It was another Super Bowl for the ages!
The Philadelphia Eagles upset the defending champion New England Patriots, 41-33, Sunday night, to win their first-ever Super Bowl.
The victory over the dynastic Patriots was pulled out shortly after Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham stripped 40-year-old New England quarterback Tom Brady in the final minutes, setting up a 44-yard field goal from rookie kicker Jake Elliot with just over a minute left.
New England had one last chance, however, Brady’s pass in the end zone fell incomplete.
The Eagles were led by an untested coach with only two years at the reins and a backup quarterback, 29-year-old Nick Foles, who had never won a playoff game before this season.
It was truly a David vs. Goliath story as oddsmakers heavily favored the Patriots.
Foles was thrust into the spotlight near the end of the season when starting quarterback Carson Wentz was lost for the season when he suffered a torn ACL and LCL against the Los Angeles Rams in week 14.
On the game biggest stage, Foles made a name for himself as he completed 28-of-43 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns. He also became the first QB in Super Bowl history to also catch a touchdown pass, en route to becoming the game’s MVP.
THE @EAGLES ARE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS! #SBLII pic.twitter.com/AxVj9LlXCI
— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2018
The upset win over the Patriots is something that few experts or insiders saw coming. Many assumed New England would come to Minneapolis and devastate the Eagles to collect their sixth Lombardi Trophy. The almost-unflappable Patriots had been there before. They had a lot of the same talent, led by the quite possibly the best quarterback ever, “Touchdown” Tom Brady and his mastermind coach Bill Belichick.
For his part, Brady threw three touchdowns and racked up 505 yards. But his late fumble was too much for even him to overcome.
The Eagles, who had never won a Super Bowl and lost Super Bowl XXXIX to New England, 24-21, in 2005, barely held off the Atlanta Falcons, 15-10, in the playoffs, but then made a statement when they blew out the Minnesota Vikings, 38-7, in the NFC championship game.
WHAT A GAME!
FINAL: The @Eagles just won the @SuperBowl! #SBLII #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/eHVImTtYVk
— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2018
It took a bit of razzle-dazzle nd trick plays to take down the Patriots. Right before the half, the Eagles faced a fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line and went for it.
Foles motioned out of the backfield and faked that he was calling an audible, but then booked it to the end zone as his rookie, undrafted running back Corey Clement received the snap. Clement then handed the football off to the tight end Trey Burton who tossed it to Foles in the end zone, to extend the Eagles’ lead to 22-12 at the half.
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