The much anticipated matchup of Super Bowl LII favors the Eagles in several areas of the field and the team hopes to exploit them during the game. The Eagles have proven throughout the season that they possess a dominant offensive line, defensive line, and running game. The Birds offense has only allowed two sacks in the postseason which has given Nick Foles plenty of time to deliver to his receivers. The defensive line has also dominated in the trenches as they have earned four sacks and one fumble recovery throughout the 2018 playoffs. The teams’s success in the running game has been a key element in this playoff run as they have gained 206 total rushing yards where 127 of those yards have come from Jay Ajayi. These are some of the biggest headlines in which the Eagles have to utilize to their advantage in order to win their first Super Bowl title in team history.
A key element for the Birds in this game will be to protect Foles when he is in the pocket and continue to create lanes for the running backs to exploit and capitalize on big runs. Our defensive line certainly has the edge over the Patriots o-line as Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, and Derek Barnett have put plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks throughout the postseason. The d-line as a unit have forced the QB into many errant and forced throws in the past few games as they look to bring the heat against Brady and the Pats o-line this week. The Eagles defensive line must win the battle of the trenches in this game as they have gotten 271 pressured snaps which ranks the most in the NFL. Since the Eagles defensive line has put plenty of pressure on the QB throughout the season, this has given the secondary time to settle in and shut down opposing receivers as both Patrick Robinson and Corey Graham have acquired an interception in the playoffs. The Eagles defense will look to play a big part in this game as they have averaged 7.5 points allowed in the playoffs which is an incredible stat.
Here is a huge play made by Patrick Robinson that gave the Eagles a big boost of momentum early in the game and helped spark the offense. Plays like this in the Super Bowl could prove vital to a potential Eagles victory.
The Birds must win the turnover battle and take care of the ball on offense in order to have a good chance of defeating this dominant Patriots team. Another crucial key to victory is the continued prosperity of the running game as Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount, and Corey Clement have combined for a total of 192 rushing yards in the postseason. Blount has contributed in a big way throughout the playoffs as he scored two rushing touchdowns that proved vital in the Eagles NFC divisional and championship round wins.
Blount bulldozed his way into the end zone on this run as he scored the Eagles second touchdown of the game. He will look to punish defenders and capitalize on powerful runs in the Super Bowl.
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While the Patriots may have more experience of playing in the Super Bowl, there are seven players on the Eagles roster that have been to the big game before and won it. Although Brady and Belichick have earned five Super Bowl titles together, the Eagles will look to end their dominance and success in the league over the past 10 years. This all starts with the great play calling and game planning of Doug Pederson as he looks to put his team in the best possible position in order to bring home a Vince Lombardi Trophy. Pederson has done a tremendous job in devising an excellent scheme and by building up Foles’ confidence throughout the past few games in a crucial way. Nick frequently got into a rhythm and completed a high percentage of his throws as the game went on. Foles has a completion percentage of 77.8% throughout the playoffs, which ranks better than Brady in that category for this year. The Birds will have a good chance of ending the Patriots dynasty if they play aggressive, while consistently executing and working well together as a team. It will also be very important for the Eagles to keep up the intensity and dominate in their strong suits of this matchup throughout the entirety of the game.
When everything is said and done, this matchup could come down to a game-winning field goal from Eagles rookie kicker, Jake Elliott. If this Super Bowl ends up being a close game and tightly contested matchup which is anticipated, then Elliott could have the opportunity of a lifetime to end the game with his leg and serve as our hero. Elliott has had a very successful 2018 season as he made a 61 yard game-winning field goal in week three and also converted on four of four field goals this postseason. All in all, Eagles fans should have utmost confidence in this Eagles teams as they have repeatedly proven the doubters wrong, time and time again. The players will certainly believe in each other as well as put their unity and faith in each other’s hands in hopes of piecing together a special performance in the final game of the season. Fly Eagles Fly!
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