Baseball is the ultimate numbers game. Football is harder to define by statistics because it is such a team game, but there are still some amazing numbers out there. Let's talk about some notable numbers and statistics from Eagles history.
Putting Gang Green's Greatness In Perspective
We'll start with the great Gang Green defense from 1991. The obvious number is that the Eagles were first against the run, the pass, and in total defense that season. There are some specific statistics, however, that really jump out at you. Gang Green held opposing runners to 2.97 yards per carry. Offenses want runners to gain at least 4 yards every time they touch the ball. That is incredible run defense.
You might think, 'OK, Gang Green must have had some coverage weaknesses.' That wasn't the case. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 44.1 percent of passes against them. That is mind-blowing. Defenses today are happy with a completion percentage of under 60. Football has changed, but holding teams to less than 45 percent is hard to imagine.
To put those numbers into context, the 1985 Bears, arguably the best defense of all time, allowed 3.67 yards per carry and a completion percentage of 47.7. The Eagles were clearly better in both categories. Gang Green was amazing on the field and the numbers they posted hold up against the best defenses of all time.
Randall Cunningham's MVP-Worthy Season
Eagles Hall of Fame quarterback Randall Cunningham had a great season in 1990. I'm not sure people truly appreciate the numbers he put up. Cunningham is known for his great scrambling, so let's start there. He ran for 942 yards and averaged 8 yards per carry. Those are crazy numbers for a quarterback. Cunningham was the Eagles' run game that year. He led the team in rushing and the next player behind him was almost 300 yards away. Cunningham's 942 rushing yards would have also led the Eagles in 13 seasons since 1990, including each of the past two years.
As for the 8 yards a carry, that is tough to put into perspective. Donovan McNabb, an incredibly gifted quarterback in his own right, averaged 7.3 yards a carry one year. He did that on 86 rushing attempts. Cunningham had a higher average, but also more carries. Cunningham ran 118 times in 1990. That is a rare number for a quarterback. He ran a lot and almost gained a first down every time he used his legs.
The ground game was only part of what made Cunningham's 1990 campaign so special. He threw 30 touchdown passes. In the past two seasons, the Eagles threw a total of 39 touchdown passes. They had more than 1,200 pass attempts. Cunningham needed just 465 attempts to get his 30 scoring throws. Ron Jaworski never had 30 touchdown passes. Michael Vick never came anywhere close to that total. McNabb had 31 in the Super Bowl season of 2004. Sports Illustrated dubbed Cunningham The Ultimate Weapon in 1989 and he lived up to that billing with the amazing stats he posted in 1990.
Reggie White's Dominance
Reggie White played on some great Eagles defenses and won a Super Bowl with the Packers. He is considered one of the greatest players in the history of pro football. I still don't think enough people appreciate what he did in 1987. There was a strike that year and most NFL players missed three or four games. White played in 12 of the Eagles' 16 games that year. He still finished the season with 21 sacks, one of the highest totals since the league began officially keeping the stat back in 1982.
Eagles defensive ends last year combined to have 16.5 sacks. Brandon Graham, who has been with the Eagles since 2010, has 29 career sacks. White had 21 in just 12 games. It is hard to wrap your head around that. To be fair, football has drastically changed in terms of the passing game. Quarterbacks took more five- and seven-step drops back then, meaning they held the ball longer. Offensive linemen weren't nearly as skilled at pass protection. Quick screens weren't a part of the NFL passing game. It also helped that Buddy Ryan moved White around. He played both end spots. There were times when he lined up over the center and White would just overwhelm that guy. Michael Strahan has the sack record, but it took him all 16 games and a gift from Brett Favre. White dominated the NFL in 1987.
An Argument For An All-Time Team
The 1949 Eagles won the NFL title. They went 11-1 that year and were clearly the best team in the NFL. The Eagles led the league in scoring and were second in yards gained. They had the top defense, allowing the fewest yards and points. It is hard to fathom a team in modern football finishing first in three of the four main team categories the way the Eagles did that year. That was a dominant team. It was no surprise they won the title with a season like that. Running back Steve Van Buren was the key player for the champion Eagles, leading the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
B-Dawk's Case For The Hall
Brian Dawkins had a great career for the Eagles. One thing he did better than just about anyone was knocking the ball out. Dawkins was the king of forced fumbles, finishing his career with 36 of them. That is an insane amount for a defensive back. Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, and John Lynch are three of the safeties who most people compare Dawkins with. All of them were great players. That trio combined to have 41 career forced fumbles. Dawkins had 36 on his own. He was special.
The Eagles traveled to Oakland to take on quarterback Terrell Pryor and the Raiders ...
