Eagles, Patriots, set to clash in Minneapolis

Eagles, Patriots, set to clash in Minneapolis

Drew Schott, Features Editor

After an NFL season beset by national anthem protests and contract issues with Commissioner Roger Goodell, the matchup is set for Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On Feb. 5, the New England Patriots will battle the Philadelphia Eagles for the Lombardi Trophy in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX.

The Eagles, returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2004, are hoping to win their first Lombardi Trophy. Since the Bowl’s creation in 1967, the Eagles have been to the game two times, and have lost both matchups.

However, the Patriots, who are going to their third Super Bowl in the last four years, are looking to win back-to-back Super Bowls, a feat the team achieved in 2003 and 2004.

Despite a midseason ACL injury to quarterback and leading MVP candidate, Carson Wentz, the Eagles finished the regular season as the NFC’s top seed with a 13-3 record. The Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons 15-10 in the Divisional Round and in the NFC Championship, the team soundly dominated the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 behind 352 yards and three touchdowns from backup quarterback Nick Foles.

The Eagles’ success on offense can be credited to playmakers such as tight end Zach Ertz, who leads the team with 824 receiving yards, and dual-threat running back Jay Ajayi. On the defensive side of the ball, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox leads the Eagles with 5.5 sacks. Philadelphia’s defense is fourth in the league in total defense for the 2017 season.

After four games, the New England Patriots’ chances to continue AFC dominance were questioned as the team held a 2-2 record. However, the Patriots bounced back, winning 11 of their last 12 games on their way to a 13-3 record. New England is led by leading MVP candidate Tom Brady, who has thrown 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. With two 1,000 yard receivers in Brandin Cooks and Rob Gronkowski, Brady is second in the NFL with 276 passing yards per game.

Despite New England ranking 29th in total defense, the team is ranked fifth in scoring defense, allowing only 18.3 points per game. After a first round bye, the Patriots defeated the Tennessee Titans 35-14 and in the AFC Championship, New England won a 24-20 comeback thriller over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Currently, the Patriots enter the game as 5.5 betting favorites, making the Eagles the biggest Super Bowl underdogs since 2009. With the Lombardi Trophy at stake, this year’s Super Bowl rematch is sure to be an eventful game to conclude the 2017 season.