1979 Philadelphia Eagles season

Last updated

1979 Philadelphia Eagles season
Owner Leonard Tose
General manager Jim Murray
Head coach Dick Vermeil
Home field Veterans Stadium
Results
Record11–5
Division place2nd NFC East
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Bears) 27–17
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Buccaneers) 17–24
The Eagles playing against the Buccaneers in the 1979 NFC Divisional Playoff Game. 1986 Jeno's Pizza - 20 - Cecil Johnson.jpg
The Eagles playing against the Buccaneers in the 1979 NFC Divisional Playoff Game.

The 1979 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 47th season in the National Football League (NFL).

Contents

They appeared in the postseason for the second consecutive year, an attainment that the team had not achieved for three decades. They would make the playoffs again in the following two seasons before a six-year drought. The Eagles managed to host and win their first playoff game since 1960.

Offseason

After going 9–7 in the 1978 season and making the playoffs, the Eagles found themselves having to follow rule 3 of the draft – "Teams that made the playoffs are then ordered by which round of the playoffs they are eliminated" – meaning four teams with a record the same or better than the Eagles would pick in front of them.

NFL Draft

The 1979 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 3–4, 1979 in New York City. As was started with the 1977 NFL Draft, this was 12 rounds.

The Philadelphia Eagles got the 19th to the 21st picks in the 12 rounds. They had overcome the traded-away draft picks of the Mike McCormack era. The Eagles had waited but they finally had a first-round pick and other low-round draft picks. They would use these and build a team as 7 of the 10 draft picks made the team for the coming years.

The draft began with first overall pick of Tom Cousineau, linebacker from Ohio State, by the Buffalo Bills. With the number 7 pick the New York Giants selected Phil Simms, a quarterback from Morehead State. The crowd, made up of mostly New York fans, voiced their displeasure of his selection.

Player selections

The table shows the Eagles selections and what picks they had that were traded away and the team that ended up with that pick. It is possible the Eagles' pick ended up with this team via another trade the Eagles made. Not shown are acquired picks that the Eagles traded away.

= Pro Bowler [1] = Hall of Famer
RoundPickPlayerPositionSchool
121 Jerry Robinson LB UCLA
248 Petey Perot G Northwestern State University
374 Tony Franklin Kicker Texas A & M
494 Ben Cowins RB Arkansas
5126 Scott Fitzkee TE Penn State
6158Pick Traded to New York Giants
7178Don SwaffordOT Florida
7185Curtis BuncheDT Albany State
8196 Chuck Correal CPenn State
8211 Max Runager Punter South Carolina
9Pick Traded to
10Pick Traded to
11296 Al Chesley LB Pittsburgh
12Pick Traded to

Roster

1979 Philadelphia Eagles roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad



Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordAttendance
1September 2, 1979 New York Giants W 23–171–067,366
2September 10, 1979 Atlanta Falcons L 14–101–166,935
3September 16, 1979at New Orleans Saints W 26–142–154,212
4September 23, 1979at New York Giants W 17–133–174,265
5September 30, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers W 17–144–170,352
6October 7, 1979 Washington Redskins W 28–175–169,142
7October 14, 1979at St. Louis Cardinals W 24–206–148,367
8October 21, 1979at Washington Redskins L 17–76–254,442
9October 28, 1979at Cincinnati Bengals L 37–136–342,036
10November 4, 1979 Cleveland Browns L 24–196–469,019
11November 12, 1979at Dallas Cowboys W 31–217–462,417
12November 18, 1979 St. Louis Cardinals W 16–138–470,235
13November 25, 1979at Green Bay Packers W 21–109–450,023
14December 2, 1979 Detroit Lions W 44–710–466,128
15December 8, 1979 Dallas Cowboys L 24–1710–571,434
16December 16, 1979at Houston Oilers W 26–2011–549,407

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[2]

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
Period1234Total
Steelers070714
Eagles0710017

at Veterans StadiumPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

Week 6

Week 6: Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
Period1234Total
Redskins0701017
Eagles7714028

at Veterans StadiumPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

Week 7

Week 8

Week 8: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
Period1234Total
Eagles00077
Redskins077317

at RFK StadiumWashington, D.C.