Eagles' rookie OT Lane Johnson talks after the game with former Oklahoma teammate Stacy McGee.
Eagles' LB Connor Barwin is excited after winning in Oakland.
An Eagles fan in Oakland holding up a sign in support of the team.
Eagles' QBs Michael Vick and Nick Foles chat with RB LeSean McCoy.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson all smiles after beating the Oakland Raiders.
Eagles' OT Jason Peters celebrates the victory in Oakland.
Eagles' starters take a rest on the sidelines after scoring 49 points in the first three quarters.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson on the sidelines.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles talks with reporter Howard Eskin.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles after the game.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles and Head Coach Chip Kelly watch the game from the sidelines.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown rushes the ball in the fourth quarter.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles is all smiles after throwing seven touchdown passes and leading the Eagles to victory.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles stiff-arms Raiders DE Jack Crawford.
Several Eagles' defensive linemen make a tackle.
Eagles' TE Zach Ertz celebrates his touchdown in the second half.
Eagles' TE Zach Ertz celebrates his second-half touchdown with WR Riley Cooper and TE James Casey.
Eagles' TE Zach Ertz catches a touchdown pass.
Eagles' TE Zach Ertz is open in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown.
Eagles' kicker Alex Henery kicks off after a touchdown.
Eagles' TE Brent Celek and WR Riley Cooper celebrate a Cooper touchdown reception.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper makes a reception in the second half of Sunday's game in Oakland.
Eagles' TE Brent Celek hugs WR Riley Cooper after Cooper's touchdown.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper makes a catch in the second half.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson returns a punt in the second half.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson returns a punt to favorable field position.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson returns a punt.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson finds room to run while returning a punt.
Eagles' safety Earl Wolff and LB Mychal Kendricks make a tackle on Raiders RB Darren McFadden
Eagles' LB DeMeco Ryans tackles Raiders' FB Marcel Reece.
Raiders' DB Taiwan Jones returns a kick.
Eagles' LB Casey Matthews makes a tackle on special teams.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles celebrates a touchdown with WR Riley Cooper.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper celebrates his third touchdown catch of the game.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper scores his third touchdown of the game in week nine's game against the Raiders.
Eagles' TEs James Casey and Zach Ertz celebrate after Ertz's touchdown.
Eagles' Alex Henery kicks an extra point in Sunday's week nine game against the Raiders.
Eagles' TE Brent Celek runs for yardage after a reception.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown rushes for a gain in Sunday's game.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown rushes to the outside against the Raiders' defense.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles runs outside the pocket to find an open receiver.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy gains yardage against the Oakland Raiders.
Eagles' Head Coach Chip Kelly chats with QB Nick Foles coming off the field.
Eagles' Head Coach Chip Kelly coaching on the sidelines.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper catches a touchdown pass.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper excited after scoring one of his three touchdowns.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper makes a catch for one of his three touchdowns in Sunday's game in Oakland.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper celebrates his third touchdown of the game.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper catches a touchdown pass.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson finds room to run after making a catch.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson catches a punt and returns it for yardage on special teams.
Several Eagles' defenders make a tackle on Raiders' WR Denarius Moore.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles throws a deep pass down the field.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson crosses midfield while returning a punt.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson runs for yardage while returning a punt in the second half.
Eagles' safety Nate Allen (29) and LB DeMeco Ryans (59) make a tackle.
Eagles' safety Earl Wolff chases Raiders' QB Terrelle Pryor.
Eagles' safety Nate Allen and LB DeMeco Ryans combine to tackle Raiders' WR Denarius Moore.
Eagles' LB Casey Matthews lined up on defense.
Eagles' defenders make a stop on Raiders' RB Darren McFadden.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper celebrates one of his two first half touchdowns.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper scores a first half touchdown.
Eagles' TE Brent Celek tries to gain extra yardage after making a catch.
Eagles' CB Cary Williams celebrates after making a play.
Eagles' kicker Alex Henery kicks an extra point.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles throws a pass in the first half.
Eagles' TE Brent Celek fights for extra yards.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown rushes for a gain.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown finds room to run before getting tackled.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown gets tripped up while running for yardage.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy is pushed out of bounds by Raiders CB Mike Jenkins.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy finds running room down the sidelines.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles gets tackled by Raiders' LB Nick Roach.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy tries to find running room against the Raiders' defense.
Eagles' CB Brandon Boykin returning a kick.
Eagles' safety Earl Wolff makes a tackle on Raiders' QB Terrelle Pryor.
Eagles' defenders tackle Raiders RB Darren McFadden.
Eagles' defenders prepare for the upcoming Raiders play.
