1989 Philadelphia Eagles season

1989 Philadelphia Eagles season
Head coach Buddy Ryan
Owner Norman Braman
Home field Veterans Stadium
Results
Record 11–5
Division place 2nd NFC East
Playoff finish Lost Wild Card Playoffs (L.A. Rams) 21–7

The 1989 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 57th season in the National Football League.

This season marked second consecutive appearance in the postseason, this time as a wild-card team.

However, tribulation struck the Eagles late in the season with the death of quarterbacks coach Doug Scovil from a heart attack. For the remainder of the season, the Eagles wore a black stripe made of electrical tape over the wings on their helmet in tribute.

It was Hall of Famer Cris Carter's final season in Philadelphia as he was released following the season. He later signed with the Minnesota Vikings the next year.

Offseason

NFL Draft

The table shows the Eagles selections and what picks they had that were traded away and the team that ended up with that pick. It is possible the Eagles' pick ended up with this team via another team that the Eagles made a trade with. Not shown are acquired picks that the Eagles traded away.

= Pro Bowler [1] = Hall of Famer
Round Pick Player Position School
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Personnel

Staff

1989 Philadelphia Eagles staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Ronnie Jones

Regular season

Randall Cunningham enjoyed the second of back-to-back breakout seasons, beginning with his leading the Eagles to a 42–37 comeback victory at RFK Stadium on September 17, right after signing a contract extension.

The Eagles won five of their last six games to challenge the Giants for the division lead. On Thanksgiving Day at Texas Stadium, Philly spanked the Cowboys, 23–0, amidst accusations that certain defensive players were rewarded with bounties to take out several Dallas players, including kicker Luis Zendejas. Less than two weeks later, back in Philadelphia, Eagles fans pelted the Cowboys and game officials with snowballs packed in ice thanks to freezing temperatures and snowfall from the previous day.

The two matchups between the Cowboys and Eagles became known as the Bounty Bowls.

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 10, 1989 Seattle Seahawks W 31–7
64,287
2 September 17, 1989 at Washington Redskins W 42–37
53,493
3 September 24, 1989 San Francisco 49ers L 38–28
66,042
4 October 2, 1989 at Chicago Bears L 27–13
66,625
5 October 8, 1989 New York Giants W 21–19
65,688
6 October 15, 1989 at Phoenix Cardinals W 17–5
42,620
7 October 22, 1989 Los Angeles Raiders W 10–7
64,019
8 October 29, 1989 at Denver Broncos W 28–24
75,065
9 November 5, 1989 at San Diego Chargers L 20–17
47,019
10 November 12, 1989 Washington Redskins L 10–3
65,443
11 November 19, 1989 Minnesota Vikings W 10–9
65,944
12 November 23, 1989 at Dallas Cowboys W 27–0
54,444
13 December 3, 1989 at New York Giants W 24–17
74,809
14 December 10, 1989 Dallas Cowboys W 20–10
59,842
15 December 18, 1989 at New Orleans Saints L 30–20
59,218
16 December 24, 1989 Phoenix Cardinals W 31–14
43,287

Standings

NFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
New York Giants(2) 12 4 0 .750 6–2 8–4 348 252 W3
Philadelphia Eagles(4) 11 5 0 .688 7–1 8–4 342 274 W1
Washington Redskins 10 6 0 .625 4–4 8–4 386 308 W5
Phoenix Cardinals 5 11 0 .313 2–6 4–8 258 377 L6
Dallas Cowboys 1 15 0 .063 1–7 1–13 204 393 L7

Game summaries

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys

1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 3 7010
Eagles 0 17 3020

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

Game information

Second Quarter
Third Quarter
  • PHI – Roger Ruzek 46-yard field goal – Eagles 20–3
  • DAL – Daryl Johnston 18-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Luis Zendejas kick) – Eagles 20–10
Cowboys
  • Troy Aikman
    17/30, 152 Yds, TD
    6 Rush, 60 Yds
  • James Dixon
    6 Rec, 69 Yds
Eagles

Postseason

The Los Angeles Rams, ignoring the weather, the fans, and the Eagles mighty defense, rode a quick start to defeat the Eagles at Veterans Stadium, 21–7 on New Year's Eve, 1989. The Eagles came into their first home playoff game in 8 seasons against the Los Angeles Rams with injury concerns. Several players came limping into the game, but perhaps the most concerning injury was that of Eric Allen, whose ankle had been injured a few weeks prior. Allen was an outstanding cover corner and without him, the Eagles would be forced to start reserve cornerback Izel Jenkins. The Rams at the time had a potent and versatile offense, especially in the passing game. Quarterback Jim Everett, running back Greg Bell and wideouts Henry Ellard and Willie "Flipper" Anderson rounded out the Rams offense. However, none of this seemed to concern head coach Buddy Ryan, who reportedly was asked the week leading up the game his impression of Rams running back Greg Bell. Ryan gave a curious vanilla answer to the reporter then turned and walked away saying, "Greg Bell my ass." Most of the media that had gathered exploded in laughter.

