* My 3 keys to an Eagles win tomorrow night in the Super Bowl....
1. On offense, don't get into third-and-long situations. As in the NFC Championship Game against Minnesota, the Birds got huge chunks of yards on first and second downs, making third downs easier to pick up. Moving the chains, making first downs keeps drives going and also keeps the ball out of Tom Brady's hands. Take shots downfield, as Foles did against Minnesota, but keep moving the chains.
The Eagles score touchdowns in the red zone. Philly will probably score first, as is their nature, while the Patriots get off to slow starts, especially in Super Bowls, then try to rally at the end. Get off to a fast start and make Brady play catch-up, as the Birds rely on their defense to seal the deal.
2. On defense, keep the pressure on Brady. A constant pass rush will force Brady to make quicker decisions, hopefully make him throw the ball before he is ready, and hopefully force mistakes. Brady will check down a lot, using his backs and throwing short passes underneath coverage. Defense coordinator Jim Schwartz tends to play soft, so Brady will dink and dunk his way down the field. So be it. Just don't give up the big play by biting on the double-move.
Sack Brady but also hit him all night. Put him on his back and make him skitterish. He is Tom Brady, after all, so he won't totally lose his cool, but you can rattle him a bit and throw off his timing, which can make a big difference.
Schwartz needs to blitz at times so Brady doesn't settle in the pocket and pick the secondary apart. A key interception may be the big play the defense needs to win the game.
3. No turnovers and limit penalties.The Eagles were lucky in the playoff game vs Atlanta when they lost the turnover battle but still won the game. Turnovers lead to points and changing field position, giving nick Foles a shorter field to work with. New England doesn't give the ball away, yet they don't produce a lot of take-aways either. As long as the Birds come out on top of the turnover stat they will be OK.Ball security is paramount to winning.
Limit penalties. The Eagles committed too many penalties this season, infractions and mistakes which killed drives on offense and prolonged opponents' drives on defense. We know that the Pats will get most of the calls tomorrow, as New England always does. Roll with the punches, overcome the officials and make it so the refs can't steal the game from you.
* Countless Eagles chants were heard at the Wells Fargo Center last night, scene of the Sixers victory over Miami. pretty amazing, seeing how basketball fans paid to see a 76ers game, yet literally hundreds of Eagles' chants echoed thru-out the arena.
* Two interesting New England stats: The Patriots have not scored a single point in the first quarter of any of their previous Super bowls; and , the Pats have only one pass over 30 yards in their previous Super bowls. One.
The Eagles can get off to a fast start. New England counter-punches,makes adjustments and goes from there. Getting a lead, knowing that Brady and co. will try to rally later, building a cushion, so to speak, is big. But once you've got the lead, stay aggressive. Learn from Jacksonville in the AFC Championship Game. Pederson went for more points at the end of the first half against the Vikings, whereas the Jags knelt on the ball with over 50 seconds left in their first half at new England. Pederson won't turtle-up.
Brady will take shots down the field, but mostly he will take the open, short passes the Eagles' secondary gives him. Eagle corner backs can attempt to jump routes. Be aware of wide receiver Brandon Cooks, who has tremendous speed. Don't let Cooks get behind the secondary. Tackle, don't allow yards after the catch, and stop the New England ground game.
* 1.35 billion chicken wings will be consumed this weekend. Imagine all the food and drinks downed tomorrow night?
* I admire Coach Doug Pederson even more. He kept the team together when Carson Wentz went down with a knee injury. The team's morale had to sag a bit when the "Wentz Wagon" was derailed in Los Angeles. But unlike Green Bay, who totally imploded after Aaron Rodgers was hurt, Pederson gave Nick Foles the confidence he needed to succeed. Pederson tailored the offense to Foles' strengths, adjusted the game-plan and knew what it took to reassure Foles and the team that everything would be OK.
It had to help that both Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich were both back-up quarterbacks in the NFL. Their experience and knowledge had to help Foles, not only in technique, but confidence-wise as well.
Sounds like Pederson won't win Coach of the Year. That's a joke. Why not vote for those honors after the playoffs are over?
* Hopefully both Brian Dawkins and Terrell Owens make the Pro Football Hall of Fame tonight, especially Dawkins,w ho has waited long enough to get in.What an appropriate way to start of an Eagles weekend to remember by seeing Dawk and T.O. finally get their just-do.
* Again, my prediction: I like the hot team. New England struggled at home vs. Jacksonville before winning; Philadelphia destroyed Minnesota and their vaunted defense, 38-7. Philly has revenge, have a chip on their shoulder as an underdog, and are simply the better team.
Eagles 23 Patriots 17
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