The 2013 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 81st season in the National Football League, and the first under head coach Chip Kelly. The Eagles improved on their 4-12 record from 2012, finishing 10-6 and clinching the NFC East division title and the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but after a close game, they lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, by a score of 26-24. The season was noted for LeSean McCoy winning the NFL rushing title, and the extremely successful season by Nick Foles where he produced 27 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. It is one of the greatest seasons by any Quarterback in league history. Foles also threw 7 touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders. This tied an NFL record.
The Eagles had a three-quarterback competition with Nick Foles, Michael Vick and Matt Barkley, with Vick winning the job. After Vick got injured, however, Foles took over as quarterback and was eventually named the new starting quarterback despite Vick's return.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Personnel changes
On December 30, 2012, long time head coach Andy Reid was fired. On January 16, 2013, Chip Kelly was hired as the new head coach.
The entire coaching staff, On January 20, Pat Shurmur accepted the offensive coordinator job. Billy Davis accepted the defensive coordinator position on February 7.
Tom Gamble was named Vice President of Player Personnel on February 13, a position that had been vacant since Ryan Grigson left to become general manager of the Indianapolis Colts.
Roster changes
Free agents
Signings
Trades
- On March 15, the Eagles traded their sixth round pick and a conditional 2014 pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for wide receiver Arrelious Benn and the Bucs' 2013 seventh round pick.
- On March 28, the Eagles traded fullback Stanley Havili to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for defensive end Clifton Geathers.
- On April 11, the Eagles traded running back Dion Lewis to the Cleveland Browns for linebacker Emmanuel Acho.
- On August 12, the Eagles traded offensive guard Nate Menkin to the Houston Texans for wide receiver Jeff Maehl.
2013 draft class
Notes
Staff
Final roster
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
The game against the Chiefs was the homecoming for former Eagles coach Andy Reid.
Postseason
Game summaries
Regular season
Week 1: at Washington Redskins
The Eagles started their 2013 season on the road against the Redskins. The Skins would score first when DeAngelo Hall returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown for a 7-0 lead. After this the Eagles dominated scoring 33 straight points as Alex Henery kicked a field goal from 48 yards out to come within 4 for a 7-3 game. Next Michael Vick would find DeSean Jackson on a 25-yard pass as the team took the lead 10-7. On the Skins' next possession, Alfred Morris was tackled in the end zone for a safety making the score 12-7. In the 2nd quarter, the Eagles continued to increase their lead as Vick found Brent Celek on a 28-yard touchdown pass for a 19-7 lead. Later on in the quarter, Vick ran for a 3-yard touchdown bringing the halftime score to 26-7. In the 3rd quarter, LeSean McCoy ran for a 34-yard touchdown bringing the score to 33-7. The Skins started their scoring again as Morris ran for a 5-yard touchdown making the score 33-14. In the 4th quarter, it was all Skins as RG3 found Leonard Hankerson on a 10-yard touchdown pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) for a 33-20 game. Finally, the Skins came within 6 as RG3 and Hankerson connected again this time on a 24-yard pass bringing the final score to 33-27.
With the win, the Eagles would start their season 1-0.
Week 2: vs. San Diego Chargers
The Eagles punted on their first possession. The Chargers took the ball and marched to the Eagles 31, but had to settle for a 49 field goal. The Eagles took the ball next and stormed 75 yards in 5 plays, driving to the Chargers 2, but kicked a field goal.
Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This week marked the return of former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles forced the Chiefs to a quick three-and-out, but the Eagles miffed the punt, and the Chiefs recovered at the Philadelphia 8. A few plays later, Ryan Succop kicked a 33-yard field goal. On Philadelphia's first possession, Michael Vick was intercepted by Eric Berry, on a pass intended for Brent Celek, who returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. After a Chiefs punt, Michael Vick busted off a 61-yard run, setting up his 22-yard touchdown pass to Jason Avant. Zach Ertz attempted to run in the 2 pt. conversion, but failed, keeping the score 10-6. With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter the Eagles drove into Chiefs territory, but Vick was sacked by Justin Houston and fumbled. Two field goals by Ryan Succop was the only scoring of the second quarter, giving the Chiefs a 16-6 halftime lead. An Alex Henery field goal was the only score of the third quarter, giving the Chiefs a 16-9 lead entering the fourth quarter. On their first drive of the fourth quarter, Jamaal Charles capped off a 8 play, 62 yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, making the score 23-9. The Eagles immediately responded with a touchdown of their own, driving 78 yards with a 41-yard touchdown rush by LeSean McCoy, pulling to within 7. However, Kansas City struck the decisive blow with a 15 play, 73 yard drive, taking 8:15 off the clock and Ryan Succop adding his fourth field goals making the score 26-16. On their next drive, Michael Vick completed a 19-yard pass on 3rd-and-10, but guard Todd Herremans was called for holding making it 3rd-and-20 at their own 21. The Eagles turned the ball over on downs. The Chiefs did the same on their next drive. Finally, a strip sack by Justin Houston with recovering for Kansas City, sealed the deal. With the loss, the Eagles lost their second in a row, both being at home. The Eagles out gained Chiefs 431-394 and had more first downs, 21-19, but the Chiefs dominated TOP 39:07 to 20:53 and won the turnover battle 5-0.
