'Big Red': Looking back at Chiefs coach Andy Reid's playoff success with the Philadelphia Eagles
Andy Reid is leading the Chiefs on a pretty historic run.
On Sunday, Kansas City will play in its fourth straight AFC Championship game when the Chiefs host the Cincinnati Bengals. A win would send his team to the Super Bowl for the third straight time.
This is the second time in his career he’s advanced to four straight conference championships.
Before he was calling plays for Patrick Mahomes, he spent a lot of time doing the same in Philadelphia for Donovan McNabb and the Eagles.
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At times, Reid drove Philadelphia fans crazy. The clock management, the press conferences, his refusal to run the ball, but looking back, he coached the Eagles during the glory days.
Here is a look at all of Reid’s playoff wins.
2000
Eagles 21, Buccaneers 3
After winning 11 games during the regular season in Reid’s second year, the Eagles scored 21 unanswered points on the strength of two touchdown passes from McNabb, one each to Na Brown and Jeff Thompson, and another rushing TD from the quarterback. The next week, the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs in a 20-10 setback to the Giants.
2001
Eagles 31, Buccaneers 9
For the second straight year, the Eagles booted Tampa Bay from the playoffs after once again holding the Bucs to just field goals. On offense, the 11-win Eagles got two passing scores from McNabb, one to Duce Staley, the other to Chad Lewis, and rushing scores from Staley and Correll Buckhalter to get the win. Defensive back Damon Moore sealed the deal with a TD on an interception return.
Eagles 33, Chicago Bears 19
While Philly was dealing with a Saturday snowstorm, the Eagles were red hot in Chicago, knocking off the Bears after McNabb threw for two scores and ran for another. The game changed when defensive end Hugh Douglas sent Bears quarterback Jim Miller to the bench with a separated shoulder. Philly’s run ended a week later when it failed to upset the St. Louis Rams in Reid's first NFC championship game.
2002
Eagles 20, Falcons 6
After enjoying a first-round bye, the Eagles beat up on Michael Vick and the Falcons to advance to the NFC Championship game for the second straight year. Bobby Taylor returned an interception for the first score of the game and McNabb’s 35-yard touchdown pass to James Thrash closed the scoring. The Eagles dropped a heartbreaker to Tampa Bay in the final game at the Vet a week later for Reid's second straight defeat in the NFC title game.
2003
Eagles 20, Packers 17
The fourth-and-26 game saw the Eagles advance in a game they had no business winning. Freddie Mitchell hauled in a 28-yard pass from McNabb to keep the game alive, allowing the Eagles to send the game to overtime. Brett Favre then threw an interception in overtime to future hall-of-famer Brian Dawkins, allowing David Akers to send the Eagles back to the NFC Championship game. McNabb threw for two touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards to lead the Eagles. Just like My Cousin Vinny, the third time was not the charm for the Eagles in the NFC Championship game. They fell to the Carolina Panthers, who advanced to the Super Bowl.
2004
Eagles 27, Vikings 14
Mitchell hauled in a pair of touchdowns from McNabb and Brian Westbrook caught another to give the Eagles the win. Jeremiah Trotter and Ike Reese both had interceptions.
Eagles 27, Falcons 10
For the second straight year, the Eagles sent the Falcons packing and finally advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1980 with the win. Lewis scored two touchdowns on passes from McNabb and Dorsey Levens ran for another. The Eagles lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, despite 9 catches and 122 yards from Terrell Owens.
2006
Eagles 23, Giants 20
After missing the playoffs the previous year, the Eagles rebounded to win the NFC East and win a game in the postseason, Reid’s first playoff win without McNabb, who tore his ACL in Week 11. Jeff Garcia threw a touchdown to Donté Stallworth, Westbrook rushed for a touchdown and Akers nailed three field goals. The Eagles lost in the next round to the New Orleans Saints.
2008
Eagles 26, Vikings 14
Akers booted four field goals, McNabb threw for 300 yards and a touchdown to Westbrook and Asante Samuel returned an interception for a score as Reid’s teams improved to 4-0 in the Wild Card round.
Eagles 23, Giants 11
Philadelphia scored 13 unanswered points to eliminate their NFC East rivals, winning its second road game of the postseason. McNabb ran for a touchdown and threw a fourth quarter scoring strike to Brent Celek. The Eagles got close to returning to the Super Bowl, but Reid lost for the fourth time in the NFC Championship game, this year to the Arizona Cardinals. This was Reid’s final playoff win in Philly.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Chiefs coach Andy Reid had Eagles on brink of Super Bowl many times