Game information

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Period1234Total
Eagles7107731
Cowboys7001421

at Texas StadiumIrving, Texas

Game information

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

Week 15: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Period1234Total
Cowboys1007724
Eagles370717

at Veterans StadiumPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

Week 16

Week 16: Philadelphia Eagles at Houston Oilers
Period1234Total
Eagles937726
Oilers01001020

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

Game information

Standings

NFC East
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Dallas Cowboys (1)1150.6886–210–2371313W3
Philadelphia Eagles (4)1150.6886–29–3339282W1
Washington Redskins 1060.6255–38–4348295L1
New York Giants 6100.3751–75–9237323L3
St. Louis Cardinals 5110.3132–64–8307358L1

Playoffs

RoundDateOpponentResultAttendance
Wildcard December 23, 1979 Chicago Bears W 27–1769,397
Divisional December 29, 1979at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 24–1771,402

Wild card

Divisional

Awards and honors

Related Research Articles

The 1988 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 29th season in the National Football League. The team failed to improve on their 7–8 record from 1987, finishing at 3–13 and missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season. The 3-13 record in the 1988 season was the Cowboys' second worst season to that point in team history, surpassed only by its winless inaugural season in 1960.

The 1991 season was the Washington Redskins' 60th in the National Football League (NFL), their 55th representing Washington, D.C., and the eleventh under head coach Joe Gibbs.

The 1980 Green Bay Packers season was their 62nd season overall and their 60th in the National Football League (NFL). The team posted a 5–10–1 record under coach Bart Starr, earning them a fifth-place finish in the NFC Central division.

The 1979 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 48th season in the National Football League. The team improved on their 8–8 record from 1978 and finishing 10–6. Although the Redskins were able to improve their record, they were eliminated from playoff contention on the final week of the season after facing the Dallas Cowboys with the NFC East title on the line. Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach led a last-minute comeback to defeat Washington 35–34 to win the division, which combined with the Chicago Bears defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 42–6, resulted in the Redskins losing a points tiebreaker for the final wild-card slot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 Washington Redskins season</span> NFL team season (lost in Super Bowl)

The 1972 Washington Redskins season was the 41st in the National Football League (NFL) and the 36th in Washington, D.C. The Redskins were trying to build on the success of the previous season, in which they had finished 9–4–1 and made the postseason for the first time in 26 seasons. They ultimately finished the year 11–3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Houston Texans season</span> Inaugural season for the Texans

The 2002 season was the Houston Texans' debut season in the National Football League and the first NFL season for the city of Houston since the Oilers moved to Tennessee to become the Titans in 1997. Their coaching staff was headed by Dom Capers, who previously coached the expansion Carolina Panthers when they debuted in 1995. The divisional realignment also placed the Texans and Titans in the same division.

The 1978 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 46th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Eagles reached the postseason for the first time since their championship-winning season in 1960, which ended the longest postseason drought in the franchise's history and one of the longest in the history of the NFL. The Eagles ended their playoff drought by winning their final game in the regular season and needing either the Minnesota Vikings or Green Bay Packers to lose - both teams ended up losing and thus earned a wild card entry. This was also the first season since 1966 in which the franchise finished the season with a winning record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 Philadelphia Eagles season</span> NFL team season

The 1990 Philadelphia Eagles season was the team's 58th in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 Philadelphia Eagles season</span> NFL team season

The Philadelphia Eagles played their 54th season in the National Football League (NFL) in 1986. The team was unable to improve upon their previous output win total of seven. Instead, the team finished with five wins, ten losses and one tie. This was the fifth consecutive season in which the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 56th season in franchise history

The 2016 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 56th in the National Football League and their third under head coach Mike Zimmer. After starting the season with five consecutive wins prior to their bye week, the Vikings managed just three victories after the bye and were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 with a 38–25 road loss to the Packers. They joined the 1978 Redskins, 1993 Saints, 2003 Vikings, 2009 Broncos, 2009 Giants and 2015 Falcons in missing the playoffs after starting 5–0 or better. The Vikings are the only NFL team to have more than once started 5–0 or better and missed the playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 59th season in franchise history

The 2019 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 59th in the National Football League (NFL), their fourth playing home games at U.S. Bank Stadium and their sixth under head coach Mike Zimmer. They improved on their 8–7–1 campaign from 2018 with a Week 14 win over the Detroit Lions, and returned to the playoffs following a one-year absence after the Los Angeles Rams lost to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. That week, the Vikings were eliminated from contention for the NFC North division title, losing 23–10 to the Green Bay Packers. They defeated the New Orleans Saints 26–20 in overtime in the Wild Card round but lost 27–10 to the eventual NFC champion San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Philadelphia Eagles season</span> 87th season in franchise history

