4th and 26: Difference between revisions

| visitor = [[2003 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]

| home = [[2003 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]

'''4th and 26''' was the signature play in a [[National Football League]] (NFL) game played on January 11, 2004, between the [[Green Bay Packers]] and [[Philadelphia Eagles]] during the [[2003–04 NFL playoffs|2003–04 playoffs]]. The Packers travelledtraveled to [[Lincoln Financial Field]] in [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], for a divisional playoff game after beating the [[Seattle Seahawks]] in a [[We2003 wantNFC theWild ballCard andplayoff we'regame going(Seattle–Green to score!Bay)|wild card game the week prior]]. After taking an early 14–0 lead, the Packers allowed the Eagles to tie the game in the fourth quarter, 14–14. After the Packers regained the lead on a late field goal, the Eagles got the ball with only a few minutes left to tie or take the lead. After a penalty and a sack pushed the Eagles back 16 yards, they faced a fourth down with 26 yards to go with just 1:12 left on the game clock. Eagles' quarterback [[Donovan McNabb]] completed a 28-yard pass to wide receiver [[Freddie Mitchell]] for a first down. The Eagles continued their drive with a tying field goal to send the game into overtime. After the Eagles intercepted Packers' quarterback [[Brett Favre]], kicker [[David Akers]] kicked a game-winning field goal to sendadvance the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game, which they would go on to lose 14–3 to the [[Carolina Panthers]]. The game gained notoriety for the improbable comeback by the Eagles, with one source stating that the odds of the Eagles conversion on fourth down with 26 yards to go and subsequent game-tying field goal was 1 out of 175.

The [[Green Bay Packers]] went 10–6 during the [[2003 NFL season]], enough to win the [[NFC North]] after ending the year on a 4-game winning streak. This included a 17–14 regular season loss to the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] in Week 10.<ref name="03PACK">{{Cite web | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2003.htm | title = 2003 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website = Pro-Football-Reference.com | access-date = June 13, 2024 | archive-date = May 15, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240515002807/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2003.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> The Eagles won the [[NFC East]] after going 12–4, which included a 9-game winning streak in the middle of the season. This record was enough to secure the 1st seed in the [[2003–04 NFL playoffs]] and a first-round bye.<ref name="03EAG">{{Cite web | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/2003.htm | title = 2003 Philadelphia Eagles Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website = Pro-Football-Reference.com | access-date = June 13, 2024 | archive-date = November 1, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231101123927/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/2003.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> The Packers saw success throughout the season behind the passing acumen of [[Brett Favre]], who threw for 32 touchdowns and over 3,300 yards, and the rushing success of [[Ahman Green]], who ran for 15 touchdowns and a team-record 1,883 yards.<ref name="03PACK"/><ref>{{Cite news | url = https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/206855251.html | newspaper = [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] | access-date = June 13, 2024 | date = December 31, 2003 | title = For Ahman Green, winning is what matters most | last = Braun | first = Rick | archive-date = July 3, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220703034823/https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/206855251.html/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The Eagles offensive success primarily came from quarterback [[Donovan McNabb]], who accumulated almost 3,600 yards combined passing and rushing.<ref name="TAKEFIVE"/><ref name="03EAG"/> The Eagles relied on a "running back-by-committee" approach with [[Brian Westbrook]], [[Correll Buckhalter]] and [[Duce Staley]] all rushing for over 450 yards for the season.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/05/sports/inside-the-nfl-the-eagles-formula-three-backs-no-losing.html | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | access-date = June 13, 2024 | title = The Eagles' Formula: Three Backs, No Losing | last = Brown | first = Clifton | date = December 5, 2003 | url-access = subscription | archive-date = January 26, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210126101105/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/05/sports/inside-the-nfl-the-eagles-formula-three-backs-no-losing.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="03EAG"/> Both teams employed defensive units ranked in the top 15 by scoring.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/opp.htm | title = 2003 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics | access-date = June 13, 2024 | website = Pro-Football-Reference.com | archive-date = May 31, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230531102619/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/opp.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

