An Ode To Number 5: The Five Greatest Games By Donovan McNabb With Eagles

Donovan McNabb was the Philadelphia Eagles' franchise quarterback for 11 seasons before being traded to the Washington Redskins last April. 

McNabb will be facing his former team for the first time this Sunday in Philadelphia.

Whether Eagles’ fans love or hate McNabb, they have to respect what he did for the city of brotherly love since being drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in 1999. 

McNabb took the Philadelphia Eagles from the bottom of the National Football League into one of the top franchises over the last decade. 

Donovan is first in franchise history in passing yards (32,873), passing touchdowns (216), and wins (91).

This article reviews the five greatest games from the leader of the greatest decade in Philadelphia Eagles history.

5. 2004 Regular Season Week 13 (Vs. GB)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 5: Todd Pinkston #87 and Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate on the field during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 5, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles de

This game was hyped by the national media as a matchup between the two favorites to advance to the Super Bowl from the NFC.

McNabb proved that no team was going to stop the Philadelphia Eagles after having his best game as an NFL quarterback. 

Donovan started the game, completing his first 14 passes (an NFL record) and never looked back. 

He led the Eagles to a 47-17 blowout victory over the Green Bay Packers.  McNabb completed 32-of-43 passes for a franchise record 464 yards and five touchdowns, which all came in the first half. 

The Eagles improved to 11-1, which was their best start in franchise history.

4. 2001 Regular Season Week 16 (Vs. NYG)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

30 Dec 2001 : Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles heads downfield against the New York Giants during the game at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 24-21, clinching the NFC Eastern Division Championship . D

The Philadelphia Eagles were 9-5 and needed a victory over the visiting New York Giants to clinch their first NFC East title since 1988. 

Philadelphia showed no life throughout the game until McNabb provided a spark in the fourth quarter. 

Down a touchdown with 2:43 remaining in the game, McNabb led the Eagles down the field in 54 seconds to tie the score.

On his game winning drive, McNabb completed a 25-yard pass to James Thrash, a nine-yard pass to Todd Pinkston, and ran 11 yards to set up a game-winning 35-yard field goal by David Akers. 

McNabb threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

3. 2000 Regular Season Week 13 (at WSH)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

26 Nov 2000: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles leaps over the line as Champ Bailey #24 of the Washington Redskins moves in to tackle at the FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Eagles defeated the Redskins 23-20.Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squir

McNabb showed the nation that he was the most dangerous quarterback in the NFL in a pivotal game against the Redskins. 

Philadelphia was 8-4 and a victory at hostile FedEx Field would greatly bolster their playoff chances. 

McNabb’s running ability proved to be the difference in the game. 

He carried the ball 11 times and gained 125 yards, which was the most for a quarterback since Bobby Douglass in 1970. 

Donovan accumulated for 90.7 percent of the Eagles offense and confused the Redskins defense all game. 

McNabb led the Eagles to a victory, which would lead to the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 1996.

2. 2002 Regular Season Week 11 (Vs. ARI)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 17: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles turns to hand the ball off in the game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 17, 2002 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 38-14.(Photo by Doug Pen

Veterans Stadium was in a state of shock when McNabb went down after a sack by Adrian Wilson and LeVar Woods on the third play of the game. 

McNabb did not get up for several minutes and many Eagles fans thought his day was over.

Donovan had the most inspirational performance of his career as he played the entire game on a broken leg. 

McNabb completed 20 of 25 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-14 victory. 

That game was McNabb’s last of the regular season and proved to the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans that McNabb gives his heart and soul to win every week.

1. 2004 NFC Championship Game (Vs. ATL)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with the George Halas NFC Championship trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 23,

McNabb did not have his best statistical game, but showed the world he could take the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl. 

Without All-Pro wide receiver Terrell Owens, McNabb led the Eagles to a 27-10 victory over the visiting Atlanta Falcons on a cold January night at Lincoln Financial Field. 

This victory was vindication after heartbreaking NFC Championship defeats the last three seasons for McNabb and the Eagles.

Donovan was solid throughout the entire game, completing 17-of-26 passes for 180 yards for two touchdowns, including the clincher to tight end Chad Lewis. 

This victory was Donovan McNabb’s finest moment as a Philadelphia Eagle.

So Philadelphia Eagles fans, is Donovan McNabb still a hero or a goat?