Written by Pablo Figueroa at Sporting Charts
In what may have been the final game of Coach Tom Coughlin’s illustrious career, the Philadelphia Eagles took a hard-fought 35-30 victory over the New York Giants to close out the 2015 NFL season. While the victory should have been a positive note in a game between eliminated teams, it served just as the closing tune to a somber week for the franchise, who was fresh off the firing of Coach Chip Kelly, just days before finishing the third year of his tenure. The move seemed premature but yet unavoidable considering the state of the Eagles, who underachieved and looked out of tune for most of the season.
Seeing the Eagles out of playoff contention also served as a reminder of the hard times suffered by the teams that play in Philadelphia, who have endured a rough stretch since the turn of the decade. With the Flyers and 76ers all but out of the playoff race in their respective leagues, it will mean that each Philadelphia team will now be with at least two straight season with no playoff appearances, while the last postseason victories came in 2012.
In a city where fan bases are passionate and vocal, seeing all these historic teams flounder to the bottom must really be rough, especially during an era in which playoff fields have been expanded and the leagues’ structures are made to produce quick rebounds to contention. And yet, it is quite likely that at least one of these teams can rise from its funk to put Philadelphia back in the map in the near future.
Today we take a look at the state of each of Philly’s professional franchises, how they got to their current state, and its prospects of returning to relevance.
Philadelphia Eagles
5-year record: 39-41 (.487)
Last playoff appearance: 2013 Wild Card
Last playoff win: 2008 Divisional Round
When Chip Kelly was hired, he was considered the NFL’s next great coach, and seemed poised to guide the Eagles in a new era of success following Andy Reid’s long tenure. Instead, he became yet another cautionary tale of a college coach turning to the pros, especially after the team fell apart with Kelly taking over personnel decisions. While Kelly´s overall record was a positive 26-21 with a division title, it became clear that a change was necessary.
The bad news for the Eagles is that they are now left with Kelly’s roster, which may not have been such a great fit in the first place, but they also have a number of positive factors to consider as they move forward.
Their final win cost them a few spots in next year’s draft, but they will still have the 13th overall pick, money to spend, and a number of above-average skill position players to build a team around. Year 1 of the Sam Bradford + DeMarco Murray was a bust, but they should remain the offensive foundation of a team that remained in the playoff hunt deep into the end of the season. Also, the Eagles have the advantage of playing in the NFC East, where dysfunction is the norm and 2016 should begin with no clear favorite.
After reaching the postseason 9 times from 2000 to 2010, the Eagles are now in the middle of the franchise’s worst stretch since the early 80’s. And yet, the outlook is not as glum for a team that may be a couple of adjustments from returning to relevance. The next coach’s selection will be key, as the Eagles are Philly´s best bet to deliver a comeback.
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