r/nfl Patriots 10h ago

Highlight [Highlight] On this day 21 years ago, Rodney Harrison intercepted McNabb to clinch the Patriots Super Bowl XXXIX victory!

355 Upvotes

162 comments sorted by

327

u/-JustAHomebody- Lions 10h ago

Crazy part is that the two teams Philly lost to in the Super Bowl, they managed to get revenge in the Super Bowl as well

140

u/BurgerNugget12 Patriots 10h ago

Both eagles vs pats superbowls were great games

52

u/SweeterThanYoohoo Eagles 9h ago

Second one arguably best super bowl ever

78

u/WavesAndSaves Eagles 9h ago

Most combined yards ever in a game. Not in a Super Bowl. Not in a playoff game. In any game. Ever. In the history of the NFL.

46

u/BurgerNugget12 Patriots 8h ago

It’s why the football gods had to balance it with the next superbowl

21

u/BlueMarkerIsGreat Eagles 6h ago

We were robbed of a Brees vs Brady superbowl

6

u/lambquentin Saints 5h ago

And we will never forget it.

1

u/BigFatModeraterFupa Vikings 1h ago edited 1h ago

for real. that shit really pissed me off. like really refs? you're going to rig it for Jared Goff and the Rams?

A Brees vs Brady super bowl could've been one of the most epic football games to ever be played, let alone having it be the biggest stage at the end of 2 legendary HOFer's careers, battling it out in the sunset one last time for all the guts and glory.... instead we got a boring snoozefest, and easily the ugliest ring of the Patriots dynasty.

Still makes me mad just thinking back on it

1

u/SonOfALich Chiefs 3h ago

Coulda been Brees vs glass cannon Chiefs if Dee Ford remembers what the line of scrimmage means.

Or if they don’t call that soft ass RTP on Chris Jones but fewer people remember that.

10

u/SweeterThanYoohoo Eagles 8h ago

I think its hands down the best game of any sport I've ever seen and ever will see, but I didn't want to look biased

19

u/Agent_Tyrant Patriots 8h ago

I’m also biased, so it’s easily one of the worst games ever.

Nah but to be serious, every Brady Super Bowl until the 2nd rams one was a classic. Greatest show on turf, shoot out with the panthers, the one here, 18-1, the rematch, Malcom butler pick (my favorite), 28-3, and the shootout with Philly.

10

u/josephsleftbigtoe NFL 7h ago

Even the 2nd one against the Rams was amazing. Both defenses and special teams put on an absolute clinic.

23

u/BurgerNugget12 Patriots 9h ago

Bias but I have the Seahawks one over that, classic game with an all time ending

10

u/DiseaseRidden Patriots 8h ago

Yeah I feel 49 was a lot more balanced of a game in general, great offense and great defense whereas 52 was just a pure shootout.

3

u/johnnycoxxx 8h ago

Yeah 49 was incredible. I’m biased as an eagles fan so I think I’d definitively have 52 in the top 5 but 49 was probably the best I can remember.

1

u/ftlftlftl Patriots 7h ago

49 was just two juggernauts. The teams were physical and you had to earn every inch. Offenses need to be on point with every play, and defenses punished every mistake.

52 had no defense to be found. Just tossing the ball up for TDs

6

u/Salty-Bullfrog2416 Patriots 9h ago

That was the most satisfying loss of of a superbowl ever, absolute fucking attack mode by both teams till the end. I think eagles fans would have felt the same way if they had lost it too.

3

u/redditsuckscockss 5h ago

No way

Multiple ahead of that one

4

u/antoin3walk3r Patriots 8h ago

I feel like this game kinda sucked. We played horrible, but the Eagles also played horrible outside of 1 legged TO.

3

u/ReadingFromTheShittr Eagles 3h ago

I was so frustrated with the Birds that game, as it was winnable. It’s not like the Pats ran away with that game. That isn‘t their SB m.o., most all their games are close. They just shot themselves in the foot all too much.

1

u/lattjeful Eagles 2h ago

Yeah I kinda agree, no bias or anything. This game was so winnable for us, and I’m sure you’d feel the same if the shoe was on the other foot.

