One Year Ago Today, The Eagles Made History

Not only did the Eagles not make a return trip to the Super Bowl this year, and not only did the reviled Patriots reprise their appearance, and not only was their opponent a team from Los Angeles, a city whose success is just as fatiguing to the sports fans' ear, but on top of all that: the game was less than thrilling. Until the 4th quarter, it looked more like the score of a hockey game.

Luckily, Eagles fans can now do what they could never do before last year: console themselves with the absolute glory of the past.

Feb. 4 is more than just the day after the 2019 Super Bowl. It's exactly one year from the day of the 2018 Super Bowl. The one where the favored Patriots flopped on their final drive. Where Patriots quarterback Tom Brady dropped a pass, and Saint Nick Foles caught one.

Where the Patriots lost in their bid to win yet another ring, and the Birds won their first in franchise history.

There were many great moments, but the defining one, the one that is almost as big as the game, as the season itself, looked like this:

It was fourth down and goal. Seconds remained in the first half of the most momentous game of their entire lives. On the field a legendary nemesis had been beaten back on their heels, and here was chance for a knockout blow. The stuff of which backyard childhood fantasies are made.

The ball was snapped not to Foles, who slid to the right a moment before, but to the running back Clement. Clement then turned and tossed the ball to tight end Trey Burton. Foles ran a few steps into the end zone and turned, catching the pass from Burton.

With the catch, the Birds went up 22-12 heading into the half. They were in total control in that first half, but the Patriots roared back, taking a brief lead, 33-32.

On a 4th quarter drive, Foles worked the Eagles up to their own 46 yard line with just over five minutes remaining. The Patriots slowed their drive, however, and that brought things to 4th down once again. 4th and 1. If they missed, they'd turn the ball over with great field position for the Patriots.

Foles dropped back and under heavy pressure tossed to Zach Ertz, who had just enough for the first down.

After several bullets downfield to bring the Birds into scoring position, Foles went to Ertz again:

It would prove to be the winning score of the game, but the Patriots didn't know that yet. They had the most accomplished quarterback in playoff and NFL history at the helm, with 2 minutes remaining and the chance to win it all with a touchdown.

But Eagles' defensive end Brandon Graham had other ideas.

As Brady dropped back the Eagles rushed, and Graham got a hand on Brady, knocking the ball loose. And:

The Eagles recovered. Several Eagles players sprinted across the field, hands on their heads in shock and joy. It was the play that effectively clinched the game.

Brady and the Patriots of course returned to the Super Bowl in 2019. And won another ring. But there was no such triumph for New England on this day a year ago: the first Super Bowl in franchise history, the city's first world championship in a decade, and one of the most legendary moments in Philadelphia sports history.

See more Eagles coverage below:

• Carson Wentz Responds To Accusatory Report: 'I Know I Have Flaws'
• How Eagles Players Responded To That Report About Carson Wentz
• WATCH: Nick Foles Calls Legendary 'Philly Special' In Super Bowl
• Eagles Defeat Patriots To Win First Ever Super Bowl

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