The Packers hosted the [[Seattle Seahawks]] in the first round of the playoffs, winning 33–27 in overtime courtesy of an interception returned for a touchdown by former Eagle [[Al Harris (cornerback)|Al Harris]] (known as the [[2003 NFC Wild Card playoff game (Seattle–Green Bay)|We want the ball and we're going to score!]] game).<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28449702/seahawks-vs-packers-failed-called-shot-improbable-comeback | website = ESPN.com | title = Seahawks vs. Packers: From a failed called shot to an improbable comeback | date = January 9, 2020 | access-date = June 13, 2024 | last1 = Demovsky | first1 = Rob | last2 = Henderson | first2 = Brady | archive-date = January 10, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200110161326/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28449702/seahawks-vs-packers-failed-called-shot-improbable-comeback | url-status = live }}</ref> As the first seed in the playoffs, the Eagles secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://bleacherreport.com/articles/564107-eagles-vs-packers-postseason-history-a-championship-and-4th-26 | website = BleacherReport.com | title = Eagles vs. Packers Postseason History: A Championship and 4th & 26 | date = January 5, 2011 | access-date = June 14, 2024 | last = Swartz | first = Bryn | archive-date = February 6, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130206040856/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/564107-eagles-vs-packers-postseason-history-a-championship-and-4th-26 | url-status = live }}</ref> Thus, the divisional round playoff game was hosted by the Eagles at [[Lincoln Financial Field]] in [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], scheduled for the evening of Sunday, January 11, 2004.<ref name="PFR"/> This would be the second postseason meeting between the Packers and Eagles; the previous meeting was back in the [[1960 NFL Championship Game]], which the Eagles won 17–13.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/290873981.html | newspaper = [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee Sentinel]] | access-date = June 13, 2024 | date = December 26, 1960 | title = Eagles Win NFL Title | last = Lea | first = Bud | author-link = Bud Lea | archive-date = June 13, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240613221505/https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/290873981.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/green-bay-packers/teamvsteam?opp=24 | website = FootballDB.com | title = Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Results | access-date = June 13, 2024 | archive-date = May 20, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240520025012/https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/green-bay-packers/teamvsteam?opp=24 | url-status = live }}</ref> The Eagles were 5.5 point favorites over the Packers.<ref name="TAKEFIVE">{{Cite news | url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-take-five/149277225/ | title = Take Five | date = January 11, 2004 | access-date = June 13, 2024 | newspaper = [[Green Bay Press-Gazette]] | type = clipping | via = [[Newspapers.com]] | page = 4 | archive-date = June 13, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240613204145/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-take-five/149277225/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

The game began with the four consecutive punts, two by each team. Midway through the first quarter, Eagles' quarterback [[Donovan McNabb]] fumbled the ball on the Eagles' 40-yard line, which Packers' linebacker [[Nick Barnett]] recovered. Packers' quarterback [[Brett Favre]] threw a 40-yard touchdown pass on the first play to [[Robert Ferguson (American football)|Robert Ferguson]] to put the Packers on the scoreboard with a 7–0 lead. [[James Thrash]] returned the ensuing kickoff 36 yards to the 44-yard line. McNabb rushed for 41 yards on the first play to get the ball to the Packers 15-yard line. After a short rush and two incomplete passes, Eagles' kicker [[David Akers]] missed a 30-yard field goal attempt. After the missed field goal, Favre led the Packers on an 8-play, 88 -yard drive, which included a 26-yard run by [[Ahman Green]]. Favre threw his second touchdown pass to Ferguson from the 17-yard line, giving the Packers a 14–0 lead with 1:16 left in the first quarter. Both teams traded punts, before McNabb led the Eagles on their first scoring drive, completing five consecutive passes for 77 yards, including a 45-yard pass to [[Todd Pinkston]]. On the last play, his 7-yard touchdown pass to [[Duce Staley]] cut the lead to 14–7. The Packers took the ensuing kickoff and drove 67 yards to the Eagles' 1-yard line, featuring a 33-yard run by Green. On fourth down, Green was tackled for no gain. The Packers turned the ball over on downs and the Eagles ran out the rest of the time in the first half of the game.<ref name="PLAYBYPLAY">{{Cite web | url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/playbyplay/_/gameId/240111021 | website = ESPN.com | title = Eagles 20-17 Packers (Jan 11, 2004) Play-by-Play | access-date = June 13, 2024 | date = January 12, 2004 | archive-date = June 14, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240614160647/https://www.espn.com/nfl/playbyplay/_/gameId/240111021 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The third quarter started with three short drives, each ending in a punt (two by the Packers and one by the Eagles). Late in the third quarter, the Eagles began an 8-play, 88-yard touchdown drive, despite two 10-yard penalties against them on the drive. McNabb was responsible for all of the yards on the drive, rushing for 37 yards and completing four passes for 72, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Pinkston that tied the game at 14 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Each team punted once before the Packers began a 5-play, 48 -yard drive that ended in a field goal. Starting at mid-field, Favre completed a 44-yard completionpass to [[Javon Walker]], but the Packers were unable to get into the end zone. [[Ryan Longwell]] kicked a 21-yard field goal to give the Packers a 17–14 lead. The ensuing Eagles drive started with a 22-yard run by Duce Staley, but on the next play, McNabb threw for an incomplete pass. On second down, the Eagles were penalized 5 yards for a false start and then a sack pushed the Eagles back to their own 26-yard line, and on third down, McNabb threw another incompletion. The Eagles, faced with a fourth down and 26 yards, needed to convert for a first down, with only 1:12 remaining and one timeout left.<ref name="PLAYBYPLAY"/>

