Super Bowl 52 will make history either way
February 2, 2018
Super Bowl 52 has two teams looking to make history: the New England Patriots are seeking their sixth title, which would tie them for the most in history, and the Philadelphia Eagles are looking for the first Lombardi trophy in team history.
Both teams have similar defensive power and a stacked running back corps, but there is one big difference: the quarterback situation.
The Patriots have one of the best of all time starting at quarterback. Tom Brady has been in the NFL for 16 years and will be appearing in his eighth Super Bowl — that’s half of the years he has played.
Brady has experience in the big game and can adjust to any defense a team throws at him. Brady knows how to win a championship, which will give the Patriots a huge advantage.
The Eagles have Nick Foles at quarterback. Many remember Foles from his fantastic run in 2013, when he threw for 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions, which is the second-best touchdown to interception ratio in a single season — behind Tom Brady.
Foles has stepped in for star Carson Wentz after Wentz tore his ACL in a Week 13 matchup against the Rams. Foles has performed big time in the playoffs, playing some of the best postseason football in 2018.
Even with Foles’ stellar performance in the postseason, he has never played in the big game. Foles’ play may be at its best but many are wondering if the pressure of the biggest game in sports and having the whole world watching will affect his performance in the biggest game of his life.
Both teams have a strong running back corps, as each has a combination of three running backs they can use as a threat on the ground and even in the air. The Eagles have the combo of LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi, and Wendell Smallwood, and the Pats have Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, and James White.
The defenses are similar, as the Eagles have a stellar run defense that can stop the combination of running backs of the Pats, but have a 17th-ranked passing defense that the experienced Brady can expose and drive down the field.
The Pats’ defense is not as well-rounded in the air, being one of the worst in the league. The Eagles should be able to expose them as well, but Foles’ inexperience may come into play.
This game will be decided by who has the best passing game, and Brady will be able to expose the Eagles’ defense, while Foles has shown an inability to play well late in the game. Most scoring will come in the second half, with the Patriots coming on top 30-17.