Formed in 1933, the Eagles struggled in their early years, but became dominant in the 1940s, making 3 straight championship games from 1947-49,
winning titles in the '
48 and '49 games. Under the leadership of quarterback Norm Van Brocklin, they won their third and most recent title in 1960. The team struggled for many years afterward, turning it around only in the
late 1970s. From 1978-81, the team went on a streak of consecutive playoff berths that included a loss in 1980's Super
Bowl XV. Under the multitalented quarterback Randall Cunningham, the team had 4 playoff berths between 1988-92, and followed these runs up with 2 more postseason apperances later in the decade. In the early
2000s, the Eagles were one of football's best teams with 5 straight playoff berths from 2000-04. However,
Philadelphia's postseason record was dismal and it included 3 consecutive home NFC championship losses. The team finally made the Super Bowl in
2004, but lost a close one to the Patriots. In 2005, the Eagles collapsed, due in part to the Terrell Owens fiasco, and finished with a poor record.
"The Patriots have won their third world championship in four seasons! And all the
Philadelphia Eagles can do is sit and wonder. They come up just
short in another crucial playoff game, losing Super
Bowl XXXIX."