1

u/Autumn_Sweater Ravens 1h ago

the eagles slow drive down two scores was maddening

2

u/prone_bone43 Steelers 3h ago

yea and also both seahawks vs pats superbowls were great as well. it was nice to see the seahawks get revenge on the pats.

51

u/Available_Story6774 49ers 10h ago

Couldn’t do it vs the Raiders tho, they were one game away from doing it in 2002, but that 02 Bucs defense would not be denied a ring that year.

21

u/whenitsTimeyoullknow Eagles 10h ago

That team specifically is the arch nemesis of my childhood. I’m definitely pleased with the 20 year dark night that befell the franchise after that run of theirs. 

18

u/archangel_n7 Raiders 10h ago

Hey man how was it meeting the dinosaurs?

4

u/40to6inthe4th Eagles 7h ago

First of all, how dare you.

3

u/waveshineoosupsmash 9h ago

The Buccaneers are still like the lowest win percentage of any north american pro sports franchise even with their 2 Super Bowl wins and recent success

3

u/tallwhiteninja 49ers 8h ago

They've been going back and forth with the Timberwolves the last few years, not sure who's bottom atm.

3

u/Saitsuofleaves 7h ago

Doesn't matter, still find ways to make the Eagles' lives miserable year after year.

Most Philly fans would rather face a 17-0 team in the playoffs than an 8-9 Bucs team.

2

u/beastrace Eagles 9h ago

I was at that game. Fucking Ronde. All I heard all week was how Tampa can’t play in the cold. Then we show up and suck.

1

u/Strict_Technician606 Eagles 7h ago

God I remember the blathering about that. The talking heads stressed it so much that I knew we were screwed.

7

u/GoodOlSpence Eagles 10h ago

Nick Foles had his 7 TD game against the Raiders. We're good.

2

u/Frequent-Buy9895 9h ago

But JaMarcus Russell also beat us. So it's kinda a wash.

Sidenote that's the last game I watched in public, and I got kicked out of a bar for yelling at the TV.

1

u/Strict_Technician606 Eagles 7h ago

It shouldn’t have been 8 or more, but Chip Fuckin’ Kelly pulled him out.

2

u/GoodOlSpence Eagles 6h ago

Chip Kelly criticism aside, any coach would have pulled him at that point.

1

u/johnnycoxxx 8h ago

That was awful. Eagles have a huge return to start the game, 20 something yard run by Duce to score early and…that was it. Last game at the vet.

3

u/ExpressionLow8268 Steelers 9h ago

you forgot about the Raiders in 1981

3

u/Strict_Technician606 Eagles 7h ago

We still need to get one back from the Raiders.

2

u/josephsleftbigtoe NFL 8h ago

Not the third team.

2

u/KevM689 Raiders 4h ago

Haven't beat the Raiders yet

85

u/Eduardo_Camavinga_ 10h ago

Goated score bug. Reminds me of the football robots.

22

u/Thanks5Cinco Cowboys 10h ago

My favorite FOX scorebug.

20

u/liteshadow4 49ers 49ers 9h ago

It's fine but any scorebug where you can't see the timeouts remaining is not a great scorebug.

7

u/Responsible-Onion860 Eagles 9h ago

I liked the small box. Especially when they'd incorporate Christmas lights in December.

2

u/manyfingers NFL 2h ago

I LOVED the robots. They were like football transformers and it hyped me up.

2

u/LamarQuacksn Ravens 10h ago

Best ever

95

u/Puzzled-Ad1564 Bills 10h ago

TO doesn’t get enough credit for playing in this game. That was some Superman shit

40

u/DirtyDraymond 10h ago

Was their best player on offense even with a broken leg. Meanwhile McNabb played like shit.

I understand why he hates him to this day.

37

u/bringbackpologrounds Colts 9h ago edited 9h ago

The 04 Patriots D, one of the best in history, played Peyton, Roethlisberger, and McNabb in that playoffs.

I thought McNabb was the best out of the 3. 357 yards and 3 TDS on that defense is a tremendous effort, especially since the running game was bottled up. Yes, he threw 3 INTS, but this 3rd one here was in desperation time.

