Philadelphia, we’re still not okay. Just weeks after the Eagles’ crushing 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, January 11, 2026 — a game that officially ended our Super Bowl dreams— a new study confirms what we already knew: this heartbreak hits hard.
According to a new survey commissioned by sports website, The Lines, losing a big NFL game can hurt more than losing a romantic partner. And Eagles fans? We feel it bad.
The study surveyed 2,000 NFL fans across the U.S. ahead of Super Bowl season and Valentine’s Day, asking one simple but brutal question: which heartbreak lingers longer, a major game loss or a breakup?
For Philly fans, the answers sting almost as much as that final score.
Here’s how Eagles fan really feel 🦅
- 🏈 33% of Eagles fans say they think about a major game loss more often that a past breakup
- 💔 22% would rather be dumped on Valentine’s Day than watch the Birds lose the Super Bowl
- ⏳ On average, Eagles fans say it takes 20 days to recover a devastating loss
Honestly? That tracks.
Between rewatching highlights we shouldn’t rewatch, replaying missed opportunities, and collectively agreeing “we were this close,” Philadelphia is still very much in its feelings. And Valentine’s Day arriving so soon after that loss is like salt in the wound.
The survey also asked fans which pain cuts deeper overall —love lost or lost glory— and many admitted that when it comes to football, emotional recover takes time. Real time.
Methodology 📝
The NFL Heartbreak Study was conducted in January 2026 among 2,000 U.S. NFL fans. Respondents identified their team allegiance, compared emotional pain from breakups versus major game losses, and shared how long each heartbreak typically lasts. Participants were 54% male, 4% female, and 1% non-binary, with an average age of 43.2.
So if you’re still not over that 49ers loss, Philly…you’re not alone. 🦅💚