<P> The Eagles' futility in Conference Championship games had become notorious . In 2002, the Eagles had fallen in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams in St. Louis, 29 - 24 . In 2003, the Eagles hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Veterans Stadium and were widely viewed as the overwhelming favorites--this view no doubt accentuated by the expected emotional boost that many anticipated would power the team, given that the game was to be the last at "the Vet ." After a promising start, however, the game slipped away, and the ensuing 27 - 10 loss devastated a fan base that had already become too accustomed to disappointment . In 2004, a banged - up Eagles squad managed to overcome numerous injuries, particularly to its defense, to reach the NFC Championship for the third year in a row, only to suffer a heartbreaking 14 - 3 loss against the Carolina Panthers . </P> <P> On January 23, 2005, the Eagles reached a fourth consecutive conference championship game (the first time this happened in the salary cap era of the NFL). At long last, the Eagles justified the hopes of their long - suffering fan base, defeating Michael Vick's much - hyped Atlanta Falcons, 27 - 10, sending them to their first Super Bowl in 24 years . The victory sent the city of Philadelphia into wild celebrations . </P> <P> With two Super Bowl wins under their belt, the defending champion New England Patriots were heavily favored . McNabb had a great game with 357 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions . Terell Owens returned despite his injury, and caught 122 yards on 9 catches . The game was a defensive struggle through the third quarter, but in the fourth, the Patriots took the lead, with the Eagles trailing ten points . The early game struggle left everyone exhausted, and for his best efforts, McNabb scored one touchdown, but could not get the team within field goal range on the final drive . He was picked off in the closing seconds of the game . The final score was 24 - 21, and the Patriots had won their third Super Bowl in four years . </P> <P> The defending NFC Champions did not fare well the next year . The 2005 season began in a strange and erratic fashion with a 14 - 10 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, a game in which Donovan McNabb suffered a chest bruise . In addition, Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was ejected prior to kick - off for getting involved in an altercation with Falcons cornerback Kevin Mathis . In the Week 2 home opener in Philadelphia, the Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers in a rout 42 - 3; however, McNabb was diagnosed with a sports hernia following the game . Weeks 3 and 4 saw the Eagles struggle somewhat but still manage to defeat the Oakland Raiders (23 - 20) and mount a stunning comeback from an 18 - point deficit to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium (37 - 31). In week 5, the Eagles were manhandled by the Dallas Cowboys in Texas Stadium, losing by 23 points (33 - 10). Following a bye week, the Eagles pulled off a miraculous 20 - 17 win against the San Diego Chargers when cornerback Matt Ware returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown in the fourth quarter . Fans hoped the play would "wake up" the Eagles and save the season similar to Brian Westbrook's fourth quarter punt return against the New York Giants in 2003 . However, in the next week, the Eagles were unable to stop the running and passing attack of the Denver Broncos, losing 49 - 21 . </P>

What were the philadelphia eagles called before the eagles