| 2005 Philadelphia Eagles season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jeffrey Lurie |
| General manager | Andy Reid |
| Head coach | Andy Reid |
| Home field | Lincoln Financial Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–10 |
| Division place | 4th NFC East |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | LB Jeremiah Trotter S Brian Dawkins LS Mike Bartrum |
The 2005 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 73rd season in the National Football League, and the seventh under head coach Andy Reid. After making the playoffs every season since 2000 and winning the past four NFC East crowns, the Eagles failed to improve on their 13–3 record from 2004 and fell to 6–10, missing the playoffs and finished with a losing record for the first time since 1999. The main cause of this was due to injuries and contract disputes with players like Terrell Owens and Brian Westbrook, and as a result it caused chaos upon the Eagles' chances in their post-Super Bowl season. In the 2004 season, Philadelphia had swept its division rivals, but they became the first team to reverse that feat in its next season, going 0–6 against the NFC East in 2005.
The Eagles would not have another losing season until 2012.
After the Super Bowl, the future looked bright for the team, but the onset of the Owens controversy in the summer began to cloud that outlook. The Eagles got out to a 3–1 record, but there were signs of trouble from the start. Contract disputes with Owens and Brian Westbrook created ugly distractions, and the team was criticized for not replacing departed defensive linemen Derrick Burgess and Corey Simon.[1] Around the middle of the season, the injuries began to take a devastating toll. Quarterback Donovan McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook, wide receiver Todd Pinkston, offensive tackle Tra Thomas, defensive lineman Jerome McDougle, center Hank Fraley, cornerback Lito Sheppard, and running back Correll Buckhalter were all at some point lost for the season. Moreover, kicker David Akers and punter Dirk Johnson also battled injuries and missed time during the year.
The Owens situation boiled to a head in early November, with the team essentially suspending the outspoken receiver for the rest of the season. The rash of injuries, meanwhile, revealed a disturbing lack of depth on the team, especially in the quarterback position and defensive line. The Eagles lost eight of their final ten games, led at quarterback by the athletic, but inept, Mike McMahon.
In the seven games he did play, Owens caught six touchdowns with 763 receiving yards. Rookie Reggie Brown showed promise after Owens' suspension, grabbing four touchdowns, as did rookie running back Ryan Moats, who had three late-season touchdowns. The team's two Pro Bowlers came from the defense – middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and safety Brian Dawkins. However, for the most part, the Eagles' pass defense suffered due to the poor pass rush.[2]