Eagles Notes (Hurts)

It did hurt as the (10-1) Philadelphia Eagles won (37-34) vs (6-6) Buffalo Bills in a late Sunday afternoon/early evening “Poo’er,” (Romo, who I warned against when the media gushed about him and now is finally getting the so justified harsh criticism he deserves, called for a fake before Mr. (Josh) Elliott nailed a very clutch, game tying 59 yard field goal.

In games in which Jalen Hurts has played in the last 2 seasons, let’s just say, Philly has a (24-2) “reg” record and (26-3) counting ‘offs, which unfortunately for them including a really tough, questionable Supe loss to the Reid coached Chiefs.

Speaking of Reid, with him, the “Iggles” started 2004 with a (13-1) record then rested their starters in 2 losses, before riding the “1” seed to an NFC Title Game win after losses in that “semis” round (’01-’03, the last two at home).

Philly also had a great start last season, also going (13-1) before an injury kept Hurts out for 2 tilts before his return, in a “ho-hum” no cover vs the Giants that clinched the NFC one seed.

Again and in a similar season to ’04, the Eagles “rode” the “1” to the Supe but were not NFL #1 as they lost a truly tough Supe vs K.C.

Philly “fast started” (alliteration?) in both ’80 and ’81, going (11-1) before losing three of their last 4 games, the final one by the needed less than 25 points at Dallas in a quirky tiebreaker and thus won the “div.”

They were denied the “1” which went to Atlanta (Falcons)–(those 2 teams met in the first NFC and NFL (Oilers over and at Dolphins was the later tilt) wild card round game) but still played both NFC ‘offs games at home as Dallas “Slot 4’d” Atlanta (the great Lindsey Nelson was the national radio broadcaster and I “called” some of the pulsating action for my Dad in another room).

The next week, when I ought to have attended funeral services for either Ann Locker or Edlee Waldman (spelling? on each first name?–Eleanor Waldman is still alive and 97 or 98), I forget which, but instead watched and on the Eagles’ second play with another great, Pat “Super” Summerall behind the TV mike it was “all the way” (cue “The Raspberries and Eric Carmen) as Wilbert burst 42 yards, yielding (7-0) Eagles and eventually another trip to a losing Supe. (see ’04 and 2022 and I will have a “treat” along with Wilbert’s surname soon).

In ’81, Philly began (9-2) before “being run into by the Ray Perkins coached first New York Giants ‘offs team in 18 years.

One might say they were “run into” by those Giants thrice, first with a jarring tackle on a punt return, in that “reg” game the Giants won and after Philly went (9-2) to (9-6) to (10-6), ’twas the Giants led by Rob Carpenter and again with “Super” “presiding” that won, ending the Eagles’ season.

Finally in 2017, a great Eagles start occurred in a title season, the first for the Eagles in 57 years and after 56 (that # at which much has ended-Mr. Lincoln’s life and Mr. DiMaggio’s hit skein, to name two) seasons sans one.

That season they started (10-1), the loss to the Andy Reid coached Chiefs (he has 2 crowns, the ads so I cite his first name), then (13-2) before again a “reg” finale, meaningless game before again, for a third time (now 4 and in all likelihood if they prevail vs (9-3) S.F. at home this week will get a chance to do so for a fourth time and also get a chance to play both NFC ‘offs games at home for a fifth time with ’80,’04, ’17 and ’22 the previous four).