Doug Pederson's top 5 moments as Eagles head coach
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Last week, it was Carson Wentz. This week, it's Doug Pederson.
The Philadelphia Eagles are in the midst of a stretch of games against familiar faces, and not just any familiar face -- key members of the 2017 Super Bowl team.
The Eagles tortured Wentz in a 24-8 blowout win over the Commanders last Sunday, sacking their former signal caller nine times. Washington didn't introduce its offensive starters, presumingly to avoid Wentz getting booed in his home stadium.
This Sunday, however, the reception for Pederson is expected to be different than Wentz. Pederson remains a beloved figure in Philly sports, unlike Wentz.
The Birds kick off against the Jaguars Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS3.
Let's look back at Pederson's finest moments as Eagles head coach.
Philly Special
OK, this was technically Nick Foles. Foles was caught by NFL Films making the infamous play call, but Pederson deserves credit too.
How many head coaches would agree to a play call that called for a backup quarterback who's not exactly known for his athleticism catching a pass from the team's backup tight end on 4th-and-goal at the end of the first half against one of the best dynasties ever assembled in sports in the Super Bowl?
🦅 PHILLY PHILLY. 🦅@Eagles fans will be replaying this until eternity. #SBLII | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/VlSnxrhAc7
— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2020
Pederson replied to Foles' call of "Philly, Philly" with, "Yeah, let's do it."
And the rest is history as the Birds won their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
NFC Championship game
The NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings didn't get off to the best start for the Birds.
The Vikings marched down the field on their first drive and scored in less than five minutes. The Eagles followed that up with a three-and-out.
But, a play on the following drive changed the trajectory of the game and sparked a 38-7 blowout win for the Eagles.
Patrick Robinson picked off Vikings quarterback Case Keenum and returned it for a touchdown. After that play, the Eagles didn't look back.
Casually dropping this Nick Foles dime from the 2017 NFC Championship Game against the Vikings ON A FLEA FLICKER for no reason in particular. #TBT pic.twitter.com/263KLEIrBK
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 26, 2020
The Eagles' offense, particularly the play of Foles and play calling by Pederson, were masterful in the win that earned them a Super Bowl berth.
Foles tossed three touchdown passes in the victory, including two to Alshon Jeffrey, and one to Torrey Smith on a flea-flicker call from Pederson that sent the Linc into a frenzy.
Jake Elliott's game-winning FG
Elliott's 61-yard field goal in Week 3 against the New York Giants sparked a nine-game-winning streak for the Eagles in 2017 that helped them earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Elliott, who wasn't even with the Eagles for two weeks at the time, had already missed two field goals that season before booting in the game-winning kick.
61 days until the #Eagles are back!
— Days Until Eagles Football: Now (@EaglesCountdown) July 13, 2021
No name rookie kicker Jake Elliot knocks through this incredible 61-yard winning kick against the Giants which propelled us on a 9 game winning streak!
One of the biggest moments of the Super Bowl season!#FlyEaglesFly | @jake_elliott22 pic.twitter.com/IhryRssRUE
But, Pederson let Elliott have a chance to redeem himself, and the kicker made the longest field goal in franchise history.
The Double Doink
In 2018, the defending champion Eagles made a late-season push to the playoffs thanks to the coaching of Pederson. Foles once again replaced Wentz due to injury and the Eagles won their final three games to face the Bears on Wild Card Weekend.
The low-scoring game, known as the Double Doink, is a signature win in Pederson's tenure with the Eagles.
Last time the Eagles and Bears played, "Double Doink" happened, and Philly advanced to the Divisional Round.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 3, 2019
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/vg78mX3GSj
After Philadelphia took the lead on a 4th-and-goal TD pass to Golden Tate, the Bears drove down the field to attempt a FG with 10 seconds left.
But the kick from former Eagle Cody Parkey was tipped by defensive tackle Treyvon Hester, ricocheted off the left upright, bounced off the crossbar and then landed in the end zone for an Eagles win.
2019 late playoff push
For the second straight season, the Eagles found themselves in a hole and needed a late playoff push. But instead of Foles under center, this time it came with Wentz as the team's signal caller.
The Eagles won their last four regular-season games to finish 9-7 and win the NFC East after starting 5-7.
In case you want one more angle on the Carson Wentz TD pass to Miles Sanders. This from the coaches film.
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) December 17, 2019
Even in slow-mo, it's still got some heat on it. pic.twitter.com/8gRv1ht4Al
The offense achieved that division victory with mostly a bunch of backup pass catchers after DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery suffered injuries.
Wentz was playing the best football of his career since 2017 until he was forced to leave the playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks with a concussion after taking a cheap shot from Jadeveon Clowney. That led to Josh McCown having the "time of my life" in his NFL playoff debut at 40 years old.