Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles enjoyed a brief heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, only to lapse into a dismal swamp of disappointing seasons. In the last few years, however, the team has become one of the fiercest franchises in the NFL.

The team began as the Frankford (Pennsylvania) Yellow Jackets in 1924, and then transformed into the Philadelphia Eagles after moving to Philly. The name was changed to honor the symbol of the National Recovery Administration, a relief program that was part of the New Deal.

From 1948 to 1960, the Philadelphia Eagles won three NFL titles with head coach Earle "Greasy" Neale. He had picked an offense staffed with end Pete Pihos, halfback Steve Van Buren, and center Chuck Bednarik. Another NFL title in 1962 followed, and then the Eagles did not reach the playoffs until 1978, under coach Dick Vermeil. The coach took the Philadelphia Eagles to four playoff games in a row until 1981. In that last year, they made it to the Super Bowl, but lost to the Oakland Raiders 27-10. The team was led by wide receiver Harold Carmichael and quarterback Ron Jaworski.

Like a phoenix, the Philadelphia Eagles rose again in 1988, when they made it to the postseason rounds. Their star was rising with an offensive line focused on Randall Cunningham, a running quarterback who threw for 30 touchdowns and rushed for more than 1000 yards in 1990. The team won Wild Card spots in the playoffs in 1995 and 1996.

With Coach Andy Reid, the Philadelphia Eagles enjoyed the greatest turnaround in franchise history, finishing in the second spot in the NFC East with a record of 11-5 in 2000. His quarterback Donovan McNabb has ensured that the Eagles consistently make it to the playoffs since then.