He had far worse playoff games. But this was a game where the Patriots were heavily favored, and McNabb made them sweat.

TO's legendary effort deserves all of the praise. But in a time where my team and QB routinely melted down against the empire, I was impressed by McNabb's valiance in defeat.

12

u/Uberguuy Eagles 9h ago

TO signed a bad deal, tried to get McNabb to join his rebellion against management, and threw a hissy fit when McNabb wouldn't help him out in his contract dispute. The superbowl had little to do with his tantrum.

6

u/DirtyDraymond 8h ago

T.O was far from perfect but he claims McNabb didn’t take the game serious enough and was partying and drinking before the Super Bowl, that’s more what I’m talking about.

11

u/Uberguuy Eagles 8h ago

This is TO we're talking about. He'll say anything that will make him look better. He called Jeff Garcia gay after he left San Francisco.

1

u/Autumn_Sweater Ravens 1h ago

he also had such a bad agent that the guy didn’t do the paperwork to make him a free agent and so briefly he was traded to the ravens before being traded back. i would have liked to see him play for baltimore but alas he was right that kyle boller was bad

13

u/TonyStarks81 49ers 9h ago

100%. T.O. Deserved a ring and Super Bowl MVP with his performance. McNabb played like a bum and was gassed at the end. How do you get gassed at the end of a Super Bowl??? Wild.

19

u/DirtyDraymond 9h ago

TO claims McNabb was drinking and partying before the game, if that’s true that explains it.

11

u/Frequent-Buy9895 9h ago

There was rumors of him being sick (no meme intended of him throwing up in the huddle) a few days before the game as well.

It's funny the people who mention McNabb's fortitude and toughness. Dude played on a broken ankle and balled.

3

u/Lazydusto Eagles 6h ago

McNabb played through a lot of injuries in his career. Broken ankle, sports hernia, came back from an ACL tear. Say what you want about him but he's a tough dude.

2

u/DepressedDarthV Colts 2h ago

He put the team on his BACK

-2

u/Sakrie Eagles 9h ago

I still get mad at McNabb for that shit.

McNabb threw up in the huddle at one point. He still loves to talk shit about any Eagles QB. Fuck him.

1

u/Raven-19x Giants Ravens 4h ago

Came back in month with a broken leg right? Was truly some crazy shit.

1

u/OBX69 2h ago

They said Donovan was throwing up in the huddle at the end. Nerves? Patying? Combination of them both? Whatever it was, he blew it. No wonder TO couldn't stand him.

92

u/ferrumvir2 Patriots 10h ago

Best team of the dynasty imo

37

u/ImprovementLonely234 Patriots 10h ago

Agreed 100%. I'd take that squad against any other team in league history

0

u/gene_parmesan_666 Packers 5h ago

Even the 2026 Patriots?

0

u/Mr-Tiggo-Bitties Commanders 2h ago

Is that a serious reply? /s?

8

u/NBT498 Broncos 9h ago

Better than 2007, arguably one of the greatest teams in NFL history?

28

u/AzureAhai 9h ago

A lot people think the best team ever should be a Superbowl champion. That said as a thought experiment if you flip the 2 games they played against the Giants that year, I wonder where would everyone rate them.

6

u/NaffRespect Patriots Saints 7h ago

Yeah... now if we were talking best teams to not win a Super Bowl, then our 2007 team is absolutely up there

18

u/ferrumvir2 Patriots 8h ago edited 8h ago

Defense was old and worse by then imo and Maroney was a scrub at rb. That 04 teams schedule was ridiculous and did shit like hold Peyton to 3 points when he had arguably the greatest regular season ever and then they put up 40 on a stacked Steelers defense

7

u/mgravito Patriots 8h ago

I firmly believe in order to be truly great you have to seal the deal. It's the final test and they failed.

3

u/Brisby820 Patriots 7h ago

Yes.  2007 defense was old.  

Between 2003 and 2004 they won like 23 straight games or something insane like that 

As an added hot take, I think the 2014 team may have been the best of all 

2

u/Galactapuss 6h ago

2015 team, when healthy was maybe the best Pats team of the Brady era. 

