Nick Foles announced his retirement from the NFL today. The 11-year veteran had an interesting career which included coming off the bench late in the 2018 season to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl title while winning Super Bowl MVP. But only starting 14 more games the rest of his career with a 3-11 record in those starts.
While we are talking about where his career ended, it had to start somewhere. And for that he has the Raiders to thank.
Foles and the Eagles came to Oakland in 2013, the former third round pick’s second season. He had started a total of eight games at that point, winning just two of those games.
That all changed on that fateful day at the Oakland Coliseum.
Foles had his coming out party that day, throwing for a career high 406 yards, career high seven touchdowns, and career high 158.3 passer rating.
To say he torched the Raiders, doesn’t quite cover it. He had thrown four touchdowns midway through the second quarter and reached seven touchdowns IN THE THIRD QUARTER. From there, they just went conservative to preserve the win.
These weren’t short touchdowns off turnovers either. The touchdown drive yardage went like this: 84, 82, 63, 80, 61, 57, and 68. An absolute demolition by this previously unheralded quarterback.
Tbough he would never come close to throwing seven touchdown passes in a game or his 158.3 passer rating, that game lit a fire for Foles. The previously 3-5 Eagles would win seven of their final eight games that season and head to the playoffs with Foles going to his only Pro Bowl.
His 27 TDs and two interceptions in that season would never come close to happening again for him. And is just an unreal TD to INT ratio.
So, I suppose I can speak for the entire 2013 Raiders squad when I say, you’re welcome, Nick. Enjoy your retirement.