The fourth down play (74 Double Go) called for a slant route to [[Freddie Mitchell]].<ref name="recalling">{{cite news | last = Fitzpatrick | first = Frank | title = Recalling Eagles' Fourth and 26 | url = http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-07/sports/27015067_1_eagles-fans-desean-jackson-quintin-mikell | access-date = June 13, 2024 | newspaper = [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] | date = January 7, 2011 | archive-date = March 4, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090155/http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-07/sports/27015067_1_eagles-fans-desean-jackson-quintin-mikell | url-status = dead }}</ref> McNabb threw a deep pass to Mitchell and the Packers' [[Cover 2]] defensive coverage broke down, allowing the reception.<ref name="JSO"/> [[Darren Sharper]] played past the first down marker, positioning himself for an interception rather than preventing any play in front of the line to gain. The only other player that was close to making a play, Packers' safety [[Bhawoh Jue]], was playing the sidelines and was too late to prevent the catch or first down.<ref name="recalling"/> Mitchell completed the catch and was brought down at the Packers 46, giving the Eagles a first down.<ref name="FREDEX">{{cite web | last = Frank | first = Reuben | title = Donovan to FredEx: Fourth-and-26 revisited | url = http://www.csnphilly.com/01/04/11/Donovan-to-FredEx-Fourth-and-26-revisite/landing_eagles.html?blockID=384995 | access-date = June 13, 2024 | website = CSNPhilly.com | date = January 5, 2011 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130120031726/http://www.csnphilly.com/01/04/11/Donovan-to-FredEx-Fourth-and-26-revisite/landing_eagles.html?blockID=384995 | archive-date= January 20, 2013 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

The Eagles became just the second team in NFL history up to that point to win a playoff game after trailing by 14 points or more after the first quarter.<ref name="FREDEX"/> The ''[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]'' identified two series of events that led to the Eagles victory. First, in the second quarter the Packers were on the two-yard, close to scoring. [[Najeh Davenport]] was stopped inches short of the goal line, and then on fourth down, [[Ahman Green]] was again stopped short after [[Mark Tauscher]] was unable to complete his block, leading to a [[turnover on downs]].<ref name="JSO">{{Cite news | url = https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/208253881.html | newspaper = [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] | date = January 12, 2024 | title = Fourth-and-26, other gaffes by Packers lead to demise vs. Eagles | access-date = June 14, 2024 | archive-date = May 14, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210514144420/https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/208253881.html/ | url-status = live }}</ref> A touchdown or even a field goal would have likely changed the dynamic of the game. The second key moment came in the fourth quarter, when the Packers were at mid-field with a fourth down and less than a yard to go. Even though the Eagles' defense seemed exhausted, the Packers decided to punt the ball instead of go for the first down, which likely would have ended the game.<ref name="JSO"/><ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/208076221.html/ | title = Fourth and won? Nope | newspaper = [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] | last = Hoffman | first = Dale | date = January 12, 2024 | access-date = June 14, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130618051621/https://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/208076221.html/ | archive-date = June 18, 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> McNabb was recognized for his ability to extend plays, with ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' commenting that he "spent much of the second half turning busted plays into big gainers", while also noting that Favre's only real mistake came at the worst time (the interception in overtime).<ref name="SI">{{cite web | url = https://vault.si.com/vault/2004/01/19/mcnificent-in-a-weekend-filled-with-nail-biting-finishes-donovan-mcnabb-rallied-philadelphia-to-an-improbable-win-over-green-bay | website = SI.com | title = McNificent | last = Silver | first = Michael | date = January 19, 2004 | access-date = June 13, 2024 | archive-date = October 23, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211023122446/https://vault.si.com/vault/2004/01/19/mcnificent-in-a-weekend-filled-with-nail-biting-finishes-donovan-mcnabb-rallied-philadelphia-to-an-improbable-win-over-green-bay | url-status = live }}</ref> Lastly, the Packers' defense was criticized for its strategy and execution on the fourth and 26 play.<ref name="DONATELL" /><ref name="JSO"/> Even though the Packers had kept McNabb under constant pressure during the game, they chose to only rush four players on the fourth down play and go into a soft zone coverage.<ref name="SI"/> [[Darren Sharper]] appeared to position himself for an interception instead of trying to stop Mitchell from gaining the first down, while other Packers players in the secondary gave the Eagles too much space and time.<ref name="recalling"/>

