The time has finally come. Super Bowl 52 is just hours away, and it is time to put up or shut up for both the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. No one will remember what happened over the previous two weeks leading up to the big game; they will only recall the team that walks off the field victorious! So who is your pick to walk away as the 2018 Super Bowl champion?

Patriots drive for six

The New England Patriots can solidify themselves as the best sports franchise in history with a win today in Super Bowl 52. Tom Brady could win his sixth ring, which would be the most in NFL history, while the Patriots try to cement their position in NFL history as one of, if not the best franchise ever to hit the gridiron.

Both the Patriots and Eagles have a lot of similarities. They both can score a ton of points, and they both have great defenses - something many people forget when talking about New England.

The Eagles have the No. 1 defense in terms of postseason teams, giving up just 8 points per game so far in the playoffs. However, the Patriots have the best defense in points allowed since October 1st at just under 18 points per game.

While everyone thinks of Brady, Gronk, Amendola, and the offense, the defense for the Patriots is quietly one of the best in the NFL. The irony is that the same can be said about the Eagles. This Super Bowl is truly fairly even in terms of player matchups.

Nick Foles has taken over for the injured Carson Wentz at QB, and so far the Eagles have not missed a beat.

Can Foles be the backup who leads his team to a world championship, and if he does is there a controversy in Philadelphia next season at the quarterback position? Tons of questions will be answered as Super Bowl 52 unfolds, but we are here to pick the winner before the game begins!

Prediction

First off, throw all the stats out the window.

NFL fans know Brady is a legend and the Patriots are the premier franchise in the NFL. They also know that the Eagles have been great all season long and are more than capable of winning today’s big game. So what will be the difference in Super Bowl 52? The Patriots' defense.

Still overlooked by many, the Pats defense is overshadowed by Brady and the offense in the media big time.

New England will relish in the role of being that “other defense” in Super Bowl 52. The Eagles defense is great and worthy of all the praise it is receiving, but the Pats are just as good on that side of the ball - and they love being the team that is being slighted.

This game should be an epic battle, but in the end, the Patriots pull away.

Pick -- Patriots 34, Eagles 24

How to watch live:

Fans who want to watch the 2018 Super Bowl live will be able to do so anywhere in the world! NBC will broadcast the Super Bowl nationally and on its website and through its NBC Sports app for free. So you can catch every play as it happens on your PC, tablet, smartphone or any other device you have! Whether you have Amazon Fire TV, Android, Windows, Roku, iOS, Chromecast, Xbox, Samsung NBC Sports has you covered.

Kick off is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET.