<P> The Eagles had far and away the best team in the NFC and proved that right from the start . Possessing a high - powered offense which featured McNabb , Owens , and Brian Westbrook , as well as a bruising defense led by Pro Bowlers Trotter , Brian Dawkins , Lito Sheppard , and Michael Lewis , they steamrolled opponents on the way to a 13 -- 1 start to the season . After resting starters for the final two games , the 13 -- 3 Eagles soared past the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs , earning a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville against the defending champion New England Patriots . The game was hard fought , but the Eagles fell 24 -- 21 , ending their magical season one score short of the ultimate goal . This season was considered the franchise 's most successful until their Super Bowl LII - winning 2017 season . </P>
<P> The Eagles had far and away the best team in the NFC and proved that right from the start . Possessing a high - powered offense which featured McNabb , Owens , and Brian Westbrook , as well as a bruising defense led by Pro Bowlers Trotter , Brian Dawkins , Lito Sheppard , and Michael Lewis , they steamrolled opponents on the way to a 13 -- 1 start to the season . After resting starters for the final two games , the 13 -- 3 Eagles soared past the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs , earning a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville against the defending champion New England Patriots . The game was hard fought , but the Eagles fell 24 -- 21 , ending their magical season one score short of the ultimate goal . This season was considered the franchise 's most successful until their Super Bowl LII - winning 2017 season . </P>
who did the philadelphia eagles play in the 2004 super bowl
who did the philadelphia eagles play in the 2004 super bowl
New England Patriots
New England Patriots