NFL: Patriots vs.

The Championship Games are history, the Pro Bowl just a side note – curtain up for the intense Super Bowl days! Before the coming week and a half on SPOX, we’ll take a look at both teams in depth: Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots, keys to victory, bookmakers and much more. The game takes place on the night of 4. on the 5. It will be broadcast live on DAZN with German and American original commentary.

What was before the Championship Game Brady’s hand will be in front of the Super Bowl Rob Gronkovski’s head. New England’s tight end had to leave on Sunday against the Jaguars after a violent collision with a head injury and has been in the Concussion Protocol ever since. Meaning: At first rest is called for, then Gronk must step by step get back into training and the symptoms must not worsen. After all, he needs a green light from the doctors. The first statements from Foxboro are naturally optimistic.

Gronkowski is the biggest mismatch player in the NFL. It is the most complete tight end, allowing New England to use it as a legitimate run-blocker, slot or outside-receiver. Gronk can thus create mismatches, help to keep defenses in base coverage and give Brady clear indicators about the type of coverage before the snap.

Whether with or without the dominant tight end: Danny Amendola has just turned into an elementary weapon in Tom Brady’s arsenal during the playoffs. The Patriots-Offense is – in addition to the individual class of Brady – also year after year so good because it is incredibly flexible: New England can play the same play from different formations and announce different plays from identical formations.

The Pats can adapt within a very short period of time due to their option routes and the way the offense is built, which is a huge advantage not only in 2-minute drills. For this, the connection between Brady and his receivers is of central importance, both have to read the defense in the same way and precise route-running is elementary. Without Edelman, Amendola is the first choice for the 40-year-old.

And Brown? This is Malcom Brown, the massive defensive tackle. The Eagles come into the Super Bowl with the best offensive line of the playoffs, this line was also a decisive factor in the victory against Minnesota. If Brown succeeds in creating defensive pressure in the middle, especially against Center Jason Kelce, it would not only disrupt Nick Foles – the Eagles’ Run Game would also be faced with serious problems.

Of course, in Minnesota, all eyes will be on Wentz representative Nick Foles, who mostly delivered shaky to bad performances – only to outgrow the Vikes in the Championship Game against them. The Patriots showed against Jacksonville in the second half that they are willing to unpack more exotic lightning packages and against Philadelphia’s offensive line New England will need more pressure.

Otherwise, there is a big risk that the very strong play designs of the Eagles will catch hold and Foles will find a rhythm. Just like against the Vikings. So if the Pats actually become more aggressive in their defensive play-calling, it will depend even more on Foles – in theory the dream scenario for Belichick.

However, the showpiece of this Eagles team is without a doubt the Defensive Line, both in width and top. Philly has to dominate the game and make a decisive decision: If Philadelphia’s defensive linemen are not an absolutely decisive factor, it will be difficult for the Eagles to stand up defensively.

The Eagles have identified with the underdog role during the playoffs. Both in the divisional round against Atlanta and in the championship game against the Vikings last Sunday, Philadelphia was considered an underdog by the bookmakers without the injured Carson Wentz – the players thanked the betting experts with dog masks for their additional motivation after the games.

One thing is already clear: the Eagles are also allowed to play their now familiar and much-loved role in the Super Bowl. Las Vegas lists the Patriots as a favourite with 5.5 points – it is the clearest favourite role in the Super Bowl since 2009. At that time, Arizona entered the duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a 7-point underdog. Historically, the bookmaker’s favourite 33 of the 51 Super Bowls has won.

In the superficial view, this aspect could quickly fall into disrepute or be evaluated unilaterally in favour of the patriots. But this is an extremely thrilling duel: For the Patriots, it’s likely to be the last game for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for the Pats – both will probably be head coach jobs.

Especially on the defensive side, New England has revealed a lot of game-plan-wacklers over the years, with Doug Pederson and his assistant Frank Reich and John DeFilippo now waiting for one of the league’s best offensive coach trios. And the other side of the ball is also promising in this respect: Philadelphia’s Jim Schwartz is an absolute top defensive coordinator who is now facing the ultimate challenge with McDaniels and Brady.

Finally, a first rough guide to the Super Bowl program on SPOX – let’s say this: It will be the biggest Super Bowl package ever on SPOX. Tactics analysis of both teams, a great story about the Super Bowl story, background stories about both teams and different players, an interview with someone who knows how to defeat the Pats in the Super Bowl, formats with the community, of course, and, and, and, and, and, and – tomorrow’s Thursday is the day!