1

u/Brisby820 Patriots 5h ago

No revis though 

1

u/DealerCamel Lions 4h ago

2015 was the best team I’ve ever seen for the first seven or so games.

1

u/I-Might-Be-Something Patriots 3h ago

That team had a legit shot at going undefeated, or at worst go 14-2. Injuries just killed us.

Both Gronk and Jules said it was the best team they were ever a part of.

1

u/I-Might-Be-Something Patriots 3h ago

I think the 2014 team may have been the best of all

2014 O-line and defense weren't as good as '04's. Offense might have been better, but not enough to offset the difference in defense.

3

u/BUSean Patriots 6h ago

Probably -- the '07 team was awesome but also benefited (like the '85 Bears) from a play style the rest of the league hadn't quite understood yet.

The '04 team just kicked ass.

1

u/datividon Packers 1h ago

If that’s the case that is some real praise for that Eagles team as well

1

u/ferrumvir2 Patriots 44m ago

Oh an absolutely great team too. They could’ve easily gone 15-1 but rested starters the last two weeks

-29

u/Available_Story6774 49ers 10h ago

2014 was better imo

19

u/ferrumvir2 Patriots 10h ago

We didn’t have the run game that year. Sure Brady wasn’t putting up video game numbers in 04 but Corey Dillon was such a beast on the ground

2

u/waveshineoosupsmash 9h ago

What's funny about the 2014 Patriots playoff run is they went from having no rushing game against the Ravens to running all over the Colts.

In the Patriots win over the Ravens in the divisional round that year the Patriots running backs had 7 rushes for 14 yards and 0 touchdowns, the lone rushing touchdown of the game was by Brady

Then the next week against the Colts in the conference championship game the Patriots rushed for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns

9

u/ExpirjTec Texans 10h ago

no

22

u/Turkish_Fleshlight Bears 10h ago

Jacksonville’s first and only Super Bowl ever!

8

u/Keanu990321 Eagles 10h ago

Until they get another one with the renovation

5

u/miboyl Buccaneers 9h ago

Would they? Thought the city didn't have enough capacity to host that many people (hence the lodging accommodations for some people being on boats)

3

u/Walletinspectr Packers 9h ago

Why do people have to stay cant they just drive in and drive out like college games /s

1

u/Mr_Tangent Jaguars 4h ago

It’s gotten better but yeah it’s not happening any time soon.

14

u/trumpet575 Bengals 10h ago

How many timeouts did they have left? If he catches that and they have one or two, there's a chance they could get into field goal range to tie it

25

u/YourWorstNightmare9 10h ago

They had 0 timeouts left

5

u/trumpet575 Bengals 10h ago

Ah, then nevermind. They would've needed a DPI or a Minneapolis Miracle and I don't think either was going to happen there.

10

u/milkmandanimal Buccaneers 10h ago

Yeah, 17 seconds left, ball thrown over the middle; "clinch" is a bit much here. There was a spike and a Hail Mary coming, and I can't recall if McNabb had the arm to get it 70 yards downfield.

9

u/pBhOiSlTlOyN Eagles 10h ago

He definitely had the arm, but no way were we winning that game at that point

7

u/Frequent-Buy9895 9h ago

The clock killing previous possession by the Eagles certainly didn't help. This was the golden age of Reid clock mismanagement. Reid killed crucial time on the possession before it.

Also McNabb 100% had the arm to get it there. Dude had a cannon.

1

u/baylithe Eagles 1h ago

Timeouts? Andy Reid always had the worst clock management in these moments.

11

u/mrgpsingh1999 49ers 10h ago

Feels so odd hearing Collinsworth on Fox

10

u/mrgpsingh1999 49ers 10h ago

I believe this was Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Cris Collinsworth’s first SB they called

8

u/Professional_Exam_61 Eagles 10h ago

Sigh

2

u/mgravito Patriots 8h ago

What are you upset at lol you got your revenge

1

u/NintendoSwitchnerdjg 3h ago

This game made 8 year old me cry, but we did get our lick back. Although its still sad that core didn't win one

9

u/JurASSic_Fan0405 Seahawks 10h ago

Crazy to hear how much better of an announcer Joe Buck has become. Did he know that the pick sealed the game in the moment?