Eagles' TE Zach Ertz (86) and WR Riley Cooper (14) celebrate a touchdown.
Eagles players celebrate WR Riley Cooper's touchdown reception.
Eagles' Wr Riley Cooper makes a catch in the endzone for a touchdown.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper scores a touchdown in the first half.
Eagles' TEs Brent Celek (87) and James Casey (85) celebrate Celek's touchdown reception in the first quarter.
Eagles' TEs James Casey and Brent Celek celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter.
Eagles' TE Zach Ertz gets tackled after making a catch against the Raiders.
Eagles' TE Zach Ertz makes a catch in the first half of the week nine matchup against the Oakland Raiders.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles throws a pass in the first half.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy rushes for a gain against the Oakland Raiders' defense.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy finds room to run in the first half.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper runs for extra yards after making a catch.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles rushes the football for a gain in the first quarter.
Eagles' DE Fletcher Cox tries to make a tackle on Raiders' QB Terrelle Pryor.
A flock of Eagles' defenders make a tackle on Raiders' RB Darren McFadden.
Eagles' CB Brandon Boykin defends Raiders' WR Rod Streater.
Eagles' CB Brandon Boykin tackles Raiders' WR Rod Streater.
Raiders' QB Terrelle Pryor loses the football and tries to recover.
Eagles' defenders try to sack Raiders' QB Terrelle Pryor.
Eagles' DE Cedric Thornton rushes toward Raiders' QB Terrelle Pryor.
Eagles defenders make a tackle on Raiders' RB Darren McFadden.
Eagles' DE Fletcher Cox rushes the passer after the ball is snapped.
Eagles' LB Casey Matthews tackles Raiders RB Jeremy Stewart.
Eagles' Najee Goode (left) Damion Square (center) and Mychal Kendricks (right) before the game.
Eagles' safety Kurt Coleman before Sunday's game in Oakland.
Eagles' TE James Casey before Sunday's game.
Eagles' DT Damion Square before the game.
Eagles' TE Zach Ertz before Sunday's game in Oakland.
Eagles' TE Brent Celek warming up before the game.
Eagles' TE James Casey catching passes before Sunday's week nine game in Oakland.
Eagles' DE Clifton Geathers on the sidelines before the game.
Eagles' DE Vinny Curry before Sunday's game.
Eagles' LB Connor Barwin on the sidelines before Sunday's road game against the Raiders.
Eagles' DE Fletcher Cox on the sidelines before the game.
Eagles' LB Brandon Graham before the game.
A devout fan has "Eagles" shaved into his hair.
Eagles fans show support in Oakland.
A couple of Eagles fans before the game.
Two Eagles fans before the week nine game in Oakland,
Two Eagles fans showing support before the game.
Four Eagles fans excited for the game in Oakland.
Two Eagles fans before the game.
Eagles fans getting ready for the game.
Eagles fans excited for the game.
Eagles fans before week nine's game in Oakland
A couple of football fans before the game in Oakland.
Lucky fans on the field before the game
A couple of Eagles fans on the field before game time.
A couple on the field before the week nine game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders.
Individual Games With Ridiculous Numbers
7: Some great numbers come from individual games. Nick Foles threw seven touchdown passes against the Raiders back in 2013, tying an NFL record. The stars aligned and Foles took advantage of his guys making plays against the struggling Raiders defense. The Eagles have had some dynamic quarterbacks over the years. It is hard to believe Foles is the guy who had the game for the ages.
191: One amazing stat that wasn't so good came back in 1992. The Eagles played at Seattle in what should have been a blowout. The Seahawks were 2-11 going into the game and the Eagles held them to just 87 yards of offense. Cunningham threw for 365 yards and the Eagles ran for 190. Huge blowout, right? Believe it or not, the game went to overtime. The main culprit was 191 penalty yards. The Eagles had a couple of games with more than 100 penalty yards last year, but nothing close to 191. That is a staggering figure. It caused the Eagles to go to overtime in order to come away with a 20-17 win.
11: Sacks are part of Eagles history. Back in 1991, Gang Green sacked Troy Aikman 11 times. The Eagles won the game 24-0 and Clyde Simmons led the way with 4.5 sacks.
60: No trip through Eagles history would be complete without talking about No. 60 Chuck Bednarik, affectionately known as Concrete Charley. How is this for a great game? In the 1960 NFL Championship game against Green Bay, Bednarik played all 60 minutes. He played center and linebacker and didn't miss a snap. There were 125 plays from scrimmage in that game, with 70 of them being runs. Bednarik was in the middle of the action all game long. The Eagles won the NFL title that day and Bednarik cemented his place in team history. Amazing.
