The Hypothetical Steelers vs Eagles 2008 Super Bowl
In 2008, a Steelers-Eagles Super Bowl was so close to being a reality. Throughout the 2000s, the Eagles and Steelers were among the top teams in the NFL. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania fans, they never played each other in the Super Bowl. 2004 and 2008 were the closest chance that the Keystone State foes would meet in the Super Bowl.
2008 Eagles Summary
The Eagles were coming off a mediocre 8-8 season in the year before, and it looked like the core of the Eagles roster only had a few more years in their prime. The Eagles started off rough and only mustered a 5-5-1 record by Week 12. They won four of their final five games to clinch the last Wildcard spot in the NFC.
2008 Steelers Summary
The Steelers were in their third year since their Super Bowl season and there was desperation to bring back another one to the Steel City. The Steelers started off strong and fended off the Ravens for the AFC North title, finishing with a 12-4 record. In Week 16, the Steelers fell to the Titans 31-14, which cost the Steelers the 1-seed.
Eagles-Steelers Regular Season Game
In Week 3, the 2-0 Steelers and 2-0 Eagles met in Philly. The game started very slow with only two full possessions in the 1st quarter. The first half was a classic defensive battle with the Eagles having a 10-6 lead at the half. The second half was more of the same with the Eagles scoring a safety and a field goal to win 15-6.
The 2008 Playoffs
Unlike the Steelers who got a first-round bye the Eagles had to play in the Wildcard game, where the defeated the Vikings 26-14. The Eagles won 23-11 against the divisional-rival Giants in the next game. The Steelers faced the Chargers in the Divisional Round and took them down 35-24, after overcoming a 7-0 deficit.
The 6-seed Eagles faced the 4-seed Cardinals in the NFC Championship. The Eagles already had a 48-20 victory over the Cardinals on Thanksgiving during the regular season. In the playoffs, the high-powered Cardinals offense got off to a 24-6 lead at halftime. Then, Donovan McNabb made a furious comeback by throwing 3-straight touchdowns to take a 25-24 lead. The Cardinals scored a touchdown and 2-point conversion on their next possession to set up the final drive for the Eagles.
The Eagles entered Cardinals territory and threatened to drive further. McNabb threw four incompletions and turned it over on downs. There was a questionable no-call pass interference on the 4th & 10 pass intended for Kevin Curtis. The Cardinals ran down the clock and won the game.
The Steelers hosted the AFC Championship against the division-rival and 6-seed Ravens. The Steelers were up for the ultimate challenge of defeating the same team three times in one season. The game started with Pittsburgh drawing first blood and having a 13-0 lead. The Ravens fought back and cut the lead to 16-14 in the 4th quarter. With under five minutes left in the game, Troy Polamalu had a pick six on Joe Flacco to seal the win 23-14.
The Steelers and Cardinals played in the Super Bowl for one of the best games in recent history. Whether it was James Harrison’s time expiring pick six, Fitz’s touchdown sprint, or Santonio Holmes toe tap catch, there were plenty of memorable moments. Pittsburgh won their 6th Super Bowl for a NFL franchise record.
The Steelers-Eagles 2008 Super Bowl would’ve had some interesting storylines. Can Big Ben be in the same conversation as Brady and Manning with a second Super Bowl? Can the Pittsburgh offense pick up the slack? Or will the balanced Eagles have the advantage? Can Andy Reid win the Big One?