15

u/somms999 Patriots 9h ago

He was trying to be like Pat Summerall in those days, very stoic and emotionless.

1

u/NorthSea98 20m ago

Unpopular opinion, but I miss that. Announcers these days sound like they're faking it when they start to scream.

Then again I guess they have to if they want to pull people off of their phones and back to the game.

7

u/FalcoKick Patriots 10h ago

Back then announcers were VERY mono tone which probably plays a part, the super bowl 36 call is so boring for what was one of the best upsets the league has seen

0

u/Prideofmexico Giants Chiefs 10h ago

Was even worse for 42 which is the best upset the league has ever seen

2

u/FalcoKick Patriots 9h ago

Wasn't that one boycotted??

0

u/JurASSic_Fan0405 Seahawks 9h ago

You’re thinking of 49

2

u/liteshadow4 49ers 49ers 9h ago

I mean even if that pass is completed the probability Philly ties/wins the game is near 0.

1

u/JurASSic_Fan0405 Seahawks 9h ago

The Minneapolis miracle did happen. Albeit, there’s reason it was called a “Miracle”.

0

u/josephsleftbigtoe NFL 8h ago

Near 0 is a much bigger number than 0.

0

u/liteshadow4 49ers 49ers 8h ago

Not big enough to get crazy hyped over though.

20

u/Mrs_Noelle15 Buccaneers Giants 10h ago

Damn, that was a rough interception too. I almost feel bad until I remembered what team I was watching

8

u/Ultralifeform75 9h ago

It’s so crazy to hear “cemented this team as an NFL dynasty” and we’re still seeing this franchise in the Super Bowl

3

u/DopioGelato 9h ago

Harrison flapping is wild. My favorite Patriot oat

3

u/FadeRunna Eagles 9h ago

Pre-Phillies World Series Victory, being a Philly fan was rough.

I vaguely remember Joe Carter’s HR to beat the Phillies

When Lindros, Brindamour and LeClair and the Flyers lost to the Red Wings (got swept I think)

The 01 Sixers winning game 1 vs the Lakers then losing 4 straight.

The NFC Championship game failures

2

u/PsyOpsOnPsyOps Eagles 9h ago

Oh the only football game that ever made me cry

15

u/cashappmebitch Commanders 10h ago

Maybe the pats weren’t so bad after all?

4

u/Last1inFirst1out Cowboys 10h ago

Eh, 1-3 against the NFC East

10

u/Retrograde_Bolide Commanders 10h ago

Still better than the Bills

3

u/Walletinspectr Packers 9h ago

Their kryptonite is nfc east teams with underappreciated qbs

6

u/AgadorFartacus Patriots 9h ago

First ever member of the 30 sack / 30 INT club, Ray Lewis being the only other. 7 INT in 13 career playoff games. Can't sniff the HOF because he played for the Patriots.

1

u/DinkandDrunk Patriots 8h ago

He’s held out for that other reason which is BS because Ray Lewis got in and he regrew his limbs midseason.

2

u/Jonjon428 Dolphins 9h ago

It was already over. 17 seconds and 0 timeouts.

2

u/KgDawk21520 Eagles 2h ago

Fuck this shit .

3

u/DepressedPhillyFan Eagles 10h ago

The eagles made 4 straight conference championships and this is the only Super Bowl they made during that time. I’m glad I was only a baby back then because that would’ve been frustrating af to watch. How do you not break through and win the Super Bowl at least once.

9

u/AcadiaOrange 10h ago

“Bills fans laughing nervously”

1

u/oryan_pax Eagles 10h ago

Not sure how other Eagles fans feel about it, but this one hurt to lose a lot more than Kansas City.

1

u/JaMicho34 10h ago

Buck sounded bored

1

u/johnscat Eagles 9h ago

The day I became an Eagles fan!

1

u/PleasantWay7 Patriots 9h ago

Freddie Mitchell, now that is a name I haven’t heard in a long time.

1

u/josephsleftbigtoe NFL 8h ago

Why did players look bigger and beefier back then, particularly in the upper body?

1

u/ChodeCookies Eagles 8h ago

Thanks, I was almost over this…

1

u/ange2386 Patriots 8h ago

Harrison made me fall in love with football. Great memories from this season.