The 2019 season was the Philadelphia Eagles' 87th in the National Football League (NFL) and fourth under head coach Doug Pederson. The Eagles acquired many key players, including wide receiver DeSean Jackson, running back Jordan Howard and defensive tackle Malik Jackson. With these offseason moves, the Eagles were listed as Super Bowl contenders. However, inconsistent play aided by injuries on both sides of the ball plagued the Eagles early in the year. Despite a 5–7 start, the Eagles won their last four games against divisional opponents and matched their 9–7 record from 2018. The Eagles clinched the NFC East division title, but were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round by a score of 17–9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 New York Jets season</span> 60th season in franchise history

The 2019 season was the New York Jets' 50th in the National Football League, their 60th overall in professional football, their 10th playing home games at MetLife Stadium, their first under general manager Joe Douglas and their first under head coach Adam Gase. This year the team began featuring a new logo and uniform for the first time since 1998. With this new uniform design, the Jets began going for a modern appearance, tweaking the shade of green and adding a black accent similar to what the Arizona Cardinals did in 2005. The Jets improved on their 4–12 record from 2018 but missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season after wins by the Titans and Steelers in Week 14. They started the season 1–7, but rallied to win six of their last eight, finishing 7–9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Jacksonville Jaguars season</span> 26th season in franchise history

The 2020 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 26th season in the National Football League (NFL), their eighth and final season under general manager David Caldwell and their fourth and final season under head coach Doug Marrone. With a Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Jaguars dropped to 1–9 resulting in their third consecutive losing season and their ninth in ten seasons. After a loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, the Jaguars both failed to improve on their 6–10 record from the previous season and were eliminated from playoff contention for the third consecutive season. They surpassed their loss total from the previous season after an overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Philadelphia Eagles season</span> 89th season in franchise history

The 2021 season was the Philadelphia Eagles' 89th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Nick Sirianni. They improved on their 4–11–1 record from the previous season after a 40–29 win against the New Orleans Saints in Week 11 and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence. This was the Eagles' first season since 2015 without quarterback Carson Wentz, as he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Houston Texans season</span> 21st season in franchise history

The 2022 season was the Houston Texans' 21st in the National Football League (NFL) and their only season under Lovie Smith, following the firing of David Culley at the end of the 2021 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Indianapolis Colts season</span> 70th season in franchise history

The 2022 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 70th in the National Football League (NFL), their 39th in Indianapolis, their sixth under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard and their fifth and final season under head coach Frank Reich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Jacksonville Jaguars season</span> American football season

The 2022 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 28th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Doug Pederson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Washington Commanders season</span> 91st season in franchise history; final season under Daniel Snyder

The 2022 season was the Washington Commanders' 91st in the National Football League (NFL) and their third under head coach Ron Rivera. This was the team's first season under the Commanders branding, with new logos and uniforms being introduced after temporarily playing as the Washington Football Team for the previous two seasons following the retirement of the Redskins branding in 2020. The team placed fourth in the NFC East and missed the playoffs with an 8–8–1 record. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, punter Tress Way, and special teamer Jeremy Reaves made the 2023 Pro Bowl, with Reaves also being named first-team All-Pro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 63rd season in franchise history

The 2023 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 63rd in the National Football League (NFL), their eighth playing their home games at U.S. Bank Stadium and their second under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. After starting 0–3 for the second time in the past four seasons, and losing to the Chiefs in Week 5, they failed to improve upon their 13–4 record from 2022. However, after having a 1–4 record, the Vikings would win 5 games straight, going to a 6–4 record. But that wouldn't be enough, as after that they would go 1–6 in their last games. After their fifth loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 11, they were unable to match the previous season's record. In Week 16, they were knocked out of division contention following a loss to the Detroit Lions, and in Week 18, they were eliminated from playoff contention after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers. For the first time since 2013, the Vikings had a double-digit losing season. During Minnesota's Week 8 game against their division rival, the Green Bay Packers, starting quarterback Kirk Cousins ruptured his achilles tendon, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

References

  1. Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro-Bowl at any time in their career.
  2. "1979 Philadelphia Eagles Statistics & Players".