1989 Philadelphia Eagles season
Encyclopedia
The 1989
1989 NFL season
The 1989 NFL season was the 70th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle announced his retirement...

 Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

 season
resulted in an appearance in the postseason.

Player Selections

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 Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...

er
= Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...

r
Round Pick Player Position School
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Regular season

The two matchups between the Cowboys and Eagles (including one on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Classic
The National Football League's Thanksgiving Classic is a series of games played during the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. It has been a regular occurrence since the league's inception in 1920. Since 2006, three games are played every Thanksgiving...

) were particularly hostile and became known as the Bounty Bowl
Bounty Bowl
The Bounty Bowl was the name given to two notorious NFL games held in 1989 between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. The first, the 1989 Thanksgiving Classic game in Dallas was most noted for allegations that the Philadelphia Eagles put a $200 bounty on Dallas Cowboys kicker Luis...

s.

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 10, 1989 Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...

W 31–7
64,287
2 September 17, 1989 at Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...

W 42–37
53,493
3 September 24, 1989 San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...

L 38–28
66,042
4 October 2, 1989 at Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

L 27–13
66,625
5 October 8, 1989 New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

W 21–19
65,688
6 October 15, 1989 at Phoenix Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

W 17–5
42,620
7 October 22, 1989 Los Angeles Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

W 10–7
64,019
8 October 29, 1989 at Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

W 28–24
75,065
9 November 5, 1989 at San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

L 20–17
47,019
10 November 12, 1989 Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...

L 10–3
65,443
11 November 19, 1989 Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...

W 10–9
65,944
12 November 23, 1989 at Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...

W 27–0
54,444
13 December 3, 1989 at New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

W 24–17
74,809
14 December 10, 1989 Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...

W 20–10
59,842
15 December 18, 1989 at New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

L 30–20
59,218
16 December 24, 1989 Phoenix Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

W 31–14
43,287

Standings

NFC East
NFC East
The NFC East is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins....

TeamWLTPCTPFPA
New York Giants
1989 New York Giants season
The 1989 New York Giants season was the 65th season for the club in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:-Playoffs:...

12 4 0 .750 348 252
Philadelphia Eagles 11 5 0 .688 342 274
Washington Redskins
1989 Washington Redskins season
The 1989 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 7-9 record from 1988. Despite a 10-6 record, they finished third in the NFC East and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The Week 11 game with Dallas was that team's only win of the season.-Regular season:In a week 14...

10 6 0 .625 386 308
Phoenix Cardinals
1989 Phoenix Cardinals season
The 1989 Phoenix Cardinals season was the team's 70th year with the National Football League and the 2nd season in Phoenix.-NFL Draft:-Regular season:In week 10, Tim McDonald returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown to beat the Dallas Cowboys...

5 11 0 .313 258 377
Dallas Cowboys
1989 Dallas Cowboys season
The 1989 Dallas Cowboys season was the first year of the franchise under the ownership of Jerry Jones as well as under the helm of head coach Jimmy Johnson, who had compiled a 44–4 record in his last 4 years as coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes....

1 15 0 .063 204 393

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
Veterans Stadium
Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...

, 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
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...

 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.

After the game, Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham admitted that he was confused by the Rams complex zone and stated he had never seen anything like it on film. He also pointed the need for the Eagles to acquire some speed in the wide receiving department. The fans, who did not have a beer to cry in during the game due to the Eagles banning beer sales earlier in the year due to "Bounty Bowl II", were frustrated, wet and as gloomy as the weather leaving the stadium. The Eagles were expected to take a step forward after the previous years' loss to the Chicago Bears in the "Fog Bowl", but once again were bounced out in the first round.
Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
Wildcard December 31, 1989 Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...

L 21–7
57,869

Defense

Player Games Sacks Int Yards TD Forced Fumbles Fumble Recovery Tackles
Byron Evans
Byron Evans
Byron Nelson Evans is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles defense of the late 1980s and early 1990s...

 
16 2.0 3 23 0 0 3 184
Clyde Simmons
Clyde Simmons
Clyde Simmons, Jr. is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles , Arizona Cardinals , Jacksonville Jaguars , Cincinnati Bengals , and the Chicago Bears . He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1991 and 1992...

 
16 15.5 1 60 1 3 0 135

Passing

Note: Comp = Completions; ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions
Player Games Comp Att Yards TD INT Rating
Randall Cunningham
Randall Cunningham
Randall W. Cunningham is a former American football quarterback.After playing college football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he was selected in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he remained through the 1995 season...

 
16 290 532 3400 21 15 75.5
Matt Cavanaugh
Matt Cavanaugh
Matthew Andrew Cavanaugh is a former American football quarterback in the NFL who played from 1978 to 1991. In the course of his career as a professional football player, he earned two Super Bowl rings...

 
9 3 5 33 1 1 79.6
Roger Ruzek 5 1 1 22 1 0 158.3

Receiving

Note: ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions
Player Games Reception Yards TD Long
Keith Byars
Keith Byars
Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former American football player in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.-Early life:...

 
16 68 721 0 60
Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...

 
14 63 648 3 33
Cris Carter
Cris Carter
Cristopher D. Carter is a former American football player in the National Football League. He played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins ....