Week 4: at Denver Broncos
The Eagles visited Sports Authority Field in Denver to face the Broncos and their #1 offense. The received the ball first, but punted after only four plays. The Broncos took over and stormed 74 yards in only 9 plays to take the early lead. On the drive the Broncos converted three third downs on the drive including one on Peyton Manning's 6-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker. The Eagles responded on their next drive by driving from their own 18 to the Broncos 17, but had to settle for Henery's 35-yard field goal. On the ensuing kickoff Trindon Holliday returned the kick 105 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-3. The Eagles then engineered an insane 15 play 73 yard drive to the 7-yard line, but the Broncos kept them out of the end zone and Henery kicked a 25-yard field goal. After a Broncos three-and-out, the Eagles finally managed to reach the end zone. They needed only 7 plays to go 64 yards. A 35-yard completion to Bryce Brown on 3rd-and-11 moved the ball to the Denver 4. Two plays later Chris Polk rushed for a 4-yard touchdown, trimming the score to 14-13. Denver responded by marching 80 yards in 11 plays in a drive that took over 6 minutes off the clock and increased the lead to 21-13 after a Knowshon Moreno 4-yard touchdown run. Both teams punted to close out thet half. Denver started where they left off, driving 80 yards in one less play culminating in Manning's 1-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas. Manning threw for 44 yards on the drive. After an Eagles punt, the Broncos ate 80 more yards on another touchdown drive which. Manning continued to pick apart the Eagles secondary throwing for 58 yards on the drive which concluded with Manning once again connecting with Demaryius Thomas on a touchdown, this one for 15 yards, extending the lead to 35-13. The Eagles offense continued sputter as they punted again. The Broncos were completely the opposite, they stayed red-hot, driving 65 yards for another touchdown, increasing the lead to 42-13. Manning added 56 more yards and a 4-yard touchdown pass to Welker. The Broncos forced the Eagles to punt again, but Steven Johnson blocked it and returned it 17-yards for a touchdown, making the score 49-13. The Eagles finally managed to avoid punting on their next drive, but Henery missed a 46-yard field goal. Matt Prater made one from 53-yards away on the Broncos next drive to make the score 52-13. The Eagles managed to march 80 yards on their next drive with Nick Foles hitting Jeff Maehl for a 6-yard touchdown pass to close the scoring. The Broncos held the ball for the final 4:35 to end the game. The Eagles lost their third in a row to fall to 1-3 on the season.
Week 5: at New York Giants
Nick Foles would relieve an injured Michael Vick. With the win, the Eagles became 2-3.
Week 6: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With the win, the Eagles improved to 3-3.
Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys
With the loss, the Eagles fell to 3-4.
Week 8: vs. New York Giants
Nick Foles was injured again, so Michael Vick was re inserted into the starting role . But, after a few series , Matt Barkley took his place. The only touchdown in the entire game was during the 4th quarter after a botched snap for a punt was made by the Giants. The ball was recovered by the Eagles defense in the Giants' endzone for the touchdown. With the loss, the Eagles fell to 3-5.
Week 9: at Oakland Raiders
Nick Foles tied an NFL record in this game with 7 touchdown passes.
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers
Nick Foles would throw 3 touchdown passes in this game, and they intercepted Scott Tolzien twice. Aaron Rodgers would not start for the Packers, as he would miss the game with a collarbone injury.
With the win, the Eagles evened their record at 5-5.
Week 11: vs. Washington Redskins
A late game rally by Washington led them to the Eagles' 26 yard line. A shot to the end zone by Robert Griffin III would be intercepted by Brandon Boykin, clinching an Eagles win. The Eagles would move to 6-5.
Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
With the win, the Eagles improved to 7-5.
Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions
In a blinding snowstorm, with at least 8" of snow on the field by the end of the game, LeSean McCoy broke the Eagles single-game rushing record with 217 yards on the ground. Snow Bowl (2013)
Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings
With the loss, the Eagles fell to 8-6.
Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears
The Eagles thumped the Chicago Bears 54-11 on Sunday Night Football. Nick Foles would go 21/25 for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns. LeSean McCoy would run the ball 18 times, and rushed for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Eagles would eventually towards the end bring bench players to finish the game. Bryce Brown would run for a 65 yard touchdown with 6:14 to go with Michael Vick at the quarterback helm. This was the first game in NFL history to end with a final score of 54-11.
With the convincing win, the Eagles improved to 9-6, and will face their arch rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, next Sunday Night for the division crown.
Week 17: at Dallas Cowboys
This game would end when Kyle Orton threw an interception late in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Eagles improved to 10-6 and sealed NFC East Championship and 3rd seed in the playoffs. They would also be the third team in a row to defeat the Cowboys in the last game of the regular season (Sunday Night Football: Week 17).
Postseason
NFC Wild Card Playoff Game: vs. #6 New Orleans Saints
The Eagles hosted the Saints in the Wild Card round. This was the first playoff game between the Saints and Eagles since the 2006 NFC Divisional Playoff game, which New Orleans won 26-24. The Saints had never won a road playoff game coming into this game. Philadelphia would lead 24-23 with less than a minute remaining. But the Saints would march down the field to win it with a Shayne Graham field goal as time expired.
With the heartbreaking loss, the Eagles ended the season with an overall record of 10-7.
Standings
Division
Conference
Source of the article : Wikipedia
EmoticonEmoticon