The temperature outside was frigid, but the Eagles turned
the heat on fire inside U.S. Bank Stadium! On the largest stage in football,
the Eagles marched in with their heads high, filled with confidence not letting
the pressure over take them. Coming into Super Bowl 52 the Eagles were again
pegged the underdog against the seemingly unbeatable New England Patriots. What
we witnessed that night could be anointed one of the greatest Super Bowls of
all time. The offense was plenty, as both teams knew they had to match blow for
blow like a heavy weight boxing match leaving both fighters bloody and
exhausted. The entire night was magical, filled with big play after big play
until the final throw sealed the contest. With one last gasp, Tom Brady evaded
a three man pass rush, threw a prayer Hail Mary to the endzone, as in the eyes
of the Philly faithful stayed in the air for what seemed like an eternity. To
the jubilation of the Eagles Nation – the ball hit the ground and the Philadelphia
Eagles become SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS
for the first time in Franchise history.
The Eagles game plan was brilliant from the start. Showing
no fear, Coach Doug Pederson came out throwing the ball attacking the Patriots
from jump. The plan to consistently hold the ball generating long drives was
played to perfection most of the night. The Eagles edged out the Patriots in
time of possession by almost 10 minutes, (34:04 to 25:56). In a game that saw
only one punt (from the Eagles), the record breaking contest produced 1151
total yards – 538 of which came from the Eagles. Sticking firm on the ground,
Philly stayed true to a successful formula in creating play action passes while
confusing the Patriots defense chucking long runs some of which went for
touchdowns. The Patriots had virtually no answer on defense as the Eagles
offensive line gave Nick Foles all day to throw finding his plethora of receivers
all night long.
The Eagles run game was sound and effective as former
Patriot LeGarrette Blount lead the way rushing 14 times for 90 yards, which
included a fantastic 21 yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Jay Ajayi
seemed to remain hobbled as he was dealing with an ankle injury prior to Super
Bowl week. Ajayi took a back seat to Blount as the game wore on as he finished
with only 9 carries for 57 yards. Blount again proved the world wrong as his
power style running can be utilized to perfection given he has the support of a
solid pass game, and another running back to help spell the big man, helping gain
production. For Blount, not receiving the payday he deserved from Coach
Belichick last offseason, this Super Bowl title should be sweeter than his
others.
Finally, we have the Super Bowl MVP. Nick Foles came into
this game playing the best football of his career dismantling the Minnesota
Vikings and coming out the gates throwing the ball with precision. On two of
his touchdown throws, Foles placed the ball in the absolute perfect position
where only his receiver would be able to catch it. In the first quarter, Alshon
Jeffery out positioned and out leaped Eric Rowe on a beautiful 34 yard
touchdown completion as Foles placed the ball high enough where Jeffery was the
only one to catch that ball. Yet again in the third quarter, Foles tossed a spectacular
pass in double coverage to Corey Clement in the back of the endzone. On Foles
third touchdown of the game, the Eagles exploited the Patriots secondary lining
star tight end Zach Ertz on the outside in single coverage against Safety Devin
McCourty. This was the easiest touchdown pass for Nick, as McCourty bit on the
potential of a back shoulder fade, while Ertz crossed the route over the middle
making himself wide open as McCourty lost his footing. While we discuss the
great touchdown passes by Nick Foles, the most creative play of the night was a
double reverse pass to Nick Foles. Coach Pederson called the Philly Eagle Special
with 38 seconds left on the clock in the first half on a fourth and goal,
unbelievably impressive! As Foles described the play, he said “I just looked
the ball in”, as he became the first player in Super Bowl history to throw and
catch a pass in the big game. Without question, Foles was the Eagles Super Bowl
MVP!
The Philadelphia Eagles were a team that some experts had
finishing the season at the bottom of the NFC East in 2017, as they come off a
losing record the previous year. This was a great story line to what a Coach
and GM can accomplish in a short time span - provided they build the squad with
depth, youth, and speed. It was difficult to envision after week 14, when the
Eagles franchise quarterback Carson Wentz went down for the year that Nick
Foles, a man two years removed from potential retirement leading a team as the
primary backup to a Super Bowl Title and winning the MVP! This team had a
destiny and it was fulfilled! The date of February.4.2018 will live in infamy
in the city of brotherly love as the Philadelphia Eagles are World Champions –
and no one can take that from you!
Congratulations Philadelphia Eagles!!!! FLY EAGLES
FLY!
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