 
16 45 605 11 42
Ron Johnson 14 20 295 1 34
Anthony Toney 14 19 124 0 15
Robert Drummond  16 17 180 1 21
Jimmie Giles
Jimmie Giles
Jimmie Giles, Jr. ; , was a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the third round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 238 lbs. tight end from Alcorn State University, Giles played in 13 NFL seasons from 1977-1989...

 
16 16 225 2 66
Gregg Garrity
Gregg Garrity
Gregg David Garrity is a former professional American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Penn State University, and played high school football at North Allegheny High School in...

 
9 13 209 2 31
Mike Quick
Mike Quick
Michael Anthony Quick is a former American football wide receiver who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles .-Playing career:...

 
6 13 228 2 40
Heath Sherman
Heath Sherman
Heath B. Sherman is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for five seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Texas A&I University and was drafted in the six round of the 1989 NFL Draft....

 
15 8 85 0 17
Gizmo Williams
Gizmo Williams
Henry L. "Gizmo" Williams is a retired American and Canadian football kick returner and wide receiver...

 
13 4 32 0 11
Mark Higgs
Mark Higgs
Mark Deyon Higgs is a former American football running back in the National Football League who led the Miami Dolphins in rushing from 1991-1993.-Youth and college career:...

 
15 3 9 0 8
Anthony Edwards 9 2 74 0 66
Dave Little 16 2 8 1 7
Carlos Carson
Carlos Carson
Carlos Andre Carson was a former professional American football player drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 1980 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 184-lb. wide receiver from Louisiana State University, Carson played in 10 NFL seasons from 1980 to 1989...

 
6 1 12 0 12

Rushing

Note: ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions
Player Games Att Yards TD Long
Randall Cunningham 16 104 621 4 51
Anthony Toney
Anthony Toney
Anthony Toney is a former professional American football running back for five seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Texas A&M University and was drafted in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Eagles....

 
14 172 582 3 44
Keith Byars
Keith Byars
Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former American football player in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.-Early life:...

 
16 133 452 5 16
Mark Higgs
Mark Higgs
Mark Deyon Higgs is a former American football running back in the National Football League who led the Miami Dolphins in rushing from 1991-1993.-Youth and college career:...

 
15 49 184 0 13
Heath Sherman
Heath Sherman
Heath B. Sherman is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for five seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Texas A&I University and was drafted in the six round of the 1989 NFL Draft....

 
15 40 177 2 37
Robert Drummond  16 32 127 0 16
Mike Reichenbach
Mike Reichenbach
Jon Michael Reichenbach is a former American football linebacker who played eight seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the Philadelphia Eagles....

 
16 1 30 0 30
John Teltschik 16 1 23 0 23
Cris Carter
Cris Carter
Cristopher D. Carter is a former American football player in the National Football League. He played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins ....

 
16 2 16 0 11

Kick Returns

Player Games Returns Yards TD Long Yards per return
Keith Byars
Keith Byars
Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former American football player in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.-Early life:...

 
16 1 27 0 27 27.0
Mark Higgs
Mark Higgs
Mark Deyon Higgs is a former American football running back in the National Football League who led the Miami Dolphins in rushing from 1991-1993.-Youth and college career:...

 
15 16 293 0 30 18.3
Dave Little 16 2 14 0 12 7.0
Heath Sherman
Heath Sherman
Heath B. Sherman is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for five seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Texas A&I University and was drafted in the six round of the 1989 NFL Draft....

 
15 13 222 0 45 17.1
Gizmo Williams
Gizmo Williams
Henry L. "Gizmo" Williams is a retired American and Canadian football kick returner and wide receiver...

 
13 14 249 0 28 17.8

Punt Returns

Player Games Returns Yards TD Long Yards per return
Anthony Edwards 9 7 64 0 28 9.1
Gizmo Williams
Gizmo Williams
Henry L. "Gizmo" Williams is a retired American and Canadian football kick returner and wide receiver...

 
13 30 267 0 24 8.9

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
Roger Ruzek
Roger Brian Ruzek is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League for seven seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. Previously he played with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League....

 
5 11 8 72.7% 14 14 100.0%
Luis Zendejas
Luis Zendejas
Luis Fernando Zendejas is a Mexican former placekicker in American football. He played college football for Arizona State University, and was the all-time career leading scorer in the NCAA when he left Arizona State...

 
8 15 9 60.0% 23 23 100.0%

Punting

Player Games Punts Yards Long Block Yards per Punt
Randall Cunningham 16 6 319 91 0 53.2
Max Runager
Max Runager
Max Culp Runager is a former professional American football punter in the National Football League for eleven seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at the University of South Carolina...

 
4 17 568 52 0 33.4
John Teltschik 10 57 2245 58 0 39.4
Rick Tuten
Rick Tuten
Richard Lamar Tuten is a former American football punter in the National Football League who played the majority of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. He punted the ball 108 times in 1992, tied for fourth-most in a season in NFL history. In 1992, he punted for 4,760 yards with an average of...

2 7 256 45 0 36.6

Awards and honors

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