Some random thoughts as we are exactly one week until Super Bowl LII... Eagles vs. Patriots:
* To beat the Pats next week the Eagles will need to overcome New England's mystic. The Patriots have won five Super Bowls, and are looking for six rings to tie the Steelers for the number of all-time Super Bowl victories. The Pats are so used to being in the big game, almost every February, that the hype shouldn't bother them.
As much as the Birds appear calm and down to business they are only human. Understandably, early nerves may be evident. It would help for Philly to get out to an early lead. The Eagles have gotten off to fast starts all season, so if the butterflies in the stomachs don't take over, they do have a good shot at jumping out in the first quarter. With the Birds' ground game and defense it would be nice to let New England and Tom Brady play catch-up. Only problem is, the Patriots thrive on coming back and erasing huge deficits to win.
There is a certain amount of invincibility to New England. You can get them down, but defeating them is another matter. There are a few keys, other than the obvious issues of not turning the ball over and limiting drive-killing penalties. Here are some thoughts:
- Stay aggressive.
As Jacksonville found out last week in the AFC Championship Game, you can't take your foot off the gas when playing the Patriots. Brady came back in the fourth quarter last week, as well as last February against Atlanta in the Super Bowl. Beta the champ, get revenge for 2005 and you are the new champs. Don't let up on offense. Don't simply sit on the ball if ahead. Doug Pederson, don't turtle-up. Stay as aggressive as you have been thru-out this season and during these playoffs.
- Get a consistent pass rush on Brady.
Knock if down if you can't sack Brady.When the Giants beat him twice in Super Bowls, their defensive line hassled Brady all game, Force him into mistakes. Make him hurry throws. Make him think and take that extra second before throwing the ball.
- Forget analytics.
All thru the playoffs the statistics and numbers have been against the Eagles. The media, so-called football experts and even Las Vegas have made the Eagles underdogs, mostly because of QB Nick Foles and stats which reflected that the Birds couldn't possibly win. Minnesota's defense was better...Atlanta's offense , with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, would shred the Eagle defense...But all season, especially after Carson Wentz got hurt, the team did it on emotion. They defied the odds, a team of destiny, and along with their fans, willed themselves to win.
-Win the war in the trenches.
Philadelphia is better on both sides of the ball, in their offensive and defensive lines. Most games come down to the war in the trenches. This game shouldn't be any different. Control both lines and the eagles will have a real shot at winning. Protect Foles, open up gashing holes for Ajayi, Blount and clement to run thru, give Foles time to throw on offense. On defense, get after Brady with the front four pass rush. Make interceptions when given the chance. Pick-six touchdowns and field position can lead to victory. Blitz at times to keep Brady honest. Don't allow him to stand in the pocket and pick the secondary apart. Stop the Patriots' run game, as the Eagles have done all year. Force Brady to convert third-and-long yardage all night.
- Execute on special teams.
I'm not asking for TDs on kick-off or punt returns. That threat hasn't been there since Darren Sproles got hurt early in the season. Cleanly catch punts. Don't allow long returns by New England. Win the battle for field position. Give your offense a short field to work with, whereas you make Brady drive long distances. Kicker Jake Elliot needs to make all of his kicks- extra-points as well as field goals- as the game should be close down to the wire. Don't do anything stupid on special teams that will cost the Eagles the Super Bowl.
- Believe.
The Eagles earned the right to be in the Super Bowl with the almighty Patriots. Don't be intimidated by them, or by the hype or the game itself. Just play Eagle football. Believe you can win, Wentz or no Wentz .If you have any doubts, look back at the magical season. It's destiny that the Eagles win their fist-ever Super Bowl this year. Who says you can't "play with house money and not win?" Who know if Wentz will ever lead the Birds back to the Super Bowl/ Take advantage of an aging Patriot team that is good, but maybe not as good as in the past. Once on the same playing field, it's 0-0 The past is the past, and that includes all of the previous five Super Bowls that New England has won. The Cubs won- why not the Eagles?
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