Eric Allen, as it turned out, did not start the game, which was played on an overcast, drizzly New Year's Eve. The Rams immediantly attacked Allen's replacement, cornerback Izel Jenkins. Jenkins was burned on the Rams first touchdown; a 39-yard touchdown pass from Jim Everett to Henry Ellard on the Rams first possession. Jenkins was again burned for another long pass, this time to Willie Anderson and by midway through the second quarter, head coach Buddy Ryan had all but no choice to insert the limping Allen with the Rams already leading 14–0.

The Eagles offense, led by All-Pro quarterback Randall Cunningham had no answers for a unique zone implemented by Rams defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmer, who at times during the game only rushed two defenders and dropped everything back in coverage. Cunningham, while completing 24 of 40 pass, only threw underneath the zone for the majority of the game and simply was unable to get anything downfield. It certainly did not help matters not having All-Pro receiver Mike Quick unable to play due to a season-ending injury earlier in the year. The Eagles had less than 100 yards of offense at halftime, and did not have a single first down till midway through the second quarter. The Eagles first four possessions where three (3) three and outs and an interception. When the Eagles finally did score on a one-yard Anthony Toney touchdown plunge to make the game 14–7 with just under 11 minutes to go, there was hope. The Eagles defense, after their shaky start, had by and large held the Rams in check. Indeed, after the Eagles only touchdown of the afternoon, the Eagles defense held the Rams twice and gave the Eagles good field position on their next two possessions, which began at their own 31- and 40-yard lines. However, the Eagles would manage just one first down on those two possessions.

The Rams finally put the nail in the coffin with just under three minutes left, when Greg Bell ran for a 7-yard touchdown for the final score of 21–7. This touchdown run came a few plays after Bell ran 54 yards down to the 10-yard line. The Eagles defense, especially the front four, had finally collapsed after keeping the Rams in check for so long during the game.

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
Wildcard December 31, 1989 Los Angeles Rams L 21–7
57,869

Statistics

Defense

Player Games Sacks Int Yards TD Forced Fumbles Fumble Recovery Tackles
Byron Evans 16 2.0 3 23 0 0 3184
Clyde Simmons 16 15.5 1 60 1 3 0135

[2]

Offense

Passing

Note: Comp = Completions; ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions

Player Games Comp Att Yards TD INT Rating
Randall Cunningham 16 290532 3400 21 15 75.5
Matt Cavanaugh 9 35 33 1 1 79.6
Roger Ruzek 5 1122 1 0 158.3

[2]

Receiving

Note: ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions

Player Games Reception Yards TD Long
Keith Byars 16 68721 0 60
Keith Jackson 14 63648 3 33
Cris Carter 16 456051142
Ron Johnson 1420295 134
Anthony Toney 14 19124 015
Robert Drummond 16 17180121
Jimmie Giles 16 16225266
Gregg Garrity 9 13209231
Mike Quick 6 13228240
Heath Sherman 15 885017
Gizmo Williams 13 432011
Mark Higgs 15 3908
Anthony Edwards 9 274066
Dave Little 16 2817
Carlos Carson 6 112012

[2]

Rushing

Note: ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions

Player Games Att Yards TD Long
Randall Cunningham 16 1046214 51
Anthony Toney 14 172582 3 44
Keith Byars 16 133452 5 16
Mark Higgs 15 49184 0 13
Heath Sherman 15 40177 237
Robert Drummond 16 32127016
Mike Reichenbach 16 130030
John Teltschik 16 123023
Cris Carter 16 216011

[2]

Special teams

Kick returns

Player Games Returns Yards TD Long Yards per return
Keith Byars 16 1 27 0 27 27.0
Mark Higgs 15 16 293 0 30 18.3
Dave Little 16 2 14 0 12 7.0
Heath Sherman 15 13 222 0 45 17.1
Gizmo Williams 13 14 249 0 28 17.8

[2]

Punt returns

Player Games Returns Yards TD Long Yards per return
Anthony Edwards 9 7 64 0 28 9.1
Gizmo Williams 13 30 267 0 24 8.9

[2]

Kicking

Note: FGA = Field Goals Attempted; FGM = Field Goals Made; FG% = Field Goal Percentage; XPA = Extra Points Attempted; XPM = Extra Points Made; XP% = Extra Points Percentage

Player Games FGA FGM FG % XPA XPM XP %
Steve DeLine 3 7 3 42.9% 3 3 100.0%
Roger Ruzek 5 11 8 72.7% 14 14 100.0%
Luis Zendejas 8 15 9 60.0% 23 23 100.0%

[2]

Punting

Player Games Punts Yards Long Block Yards per Punt
Randall Cunningham 16 6 319 91 0 53.2
Max Runager 417 568 52 0 33.4
John Teltschik 10 57 2245 58 0 39.4
Rick Tuten 27 256 45 0 36.6

[2]

Awards and honors

References

  1. ↑ Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro-Bowl at any time in their career.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/1989.htm

External links

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