This Day in Philly Sports History

On this day in 1981 the Eagles beat the Vikings 31-16 in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.  The Vikings jumped out 14-0 before the Eagles defense took over.  At the end of the day they forced 8 turnovers in what tunred out to be a very sloppy game at the Vet.

On this day in 2012 the Flyers lost to the Rangers 3-2 in the Winter Classic played at Citizen's Bank Park.  It also was Eric Lindros' return to Philly as he played for the Flyers in the alumni game associated with the Winter Classic

On this day in 1935 the Temple Owls and Tulane Green Wave played in the inaugural Sugar Bowl.  The game was played in the old Tulane Stadium and the "home" team won 20-14.  Temple wouldn't make another bowl game until 1979. 

On this day in 2000, the Eagles beat the Buccaneers 21-3 in the NFC Wildcard game.  The win was Andy Reid's and Donovan McNabb's first playoff wins as Eagles.  This game directly led to me purchasing season tickets to the Birds.

On this day in 1995 the Eagles beat the Lions 58-37 at the Vet in the NFC wildcard game.  The Eagles came out motivated after Detroit's All-Pro tackle, Lomas Brown, guaranteed a victory and disrespected the Eagles players. 

On this day in 2009 the Temple Owls lost to the UCLA Bruins 30-21 in the Eagle Bank Bowl in Washington, D.C.  It was the Owls' first bowl game since 1979 but wouldn't be their last duirng the next 10 years. 

On this day in 2008 the Eagles received late Christmas gifts from the Raiders and Texans and suddenly were in a win and get in scenario in their game vs the Cowboys.  The came out and dominated 44-6 and ultimately went on an improbable run to the NFC Championship Game.

On this day in 2009 the Eagles beat the Broncos 30-27 in what would turn out to be Donovan McNabb's final home game as an Eagle.  He went 20-35 for 332 yards, 3 TDs, and interception and fumble.

On this day in 1960 the Eagles defeated the Packers 17-13 to win the NFL Championship.  It was the only playoff defeat for legendary coach Vince Lombardi and the last time Eagles would be champs until 57 years later.

Merry Christmas.  On this day in 2006 the Eagles beat the Cowboys 23-6 in Dallas.  The Defense dominated and Brian Westbrook had 122 yards. 

On this day in 1978, the Eagles lost to the Falcons in the NFC Wild Card game 14-13.  Punter Mike Michel, filling in for an injured Nick Mike-Mayer, missed an extra point and a field goal with 13 seconds left.  The Eagles led 13-0 unitl Steve Bartkowski thew 2 touchdowns in the last 5 minutes.

On this day in 1990 the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 17-3 in a game in which the defense dominated.  They also moved one step closer to a home playoff game, needed to beat the Phoenix Cardinals in the final game to clinch.  Calvin Williams caught a Keith Byars pass for a touchdown and Eric Allen scored on an interception return.

On this day in 2014 the Temple Owls crushed the #10 Kansas Jayhawks 77-52 at the Wells Fargo Center.  Will Cummings had 19 while Quenton DeCosey and Jesse Morgan added 18 and 17 respectively.  The Owls would fail to make the NCAA Tournament but made a run to the NIT semi-finals before returning to the Big Dance the following season.

On this day in 2017 the Temple Owls beat the FIU Panthers 28-3 in the Gasparilla Bowl.  Quarterback Frank Nutile won the MVP for the Owls who finished 7-6 in Geoff Collins' first year as head coach.

On this day in 2004, the Sixers lost to the Jazz 103-101.  Allen Iverson scored 51 points and had 7 steals.  This was the 2nd consecutive game in which he scored over 50 points, becoming the only player in Sixers history to do so.  Until Joel Embiid scored 50 in 2020-2021 this was the last time any one scored 50 for the Sixers.

It's victory Monday in Philly.  On this day in 1948 the Eagles beat the Chicago Cardinals 7-0 at Shibe Park to win their first NFL Championship.  The 7-0 score is the lowest score in an NFL Championship game.

On this day in 1949 the Eagles beat the Rams 14-0 to win their second consecutive NFL Championship.  This was the first NFL Championship game played in the west.  Steve Van Buren rushed for 196 yards and the Eagles defense shut dow L.A.  Today they take on the Bears.  Will it be a let down spot for the Birds?

On this day in 2011 the Temple Owls beat Wyoming Cowboys 37-15 in the New Mexico Bowl.  It was the Owls 2nd bowl game in 3 years after years of irrelevance.  The Owls finished 9-4 in Steve Addazio's first year on North Broad.

Let's take it back to 79.  This day in 1979 the Eagles beat the Oilers 26-20 at the Astrodome to clinch a wild card spot.  Wilbert Montgomery broke his own Eagles single season rushing record of 1,220 yards, finishing with 1,512 yards (which later would be broken by Lesean McCoy).  The Eagles would be the Bears in the Wild Card round before losing the Buccaneers in the Divisional Ro...

On this day in 1968 the legend of Philly fans was born.  At halftime of the Eagles/Vikings game, a young Frank Olivo filled in as Santa Claus due to the original not being able to make because of a snowstorm.  Eagles fans, not happy with the team, let Olivo know how they felt by booing and pelting him with snowballs.  54 years later the Eagles fans still hear, "they thew snowballs a...

On this day in 1980 the Sixers beat the Nets 114-109 behind Dr. J's 25 point, 8 rebound night.  It was their 6th win in a row and they improved to 26-4.  The defending Eastern Conference champs were looking to get back to the NBA Finals.  

On this day in 1994 the Sixers beat the Heat 105-90 at the Spectrum.  Willie Burton scored 53 points on 12-19 shooting, including 5-8 from 3 point range.  Burton has the lowest career point total of anyone who has scored 50+ in an NBA game.  We also received some good Eagles injury news yesterday.

It's Victory Monday as the Eagles destroyed the Giants yesterday.  On this day in 1987 the #11 ranked Temple Owls defeated the Rhode Island Rams 75-66 at McGonigle Hall.  The Owls would go on to be #1 in the country before losing to Duke in the Elite 8.

On this day in 1982 the Sixers bounced back from a loss to beat the Pistons 128-111.  Dr. J had 44 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 8 blocks.  We also preview the Eagles vs. the Giants 

On this day in 1989 the Eagles beat the Cowboys 20-10 in Bounty Bowl II.  After a snowstorm earlier in the week the city of Philadelphia did not shovel out the Vet leaving snow and ice readily available to be hurled onto the field.  Nobody was safe.