The 2011Philadelphia Eaglesseason was the franchise's 79th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the thirteenth under head coachAndy Reid. The Eagles had high hopes of competing for a Super Bowl with several notable offseason acquisitions – new backup quarterback Vince Young commented that the roster was a "dream team" – but ultimately failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 2010 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007.[1] However, they did win their last four games, in an attempt to pull out a miracle playoff berth, finishing 8–8, only one game behind the divisional winners and eventual Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. They also swept the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins for the first time since 2006 and 2009, respectively. The Eagles played all their home games at Lincoln Financial FieldinPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania.
On January 15, defensive coordinatorSean McDermott was fired.[2]Defensive line coach Rory Segrest was fired on January 16.[3] Former Tennessee Titans' defensive line coach Jim Washburn was hired to the same position by the Eagles' on January 19.[4] Special teams quality control coach Jeff Nixon was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their running backs coach on January 20.[5] Defensive backs coach and senior assistant Dick Jauron was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their new defensive coordinator on January 21.[6] On January 25, linebackers coach Bill Shuey, who served on the Eagles' coaching staff for the past ten seasons, was let go after his contract was not renewed.[7] On February 2, Juan Castillo, who served as the team's offensive line coach since 1998, was named the new defensive coordinator. That same day, Howard Mudd was hired as the new offensive line coach.[8] Quarterback Coach James Urban left to take a job as the Wide Receiver Coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jason Babin with the Eagles defense in week 6, October 16
^The team traded its third round pick (85th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a third round selection (90th overall) and a sixth round selection (191st overall).
^The team acquired a fourth-round selection (104th overall) as part of an April 2010 trade that sent QBDonovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins. It was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for this fourth round selection and a fourth round selection in 2012.
^The team acquired this fifth-round selection as part of a trade that sent a 2010 fifth-round selection to the San Diego Chargers.
^The team traded its 2011 fifth-round selection (153rd overall) along with a 2011 seventh-round selection (227th overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for this fifth-round selection and a 2011 sixth-round selection (194th overall).
^The team traded its original sixth-round selection (#186 overall) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2010 seventh-round selection (#220 overall; used to select LBJamar Chaney) The team acquired an additional sixth-round selection (#184 overall) in a March 2010 trade that sent WRReggie Brown to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but later traded this selection to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for GReggie Wells in September 2010.
^The team traded its sixth-round selection (194th overall) to the New England Patriots in exchange for this sixth-round selection.
^The team traded its original seventh-round selection (#225 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for DEAntwan Barnes. The team acquired a new seventh-round selection (#227 overall) in a trade that sent G Stacy Andrews to the Seattle Seahawks. This seventh-round selection was traded to the Jets (see draft note 4).
Coming off their divisional win over the Cowboys, the Eagles stayed at home for a Week 9 Monday night duel with the Chicago Bears. Philadelphia trailed early in the first quarter as Bears quarterback Jay Cutler completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Matt Spaeth. Chicago would add onto their lead in the second quarter as kicker Robbie Gould booted a 51-yard field goal. The Eagles answered with a 47-yard field goal from rookie kicker Alex Henery. followed by rookie linebacker Brian Rolle returning a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown, but the Bears would close out the half with running back Marion Barber getting a 2-yard touchdown run.
Philadelphia took the lead the third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Ronnie Brown, followed by a 33-yard touchdown run from running back LeSean McCoy. Chicago replied with Gould making a 38-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Bears retook the lead with Cutler completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Earl Bennett, followed by Gould getting a 22-yard field goal. The Eagles tried to rally, including an unsuccessful fake punt by Chas Henry, but Chicago's defense held on to preserve the win.
The Eagles lost to the New England Patriots by a score of 38–20. Despite having a 7–0 lead to start the game, they were outscored by New England 38–13 to finish the game. During the third quarter, Eagles fans were heard booing on multiple occasions and chanting "Fire Andy" at one point. With the loss, the Eagles dropped to 4–7. They also fell to 1–5 at home and, dating back to Week 16 of 2010, the Eagles have lost 8 of their last 9 home games.
With the win the Eagles improved to 7–8, and swept the season series of the Cowboys for the first time since 2006. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention thanks to the Giants' 29–14 victory over the Jets.
With the win not only did the Eagles finished 8–8, but closed out the regular season winning the last 4 games (won last 3 games in 2007), while also sweeping the Redskins for the first time since 2009.
