Bednarik arose and walked off the field . . . and into the mists of myth.
The Next-Best Teams
1948 (10-2-1) and 1949 (12-1). Greasy Neale's two championship teams were methodical and relentless, outscoring their foes by a combined 761-290 in 26 games and becoming the only team to post back-to-back shutouts in NFL championship games. Steve Van Buren and Chuck Bednarik (a rookie in 1949) are the stars everyone remembers, but seven other players made at least one all-pro squad those years: Jack Ferrante, Bucko Kilroy, Joe Muha, Pete Pihos, Vic Sears, Al Wistert, and quarterback Tommy Thompson.
1980 (14-5). Dick Vermeil's team was low on blue-chippers - only three starters had been Eagles first-round picks - but stunningly efficient. Their 3-4 defense was No. 1 in the NFL in fewest points allowed and No. 2 against the run, led by a lane-clogging nose tackle (Charlie Johnson) and savvy linebackers (Bill Bergey, John Bunting, Frank LeMaster and Jerry Robinson). Wilbert Montgomery's injuries forced the Birds to pass more, but quarterback Ron Jaworski stepped up with his best season. The 27-10 Super Bowl loss to the reckless Oakland Raiders broke many hearts.
2004 (15-4). Andy Reid's squad roared to a 13-1 start before losing two irrelevant games at the end of the regular season. Coming up three points short against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl was painful, but that loss hardly diminished what had been a spectacular year for the passing combination of Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens, as well as running back Brian Westbrook and a defense that held 10 opponents (two in the playoffs) to 14 points or less.
- David Cohen
