For me, as a big time football fan, the Super Bowl has always been one of the most bitter sweet days of the year. On one hand it does not get any bigger than this considering that this is the game that will determine the world's best football team for this past season. However, once this game is over, we have 7 months starring us in the face without football.
Besides that, the Super Bowl usually consists of two teams I am not a big fan of, so I end up having to choose between the lesser of two evils (in many cases, its almost like a giant douche and a turd sandwich). This has been the case for most of my life. As a kid I suffered thru four 49ers championships, and seeing the Redskins win was not my idea of a good time either. Then in my adult life, the Patriots have ruined so many for me. Even seeing them lose to the Giants those times was a relief more than anything. The Panthers making the Super Bowl two years ago brought me great hope, but seeing them lose as Peyton Manning (my least favorite player along with Brady) was undeservingly given a ring on his way out was a real kick in the teeth.
This year's matchup gives us he Eagles and the Patriots. I actually like this Eagles team better than I ever thought I would under former coaches Chip Kelly and even Andy Reed, but a Vikings-Jags Super Bowl is what wouldve really excited me. Still, I am pulling for these Eagles big time. I guess it would be nice to see Nick Foles step in and lead them to a championship, and Ive never really liked Philly fans but they are passionate and they have waited a long time for this.
In terms of what I expect to happen, I honestly believe the Eagles have a real chance. The keys to the game in my opinion are as follows. The Eagles have an excellent defensive line, and if the refs do not let the Patriots offensive linemen get away with holding all day like they did against the Jacksonville Jaguars, I think they can get to Brady a lot, which will allow that Eagles defense to impose its will.
Also, if Nick Foles can play a decent game, I think that will be huge. He does not even have to play as well as he did in the NFC championship. He just has to be decently effective and make the throws he should make. If he can do that, the Eagles offense should be able to move the ball. What would further help their cause is if at least one of their two powerful running backs (Jay Ajayi and Legarrette Blunt) can step up and play at their highest level. Each of these guys, especially Ajayi, can make big plays and carry a team if they come out ready to embrace the moment. Blunt, however, may have some extra incentive, as he will be going against the team he had had his greatest success with but chose not to re-sign in this past off season.
-Backup QB Nick Foles (filling in for an injured Carson Wentz) is perhaps the biggest key to the Eagles success today (image from SI.com).
The Patriots will be tough, and they will not beat themselves. They have the league's best QB and best coach, but I think Doug Peterson of Philly is also an excellent coach and will not get out coached by too much. My prediction is that if the game is fairly called, the Eagles win 24-17 with Fletcher Cox as Super Bowl MVP.
