This is it. The Super Bowl, the final duel, the duel of the fates. After an action-packed series of playoff games, the final showdown is set for Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis:
New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
This is a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX, when the
Patriots defeated the Eagles 24-21 back in 2005. The Eagles have not won a
Super Bowl, having appeared and lost in both Super Bowl XV and XXXIX. The
Patriots have finally returned to the Super Bowl for the third time in four
years.
How the Patriots reached the Super Bowl
After their astounding comeback win against the Atlanta
Falcons (also known as the Atlanta IT WAS 28-3s), the Patriots enjoyed another
successful regular season, finishing with a 13-3 record. Aside from a trio of
losses to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Carolina Panthers, and the Miami
Dolphins, the Patriots asserted their dominance once again this season. The
Patriots demolished the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional game, but
suddenly the Patriots struggled against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC
Championship game. Not an issue for Tom Brady, as the Patriots roared back from
a ten-point deficit to win 24-20 and ensured the Patriots will appear in back-to-back
Super Bowls.
How the Patriots can win the Super Bowl
You see what the Vikings did in the NFC Championship game?
Don’t do that. The Patriots need to stop the Eagles’ rushing attack lest Jay
Ajayi break through and charge for the endzone. The Patriots also need to break
through the Eagles’ seemingly unbreakable offensive line and neutralize Nick
Foles before he can make big plays. As always, the Patriots can count on Tom
Brady to work his magic; if the Patriots O-line holds strong, Brady will have
no trouble outmaneuvering the Eagles defense.
How the Eagles reached the Super Bowl
The Eagles finished first in the NFC with a 13-3 record. The
Eagles were almost unstoppable through the regular season, losing games only to
the Kansas City Chiefs, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Dallas Cowboys. Aside
from the losses, the Eagles dominated all on fronts, boasting the best
offensive line in the league and posting 457 points, third only to the Los
Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots. In the playoffs, the Eagles
maintained a strong defense to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 15-10 in the NFC Divisional game, and then
annihilated the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 in the NFC Championship game. The Eagles
have fallen twice before in the Super Bowl to the Raiders (XV) and the Patriots
(XXXIX); on this day, they will accept nothing less than a Super Bowl victory.
How the Eagles can win the Super Bowl
Unless this turns into a rout reminiscent of Super Bowl
XLVIII, the Eagles are unlikely to repeat their performance against the
Vikings. The Eagles can count on a balanced attack of rushing and passing to
overrun the Patriots defense. If the Eagles can maintain the strength of their
offensive line, Nick Foles will have no problems. The most serious problem for
the Eagles is Tom Brady; if they can’t stop him, this game is over in a hurry.
Brady and the Patriots roared back from a 28-3 deficit in Super Bowl 51, so the
Eagles cannot underestimate their opponents; the Patriots will exploit any
weaknesses they can find. The Eagles must find a way to neutralize Brady and
force the Patriots to make costly mistakes, both of which are nearly
insurmountable tasks. Nick Foles and the Eagles need to play at their absolute
best if they want their first Super Bowl win. If all else fails, the Eagles can
dress up as the New York Giants.
FINAL PREDICTION
I do not expect a repeat of last year’s chaotic Super Bowl,
but I do still expect another high-scoring affair with touchdowns galore from
Brady and Foles. Strong defenses from both teams will ensure the game does not
turn into a runaway affair. Once again, the Super Bowl will be a battle to the
brink, but only one team will stand this day.
And once again, it will be New England.
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