WASHINGTON — This was the only way Philadelphia was going to win its first Super Bowl.
No, I’m not referring to the predictable wave of destruction Eagles fans are unleashing on their own city. I’m talking about the way in which Philadelphia beat the New England Patriots, 41-33, in a thrilling and historic game.
This wasn’t just an upset. This wasn’t even the stunning David over Goliath way back when. This was Rocky beating Apollo Creed in Rocky II, one of Philly’s most celebrated victories of all time.
Philadelphia is a lot like the movie boxing legend, wearing the underdog label — and in this case, actual dog masks — as a badge of honor. They certainly earned it after losing quarterback Carson Wentz to a season-ending knee injury in Week 14. Nobody gave the Eagles a chance to win in the playoffs without him, yet here was Nick Foles going on a tear that led him to becoming the most unlikely Super Bowl MVP in recent memory.
Speaking of which — Foles might be one of the great Super Bowl stories in NFL history. The previously unheralded backup had an outstanding 115.7 QB rating in the playoffs, taking over the title of “Greatest Backup QB-to-Super Bowl Hero” tale from Jeff Hostetler, who famously helped the New York Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXV. But Ottis Anderson was the MVP of that game, not Hostetler. Foles threw for 373 yards and scored four total touchdowns Sunday, meaning he was legitimately the main reason the Eagles won the game.
However, Foles had help from some pretty unlikely sources. Just look at the heroes in this game: Corey Clement became the first undrafted rookie with 100 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in a Super Bowl. LeGarrette Blount (90 yards, TD) and Chris Long (two QB hits) were major contributors in becoming the first players to win a Super Bowl with one team and then defeat that team in the Super Bowl the following season.
That who’s who of “who’s that?” overcame some pretty long odds, not just this season but in this game. The Patriots churned up 113 rushing yards and Tom Brady was historically lights out, besting his own Super Bowl record with 505 passing yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions. No QB has ever had a line like that and lost a game, regular season or playoffs.
Yet there were the Eagles, going toe-to-toe with the greatest QB-coach combo in NFL history. The two teams combined for 1,151 yards of offense, the most ever in an NFL game of any kind. The 74 points scored were the second most in Super Bowl history. And Philly needed every point.
That’s why Eagles coach Doug Pederson kept rolling the dice. He knew he was basically playing with house money. Philadelphia was an underdog in every single one of their postseason games and they advanced to their first championship since 1960 because they took chances all year.
That’s what they did Sunday. Philly was a remarkably efficient 12-of-18 on 3rd and 4th down including 2-for-2 on the latter. The most memorable of those was the so-called “Philly Special,” on which Foles caught a 1-yard touchdown thrown by his backup tight end before halftime, becoming the first QB in Super Bowl history to catch a touchdown pass.
The Eagles did get some help from the Patriots. Former Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler was benched for reasons still unknown and Foles basically had his way throwing at anyone not named Stephon Gilmore. Until we get details, it’s hard not to think Bill Belichick coached his team into a corner.
There was also the dropped pass by Brady on a trick play, followed by the failed 4th down attempt on the next play when a 52-yard field goal attempt would have made more sense, as well as the missed field goal and the missed extra point. These are mistakes the Patriots generally don’t make.
But the Eagles earned this win. Patriots take their first lead of the game in the 4th quarter? No problem — here’s a 14-play drive for the go-ahead touchdown to Zach Ertz. Worried about a patented Brady comeback? Here’s a Brandon Graham strip sack to set up the insurance field goal. For every punch, Philly had a counter.
The underdog role has a shelf life, though. For the first time, the Eagles are now the hunted. They should have two of their best players — Wentz and Jason Peters — back from injury next season and the biggest free agent decision they have to make will be regarding Alshon Jeffery, whose impact could be seen on his 34-yard touchdown in the first quarter. There’s no reason to believe this isn’t the team to beat in 2018, and Las Vegas (somewhat) agrees.
But any talk of Philly going from destiny to dynasty should be tempered by the fact we’re still waiting for the 2010 Packers and 2013 Seahawks to cash in on that same multi-title potential. The only guarantee is that another championship is far from a given.
That said, Philadelphia has every right to feel like they’re on the cusp of something great. They’re the first team to find the right balance between football and social activism. For the first time, they don’t have to worry so much about the future — because they finally have a championship team in the present. And no amount of fluids can stop the celebration.
