We think of the great rivalries in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles based largely from their annual NFC East battles against Dallas and Washington and the New York Giants. Then there are some notable big-moment games against New England, Super Bowl moments that mean so much.
But in a very sneaky way, the Eagles and the Green Bay Packers have engaged in some of the most memorable games in the history of this franchise (and we aren't even going to THINK about the opener in 1991 when quarterback Randall Cunningham was, well, look it up if you don't know already). As the Eagles prepare for the historic Friday night game in Brazil, the NFL's first game in South America, we take a look back at some of the best of the best games in this series, one that began in 1933 and one that Green Bay leads 29-18 overall (Green Bay won the first 10 meetings; Philadelphia did not win its first game in the series until 1947).
- 1960 NFL Championship Game: Eagles hold on to beat the Packers
The game at Franklin Field the day after Christmas in 1960 literally ended with Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik sitting on top of Green Bay running back Jim Taylor as the clock ticked to zero and the Eagles won their first NFL Championship since the 1949 season. The 17-13 victory was a thriller, featuring a Tommy McDonald touchdown catch and a Ted Dean touchdown run and the Eagles turned away a Green Bay team that eventually sent 11 members of the team (including Head Coach Vince Lombardi) to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was the only playoff loss of Lombardi's brilliant tenure.
- 2003 NFC playoffs: 4th-and-26
One of the greatest plays in Eagles history happened at Lincoln Financial Field as Donovan McNabb, facing a make-it-or-it's-over play, connected with wide receiver Freddie Mitchell for a gain of 28 yards on a fourth-and-26 snap late in the fourth quarter to keep a must-have drive alive. Philadelphia gained another 27 yards to set up David Akers for a game-tying field goal to send the game into overtime.
On Green Bay's opening offensive possession, Brian Dawkins intercepted a Brett Favre pass and returned it 35 yards. McNabb moved the offense 21 more yards to give Akers a chance to win it, and he did just that with a 31-yard field goal to cap the 20-17 victory that sent the Eagles into the NFC Championship Game.
- September 26, 2019: Late defensive stand wins it for Eagles
Aaron Rodgers was almost unstoppable – and then the Eagles stopped him just in time to preserve a heart-pounding win at Lambeau Field. It was an incredible game that saw Rodgers pass for 422 yards (of Green Bay's 491 yards of total offense), while Philadelphia relied on a ground game that churned out 176 yards and quarterback Carson Wentz, who tossed three touchdowns and zero interceptions on the night.
But in the end, it was the defense that made the biggest stop. Cornerback Craig James subbed in for the injured Avonte Maddox and on his first play of the game deflected a Rodgers pass that jumped high into the air, where linebacker Nigel Bradham made the play in the end zone and it was over.
- December 5, 2004: Donovan McNabb passes for 464 yards, 5 TDs
Playing behind a new-look offensive line because of injuries there, quarterback Donovan McNabb obliterated the Green Bay defense, passing for five touchdowns IN THE FIRST HALF as the Eagles took a 35-point lead on the way to a 47-17 victory to move to 11-1 on the season. It was the best performance of McNabb's storied career, helped by wide receiver Terrell Owens, who caught 8 passes for 161 yards and a score, and running back Brian Westbrook, who had 11 receptions, 156 yards, and three touchdowns.
The 1960 NFL Championship. 4th-and-26. There have been some incredible matchups between the Eagles and the Green Bay Packers with another one on deck as the two teams embark for the NFL's first-ever game in South America.
The Eagles defeated the Packers 17-13 in the NFL Championship Game on December 26, 1960 in Philadelphia.
Eagles quarterback Norm Van Brocklin (left) and Chuck Bednarick (right) celebrate in the Franklin Field locker room after the victory.
The iconic "4th-and-26 game" in the NFC Divisional Round – Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell made the catch from Donovan McNabb to convert a 4th-and-26 to set the Eagles up with a game-tying field goal. The Eagles would go on to win in overtime 20-17.
Jalen Hurts stepped in against the Packers in 2020, throwing for 109 yards and a touchdown in his first real extended playing time in the NFL.
The Eagles stormed into Lambeau Field on Thursday Night Football, taking down the Packers 34-27 after Nigel Bradham intercepted Aaron Rodgers in the end zone with 20 seconds left on September 26, 2019.
Jalen Hurts set an Eagles franchise record for quarterbacks, rushing for 157 yards in a 40-33 win over the Packers on Sunday Night Football in 2022.
Nick Foles had a field day throwing the ball against the Packers on Nov. 10, 2013, including a 55-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson in the 27-13 victory.
Donovan McNabb exploded for a then-franchise-record 464 yards and five touchdowns as the Eagles defeated the Packers 47-17 to move to 11-1 in the 2004 season.
David Akers hit the game-tying and winning field goals in the Divisional Playoff victory over the Packers on January 11, 2004.
The Eagles' defense swarmed the Packers, causing three turnovers, including picking off Brett Favre twice in the 31-9 victory on Monday Night Football. (October 2, 2006)
The Eagles celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1960 NFL Championship Team in the season opener against the Packers. An injury to Kevin Kolb forced Michael Vick into action and he nearly rallied the Eagles to a win with 176 passing yards and 103 rushing yards. (September 12, 2010)
The first undrafted rookie to intercept Aaron Rodgers? Reed Blankenship in the 2022 win over the Packers. (November 27, 2022)
- September 12, 2010: Kelly Green returns, Michael Vick emerges
In the 2010 season opener at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the 1960 Championship by wearing the Kelly Green jerseys from that era and, in the process, changed the course of their quarterback future. Starter Kevin Kolb was injured in the first half, replaced by Michael Vick, and Vick ran and passed the Packers dizzy (176 yards, 103 rushing yards). Although Green Bay won the game, 27-20, Vick's performance was a preview of what was to come: He was back in the NFL and he led the Eagles to the playoffs that season.
- November 27, 2022: Jalen Hurts slices and dices Green Bay and a rookie makes big play
In front of a national television audience, safety Reed Blankenship became the first undrafted rookie to intercept Rodgers in the Eagles' 40-33 win. A whole lot more happened in this wild game – Jalen Hurts had a remarkable performance with 157 rushing yards and 153 passing yards (2 touchdown throws). Miles Sanders ran for 143 yards and a pair of scores as the Eagles put up a whopping 363 yards on the ground.
It was a wildly entertaining game and an example of just how dangerous the Eagles were on offense and how they could clamp down on defense (three quarterback sacks, two takeaways, Green Bay 1-for-7 on third downs).
- November 10, 2013: A huge game for quarterback Nick Foles
Quarterback Nick Foles, on the way to a season in which he threw 27 touchdown passes and only two interceptions, had three scoring strikes and zero interceptions, becoming the first visiting quarterback in 10 seasons to go into Lambeau Field and accomplish that feat. Running back LeSean McCoy gained 155 yards on the ground, 50 on a final drive that consumed 9 minutes, 32 seconds off the clock and featured 12 running plays and one passing play.
Injuries were a factor for both teams, but in the end, the Eagles had enough depth and resilience to move to 5-1 on the road for the season, one that saw them win the NFC East and reach the postseason.
