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Tag: Ricky Watters

  • A Wonderful Wildcard Weekend in Philadelphia. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    It’s difficult to believe that with all of the success that the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers with 167 years of existence in the NFL between the two franchises — that the Eagles and 49ers have only met twice in the NFC Playoffs. The first contest — occurring thirty years ago this year in December of 1996 — was a 14–0 Eagles loss to the 49ers in San Francisco.

    But it’s the NFC Wildcard matchup that occurred just over thirty-years ago in December of 1995 at Veteran’s Stadium would become one of the most memorable in Eagles history.

    The very start of this memorable moment in Philadelphia sports history actually started the week before the game. Ray Rhodes’ Philadelphia team was seeded fourth— but the high-powered (Lions) who had an offense ranked #1 in the NFL and #5 in the NFC Playoffs were actually the favorites going into game. During the week — Lions Offensive Tackle (Lomas Brown) added fuel to the fire when he guaranteed a win in Philadelphia.

    On a frigid afternoon in Philadelphia — the Eagles opened the game with 3-point advantage. Then the flood gates then opened for Philadelphia. Eagles Defensive Back Barry Wilburn took a Scott Mitchell interception twenty-four yards for a score. Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete then connected with Fred Barnett for a twenty-two yard touchdown. Ricky Watters then plunged in for a one-yard score for Philadelphia. Right before halftime — Eagles wide receiver Rob Carpenter caught a 43-yard Hail Mary to cap a 31-point second quarter and a 38–7 lead at intermission to the thrill of over sixty-six thousand Philadelphia fans.

    In the third quarter — Jon Gruden’s offense was still on fire for the Eagles in the cold of January. Eagles running back Ricky Watters would then haul in a forty-five yard scoring pass from Peete and eventually a 51–7 advantage.

    Fans who attended the 58–37 game saw one of the most points ever scored in an NFL Postseason Contest. After another interception by Greg Jackson in the 3rd quarter — Scott Mitchell let loose into a verbal tirade on the sideline subsequent to being benched. Veteran Don Majkowski did attempt to lead the Lions back but the rally was cut short by a thirty-yard William Thomas interception return for a touchdown. One year later after a 5–11 start— Wayne Fontes was fired as the Lions Head Coach, and All-Pro running back Barry Sanders retired three years later in 1999.

    And the second time that the Eagles played the 49ers in the playoffs? It was right here at Lincoln Financial Field in the 2023 NFC Championship Game — a 31–7 win for Philadelphia.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Lightning and Thunder…Literally. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Thursday Night’s Eagles Home Opener Had A Little Something for Everyone.

    No, no. Former Eagles running backs Ricky (Watters) and Charlie (Garner) aren’t making a comeback. The Eagles opening contest on the quest for NFL historical greatness began in bizarre fashion. But at least — this game had something for everyone and we found out a little more about these 2025 Eagles. We also found out that aerial assaults of human sputum prior to one offensive play being run is counterproductive, Saquon Barkley may be a year older but is still virtually unstoppable, raising the championship banner never gets old, and extended lightening delays are great for re-filling your chili fries — even at midnight.

    And of course — those Cowboys are still the Cowboys.

    Did defensive tackle Jalen Carter — after a full game of being double-teamed and beaten about by the Cowboys offensive line finally succumbed to the emotion of a full game and sent a flying saliva deposit that landed on Dak Prescott causing an ejection that propelled his team to triumph? Nope — you aren’t living in a dreamland — that scenario played itself out without one offensive snap elapsing in the 2025 NFL Season as his teammate Brian VanSumeren writhed in pain on the Lincoln Financial Field turf. Hopefully — this season is not over for both.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    The Eagles opened the night on offense with a combination of the legs of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and Will Shipley — the latter of whom is well on his way to becoming yet another reliable weapon in the Eagles arsenal. The game would end in much the same way relying on Hurts and Barkley to spearhead the Eagles offense. And Barkley — whether powering off left tackle or making incredible one-handed catches in the open field — is as good as ever.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    And as if another historic moment was needed — with 4:44 left in the third quarter — the first Eagles Game ever was suspended due to lightening. You read correctly — we’ve seen ice games, blinding blizzards, mud-filled Championship Games. We’ve seen games turn into a Bounty Bowl, our team combine during war-time with the Steelers. We’ve even seen snowballs assaulting Santa and Duracell battery packed ice balls attempt to adjust Jimmy Johnson’s hair against these very same Cowboys. But we’ve never seen a 65-minute intermission that ended a game after midnight. All of Philly was moving slowly on Friday morning.

    And then there is backup Cowboys running back Miles Sanders — whose outrage at a lack of touches in Super Bowl LVII propelled him in part to separate from a franchise that is now the finest football organization is in the universe — his once prominent role now occupied by his Nittany Lion teammate Saquon Barkley. His third quarter fumble — scooped up by Quinyon Mitchell — brought back memories. The Eagles defense is still a force to be reckoned with — even without Jalen Carter.

    But perhaps the Eagles pulling out the a close game to a division rival was the most lasting facet of Thursday night’s home opener. Miles Sanders and the Cowboys are 0–1 —the former once projected to be the franchise running back that Philadelphia could have drafted after not being in a positioned to select one Saquon Barkley. 

    Yes — Alanis Morissette — Isn’t that ironic?

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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