False Hope in 1972 for the Philadelphia Eagles

[LeonardRachiele]

After losing their first five games in 1971,  the Philadelphia Eagles finished the season 6-2-1.   For the season  6-7-1.  This raised false hopes for 1972, when the Philadelphia Eagles were 2-11-1.  Before going into the grim details they did have two players who turned in great seasons.

--Bill Bradley led the league with nine interceptions for 73 yards,
--Harold Jackson also led the the league with 62 pass catches,1,048 yards, and four touchdowns.

The number of facts show how bad this team as at least on offense:
--the Eagles lost their first five games,
--the team scored only 12 touchdowns all year,
--Washington shut them out,

--in five other games, the Eagles did not score a touchdown,

--they did not win a game at home; Eagles home record 0-6-1,

--the did not beat an NFC team

--the won two road games each by one point and held off late come from behind efforts.

Sample of the Best Games

Game 6 at Kansas City Chiefs.  KC was 3-2 to the 0-5 Eagles. Pete Liske threw three first half touchdowns passes, one to Ben Hawkins and two to Harold Jackson.  Philadelphia led 21 to 0 and then survived the Chief's comeback on one last series for a 21 to 20 victory.

Game 8 St Louis Cardinals at Veterans Stadium.  St. Louis at 2-5 was one game better than Philadelphia.  The Eagles tried to give this game away.  They were clearly the better ball club but had to depend on a fourth quarter field goal to tie the game at six.   Two field goals for each team.  Three big plays really hurt:

--First Quarter. Pete Liske had Steve Zabel wide open for a touchdown from the Cardinal 14.  His pass hit the cross bar and the Eagles got only a field goal;
--Second Quarter.  Harold Jackson fumbled an end around at the Cardinal 10.
--Third Quarter.  Pete Liske fumbled a routine snap from center at the Cardinals one.   Well deserved boos exploded.

Game 9 at the Houston Oilers, who were 1-7.  Tom Demsey kicked six field goals.   Linebacker Chuck Allen intercepted a pass and blocked a punt.    With three sacks and three interceptions, the Eagles led 15 to 3 after three quarters.    Houston came back in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass from Dan Pastorini and a 30 yard rushing TD from Paul Robinson.  The Eagles held them off and won 18 to 17.

Game 14 at the St Louis Cardinals who were 3-9-1.  Coach Ed Khayak put John Reeves  at quarterback.  Jim Hart for St. Louis moved the team for three touchdowns while the Eagles just stayed close with  field goals.  The Eagles trailed 21 to 9 after three quarters.  Reeves threw two touchdown passes to Harold Carmichael and Harold Jackson in the  fourth quarter but the Eagles lost 24 to 23.

The Eagles fired Ed Khayat as coach after the  season.