1989 Philadelphia Eagles season

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 1989 NFL draft

Personnel

Staff / Coaches

• Owner – Norman Braman

• President and Chief Operating Officer – Harry Gamble

• Director of Player Personnel – Joe Woolley

• Head Coach – Buddy Ryan

• Assistant Head Coach/Offense – Ted Plumb

• Quarterbacks – Doug Scovil

• Offensive Backs – Dave Atkins

• Offensive Line – Bill Walsh

• Assistant Offensive Line – Dan Neal

• Offensive Assistant – Ed Hughes

• Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers – Jeff Fisher

• Defensive Line – Dale Haupt

• Linebackers – Ronnie Jones

• Defensive Backs – Tom Bettis

• Special Teams – Al Roberts

• Strength and Conditioning – Ronnie Jones

Roster

47 active, 7 inactive, 5 practice squad

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, the Eagles shutout their division rival Cowboys 27–0, 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

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12 at Cowboys

First quarter

• No scoring Second quarter
• PHI – Cris Carter 6-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick), 13:37. Eagles 7–0.
• PHI – Roger Ruzek 36-yard field goal, 2:46. Eagles 10–0. Third quarter
• PHI – Cris Carter 18-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick), 11:27. Eagles 17–0.
• PHI – Keith Byars 1-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick), 6:52. Eagles 24–0. Fourth quarter
• PHI – Roger Ruzek 38-yard field goal, 14:56. Eagles 27–0. ;Top passers
• PHI – Randall Cunningham – 21/33, 234 yards, 2 TD
• DAL – Troy Aikman – 7/21, 54 yards, 3 INT ;Top rushers
• PHI – Randall Cunningham – 5 rushes, 46 yards
• DAL – Broderick Sargent – 3 rushes, 44 yards ;Top receivers
• PHI – Keith Byars – 8 receptions, 90 yards
• DAL – Derrick Shepard – 3 receptions, 25 yards

"The Bounty Bowl"

Reggie White won the Turkey Leg Award

Week 13

Week 14

Second quarter

• PHI – Cris Carter 4-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick) – Eagles 7–0
• PHI – Cris Carter 13-yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (Roger Ruzek kick) – Eagles 14–0
• DAL – Luis Zendejas 47-yard field goal – Eagles 14–3
• PHI – Roger Ruzek 29-yard field goal – Eagles 17–3 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
• Randall Cunningham 17/31, 170 Yds, TD
• Anthony Toney 17 Rush, 49 Yds
• Keith Jackson 3 Rec, 57 Yds

Week 15

Week 16

Standings

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 immediately 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.

Statistics

Defense

Offense

Passing

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

Receiving

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

Rushing

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

Special teams

Kick returns

Punt returns

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

Punting

Awards and honors

• Keith Byars, Led all NFL running backs in receiving yardage
• Keith Jackson, Pro Bowl selection

References

References

1. [https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/draft/1989 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.
2. "1989 Philadelphia Eagles Statistics & Players".