The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champion! For the very first time in franchise history, the Eagles will win the title without Carson Wentz in a historic shootout against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Pats have the chance of another last-minute victory – but then the Eagles Defense will speak for the first time. In the end, Nick Foles and Co. a 41-33 win.
Both teams put in very good first drives: In the Eagles Nick Foles moved very well inside and outside the Pocket, the Run Pass Options cleared the way for the Run Game and Philly attacked Eric Rowe, who played surprisingly instead of Malcolm Butler. But Philly only came to a field goal in the Red Zone – just like New England in return, after the patriots drove the Eagles defence down the field via Play Action and No-Huddle.
The first touchdown of the Super Bowl, however, belonged to the Eagles: after a 36 yard run by Blount, Foles played a spectacular 34-yard touchdown pass on Jeffery, who beat Rowe in coverage. The patriots seemed to be able to respond quickly, but did not play a 4th&1 in the Red Zone – and after a failed hold, the field goal went wrong. And it got worse: After a hard hit by Jenkins, Cooks had to get out injured. Philly got more hits against Brady and the next touchdown belonged to Philly. After Ertz and again Jeffery brought the Eagles deep into the Patriots’ half, Blount got the rest.
The subsequent 2-point conversion – Philadelphia had awarded the PAT after the first touchdown – didn’t work out and New England came back now: Jeffery couldn’t control a long pass, the ricochet landed for pick at Harmon! After a long pass on Hogan, the Pats were quickly in position and White got the first Patriots touchdown. In return, Clement carried a short pass from the mesh wheel combination deep into the Patriots half, at 4th&Goal Philly managed a trick play touchdown pass to Foles, who caught the ball free in the end zone!
In the second half it became a historic shootout: Shortly before the end of the third quarter both teams had already set a new super-bowl-yard record (955 YDS at the time), New England started with a touchdown drive dominated by Gronkowski, which also caught the touchdown. Foles responded with a spectacular TD pass to Clement, who didn’t completely control the ball – but still scored. In return, Brady Hogan found his way to the next TD, and then finally a defensive team managed to make another stop: The Eagles could only fight back with a field goal. New England took the lead for the first time with Gronk’s second short touchdown.
Everything was clear for the final showdown: Philly played a fourth down five minutes before the end and Ertz caught the touchdown pass! Philly was once again in front, even if the 2-point conversion didn’t work. The Pats got the ball back with 2:21 – and for the very first time the Eagles-D-Line came forward: Graham beat Brady out of the ball and Philly grabbed the egg. The Eagles couldn’t play the clock down completely and extended their lead via field goal to eight points. In return, Brady had a tight minute and no timeout – and the defense held! The Eagles are champions!
The complete analysis will be available here soon!