Less than a week after the game, Packers defensive coordinator [[Ed Donatell]] was fired, withfollowing thecriticisms failurefrom onthe 4thmedia and 26fans noted asafter the key4th reasonand 26 play.<ref name="DONATELL">{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli url|first=Len |author-link=Len Pasquarelli |date=January 16, 2004 |title=Donatell dismissed after fourth-and-26 play |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1710276 | title = Donatell dismissed after fourthurl-and-26 play | last status= Pasquarellilive | first = Len | date = January 16, 2004 | access-date = June 13, 2024 | archive-date = March 29, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220329165442/https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1710276 | urlarchive-statusdate=March 29, 2022 |access-date=June live13, 2024}}</ref> The Eagles' win advanced them to the [[2003–04 NFL playoffs#NFC: Carolina Panthers 14, Philadelphia Eagles 3|NFC Championship Game]], which they lost to the [[Carolina Panthers]], 14–3, ending their season.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/19/sports/pro-football-panthers-send-eagles-to-3rd-straight-loss-in-nfc-title-game.html | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | title = Panthers Send Eagles To 3rd Straight Loss In N.F.C. Title Game | last = Zinser | first = Lynn | date = January 19, 2004 | access-date = June 14, 2024 | url-access = subscription | archive-date = May 28, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150528044143/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/19/sports/pro-football-panthers-send-eagles-to-3rd-straight-loss-in-nfc-title-game.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

In 2011 and 2012, the 4th and 26 play was noted in respective articles published in [[Advanced Football Analytics]] and the ''Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports''. Both articles discussed the author's use of a [[Markov chain]] to estimate the probability of a series of football events. AsAuthor theKeith authorGoldner wrote,stated "Whatthat arehis Markov model found "the odds that a drive containing a 4th-and-26 from the 25 would end with a successful field goal?" According to the Markov model, a whoppingwas "1 out of 175".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.advancedfootballanalytics.com/2011/09/markov-model-of-football.html | title = A Markov Model of Football | date = September 20, 2011 | website = Advanced Football Analytics | access-date = June 14, 2024 | archive-date = November 1, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211101131707/http://www.advancedfootballanalytics.com/2011/09/markov-model-of-football.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | url = https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/1559-0410.1400/html | title = A Markov Model of Football: Using Stochastic Processes to Model a Football Drive | date = March 12, 2012 | journal = Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports | doi = 10.1515/1559-0410.1400 | access-date = June 13, 2024 | last = Goldner | first = Keith | volume = 8 | s2cid = 199666856 | archive-date = November 1, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211101131706/https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/1559-0410.1400/html | url-status = live }}</ref> Prior to a {{nfly|2016}} meeting in Philadelphia, the Eagles' scoreboard operator posted "4th and 26" as the down and distance to remind the Packers and their fans of that play. However, the Packers went on to win this game, 27–13.<ref name="BOARD">{{Cite web | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/eagles-4th-and-26-packers-game/ | website = CBSNews.com | title = Eagles Put '4th And 26' On Scoreboard Before Packers Game | date = November 29, 2016 | access-date = June 14, 2024 | archive-date = April 10, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240410150931/https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/eagles-4th-and-26-packers-game/ | url-status = live }}</ref>