It’s the question that still brings a grin to every face from South Philly to the Northeast: when was the last time Philadelphia won the Super Bowl? If you’re a Birds fan, you don't just know the date. You know where you were standing. You remember the exact smell of the buffalo wings. February 4, 2018. That was the night the underdog narrative finally died a glorious, beer-soaked death at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Philadelphia beat the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII.
It wasn't just a win. Honestly, it was a collective exorcism for a city that had spent 57 years waiting for a championship ring. Before that cold night in Minnesota, the Eagles’ last world title was back in 1960, before the Super Bowl even existed. They beat Vince Lombardi’s Packers that year, which is a cool bit of trivia, but it didn't count for the Lombardi Trophy. 2018 changed everything.
The Miracle of Nick Foles and the 2017 Season
Let’s be real for a second. Nobody expected Nick Foles to be the guy.
When Carson Wentz went down with a torn ACL against the Rams in Week 14, the national media basically buried the Eagles. Wentz was playing at an MVP level. He was the future. Foles? He was the journeyman backup who had almost retired a couple of seasons prior. The betting lines reflected the doubt. Throughout the entire playoff run, the Eagles were home underdogs.
That’s where the dog masks came from. Lane Johnson and Chris Long started wearing them to lean into the "disrespect." It turned into a movement.
By the time they reached Super Bowl LII, they were facing Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The Dynasty. The GOATs. Most experts figured the clock would finally strike midnight on the Foles fairy tale. Instead, we got one of the greatest offensive shootouts in the history of the sport.
Foles threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns. But his most famous play? It didn't involve his arm at all.
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The Play That Defined a Franchise
You know the one. The Philly Special.
It was 4th and goal. Just before halftime. Doug Pederson could have taken the easy three points to go up by six. Instead, Foles walked up to the line, barked some mock signals, and drifted toward the right tackle. The ball was snapped to Corey Clement. Clement tossed it to Trey Burton.
Burton, a former college quarterback, threw a perfect spiral to a wide-open Nick Foles in the end zone.
"You want Philly Philly?"
"Yeah, let's do it."
That brief exchange between Foles and Pederson is etched into the limestone of Philadelphia history. It wasn't just a gutsy play call; it was a statement of intent. It told the Patriots—and the world—that Philadelphia wasn't scared of the stage.
Why the 2018 Victory Still Feels Like Yesterday
For a lot of fanbases, a win from several years ago starts to feel dusty. Not in Philly.
The connection to the 2017-2018 team is different because of how much that roster reflected the city's blue-collar identity. Look at Jason Kelce. His parade speech, dressed in full Mummers regalia, is legendary. He stood on those steps at the Art Museum and screamed about how "Hungry dogs run faster." He listed every single player and coach who had been told they weren't good enough.
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That’s why, when people ask when was the last time Philadelphia won the Super Bowl, the answer is more than just a year. It's a vibe.
Since that win, the Eagles have actually remained remarkably competitive. They made it back to the big game in February 2023 (Super Bowl LVII) against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jalen Hurts played the game of his life, putting up four touchdowns and 304 passing yards. But, as football goes, a late holding call and the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes meant the Eagles fell just short, losing 38-35.
It was a heartbreak, sure. But it solidified the fact that the Eagles are no longer the "lovable losers" of the NFC East. They are a powerhouse.
Comparing 2018 to 2023
While the 2018 win is the "last time," the 2023 run showed how the team has evolved.
- Quarterback Play: Foles was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment. Jalen Hurts is a franchise cornerstone.
- Coaching: Doug Pederson used aggressive "math-based" coaching. Nick Sirianni brought a high-energy, player-centric culture.
- The Defense: The 2018 defense had the "strip-sack" by Brandon Graham on Tom Brady—the only defensive stop that really mattered in a game where Brady threw for 505 yards. The 2023 defense was a sack-machine during the regular season but struggled to contain Mahomes on a bad ankle.
The Statistical Reality of the Eagles' Success
If you look at the numbers, Philadelphia has actually been one of the most successful franchises of the 21st century.
Since the year 2000, they have appeared in seven NFC Championship games. They’ve been to three Super Bowls (2004, 2017, 2022 seasons). For comparison, their rivals in Dallas haven't even smelled an NFC Championship game in nearly thirty years.
Winning a Super Bowl is incredibly hard. Just ask the 12 NFL teams that have never won a single one. Or the Browns, Lions, Jaguars, and Texans, who have never even been to the dance. Philadelphia fans waited a long time, but that one win in 2018 carries enough weight to last a lifetime—though most fans would prefer another one sooner rather than later.
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What Most People Forget About Super Bowl LII
History remembers the Philly Special and the Brandon Graham sack. But there were smaller moments that saved that game.
Alshon Jeffery catching a contested jump ball for the first touchdown. LeGarrette Blount bruising through his former teammates like a bowling ball. Nelson Agholor, who had been a literal meme for dropping passes, catching nine balls for 84 yards.
It was a complete team effort. It was a game where the Eagles didn't play "not to lose." They played to take the trophy.
The Road Ahead: Can They Do It Again?
Since the question of when was the last time Philadelphia won the Super Bowl is tied so closely to the present-day roster, fans are naturally looking at the current window.
The NFL is designed for parity, but the Eagles’ front office, led by Howie Roseman, is notorious for aggressive roster building. They don't rebuild; they "retool." With guys like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith catching passes and a constant influx of young talent from the draft, the Eagles are usually in the conversation.
The 2017 championship broke the curse. It proved that the Eagles could win it all. Now, the expectation isn't just to get there—it's to bring another parade to Broad Street.
Actionable Insights for Eagles Fans
If you're looking to relive the glory or prep for the next big season, here is how to stay ahead of the game:
- Study the Salary Cap: If you want to know when the next win is coming, watch Howie Roseman's "void years." The Eagles manage the cap differently than almost anyone else, allowing them to stack talent in short windows.
- Watch the Trenches: Philadelphia wins when their Offensive and Defensive lines are elite. That was the secret in 2017 (Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham) and it remains their philosophy today.
- Keep the Receipts: The "underdog" mentality is part of the city's DNA. Even when the Eagles are favorites, the fans (and the players) thrive when they feel slighted by the national media.
The last time the Eagles won the Super Bowl, it was a masterclass in aggressive football and resilient leadership. Whether you're a die-hard or a casual observer, that February night in 2018 remains the gold standard for what it means to win in the city of Brotherly Love. Keep an eye on the injury reports and the draft capital—because in Philly, the next "Philly Special" is always just one season away.