. Then the floodgates opened for Philadelphia. Eagles Defensive Back Barry Wilburn took a Scott Mitchell interception twenty-four yards for a score. Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete then connected with Fred Barnett for a twenty-two-yard touchdown. Ricky Watters then plunged in for a one-yard score for Philadelphia. Right before halftime — Eagles wide receiver Rob Carpenter caught a 43-yard Hail Mary to cap a 31-point second quarter and a 38–7 lead at intermission to the thrill of over sixty-six thousand Philadelphia fans.
In the third quarter , Jon Gruden’s offense was still on fire for the Eagles in the cold of January. Eagles running back Ricky Watters would then haul in a forty-five-yard scoring pass from Peete and eventually a 51–7 advantage.
Fans who attended the 58–37 game saw one of the most points ever scored in an NFL Postseason Contest. After another interception by Greg Jackson in the 3rd quarter , Scott Mitchell let loose into a verbal tirade on the sideline, to being benched. Veteran Don Majkowski did attempt to lead the Lions back, but the rally was cut short by a thirty-yard William Thomas interception return for a touchdown. One year later, after a 5–11 start, Wayne Fontes was fired as the Lions’ head coach, and All-Pro running back Barry Sanders retired in 1999.
And the second time that the Eagles played the 49ers in the playoffs?
It was right here at Lincoln Financial Field in the 2023 NFC Championship Game — a 31–7 win for Philadelphia.
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