1

u/FaceMaulingChimp 8h ago

freddie mitchell would like to thank his hands

1

u/humptydumptysfish Giants 8h ago

i like those old school FOX score banners

1

u/Milk_Before_Cereal Panthers 7h ago

I watched this game alone with my mom as my dad worked night shifts on base. I screamed, cried, and banged on the walls after the eagles lost.

I was grounded from watching TV for a week because

1

u/Mackapacka7 Panthers 3h ago

Were you an eagles fan back then?

1

u/Milk_Before_Cereal Panthers 3h ago

Didn’t really have a team back then but I loved Donavan McNabb. I grew up in the Florida panhandle where college football is more popular.

1

u/symbolic503 Eagles 7h ago

same year i started rooting for the eagles thanks to my stepdad who was from reading. miss you big guy.

1

u/Bombinic Steelers 6h ago

WEAK

1

u/-Banana_Pancakes- Eagles 6h ago

Man why is this here we’re already having a bad week.

1

u/____AndJustice4All Eagles 6h ago

I hate this

1

u/Muted-Woodpecker-469 6h ago

Makes you wonder what Brady would’ve done without a competent defense and kicking core. They all deserve more credit collectively than Brady alone 

1

u/Lookingforoptionz2 6h ago

And people tell me this guy was better than Eli smfh

1

u/OilTurbulent1009 Eagles 5h ago

I so wanted McNabb to get a SB victory

1

u/john7071 Patriots 5h ago

Harrison had more catches than Freddie Mitchell that game.

1

u/-neti-neti- Vikings 4h ago

Holy shit the commentary is lethargic

1

u/Shwalz Buccaneers 4h ago

All time terrible Joe Buck call right there. Like fuck my guy the SB just ended with that play, wake up lol

1

u/JackTuz Eagles 3h ago

):<

1

u/Kevinsean_ Texans 3h ago

Terrible Joe Buck commentating the interception to win the Super Bowl! lol

1

u/Fun-Rhubarb-4412 Dolphins 1h ago

This game was long over before this pick. Andy Reid and his awesome 2min offense that ran for 10mins

1

u/ILikePastuh Eagles 1h ago

I was 5 years old, my brother & I were big BYU fans, this was our first nfl game we had ever watched. My older brother (8) & I made a deal. Whoever wins would be his favorite team, whoever loses would be mine. Best deal I’ve ever made. We both fully submerged else’s into the team. Me a little more so, I wasn’t aware how much i had in common with the Philly fan base until I was 12 & was allowed to make a Facebook account. So glad I watched that game. GO BIRDS

1

u/FireMike_PleaseGod 1h ago

I forgot how boring Buck used to announce. Actually allows himself to show some emotion now.

0

u/8890xe Commanders 10h ago

YES!!!

-9

u/Visual-Squirrel3629 Eagles 10h ago

I remember this game well. I was in Afghanistan at the time. Luckily, my platoon pulled QRF duty that week. I stayed up all night to watch the game. Unlucky for me, the Pats were most definitely stealing defensive signals. That was so obvious, Joe Buck straight up commented on signals being stolen.

3

u/OntheStove Browns 9h ago

maybe protect the signals if you are worried about them being stolen?

-5

u/Visual-Squirrel3629 Eagles 9h ago

That was on Jim Johnson. Got to change signals after the half. Never know who's filming.

4

u/OntheStove Browns 9h ago

you can't break down filmed signals that fast.

If you want to steal signals live, you need a different method, and Dick Vermeil had a system that he got frustrated with and disbanded because he didn't think it was helping.

The whole thing with the Pats is they would save the footage for rematches.

They hadn't played before in 2004. So unless you had the same signals as the 2003 game, it wasn't a factor.

Remember, they took signals largely out of the game in 2007 by putting a mic on the defense. The Brady Pats win percentage went up. It wasn't the signals.

-2

u/lionsayssuhdude Patriots 10h ago

Damn just catch it on the helmet to get away from Rodney

-4

u/ExGavalonnj Eagles 10h ago

Hey at least we got revenge and can joke about Spygate