The Philadelphia Eagles are set to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in two weeks. Tom Brady will be going to his eighth Super Bowl of his career, while Philly will return there for the first time since 2005. The last time the Eagles made it to the big game, it was also against Tom Brady. While the Patriots had to come back late, the Eagles behind Nick Foles blew out the Minnesota Vikings 38-7.
The performance tonight by Foles was incredible. There were doubts that he could get the job done against the NFL's top defense of the Vikings.
While he is a veteran, he had not been the regular starter. Most of the Eagles season was led by MVP candidate Carson Wentz until he tore his ACL late in the season. The Eagles went from not being predicted to go anywhere before the season started, to win the division, to being doubted without Wentz, to having a date with Super Bowl LII.
Foles' incredible night
The NFC championship game held in Philadelphia saw the Eagles taking on the miracle Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings came in with the top defense in the league and coming off one of the craziest wins in recent playoff history. Meanwhile, the Eagles defeated the defending NFC champion Falcons at home the week before. Foles had a solid game, throwing for 246 yards with a 100.1 rating but no touchdown passes.
It seemed like Foles facing this defensive unit would be a huge challenge, and the game would be close. Not nearly the case.
The 38-7 win for the Eagles saw Foles tear it up. In total, he threw for 352 yards (26/33), and three touchdown passes with no interceptions. That is a 141.4 rating. He was able to stay poised in the pocket and find his targets, while his team gave him full support.
Zach Ertz, Alshon Jeffery, and Torrey Smith had over 60 receiving yards. Even after leading 24-7 at halftime, he and his team did not settle down as they kept being aggressive in the second half. One of his highlights was the 41-yard flea-flicker pass to Torrey Smith for a touchdown on the first drive of the second half. To do this all against that Minnesota is something that Philly fans will remember for years to come.
Facing Tom Brady
Foles has one more massive challenge to face, and that is playing against one of the all-time greats. Brady is gunning for ring number six and his third since 2014. Only Eli Manning has beaten the Patriots in the Super Bowl (twice), and Foles would love to be the second. The Eagles defense will need to get a lot of pressure on Brady and Foles, and the offense will have to put up as many points as possible because deficits do not phase the Patriots.
While it may not be the Brees-Brady Bowl like many had hoped, this is still a good matchup. Foles has proven to be a worthy opponent, and Brady continues to fear nothing. If Foles defeats Brady, he will be enshrined in Philadelphia sports forever.
