J.Ross: Super Bowl Pick

I am saddened that we are coming to an end of the NFL season.  We have made it to the sports biggest game but I really do enjoy the entirety of the football season.  I love having games to talk about all week and look forward to recapping when the next week starts.  We have been trimming the teams down for the last couple of weeks and now we have made it to the last two standing.  The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots are both the number 1 seeds but their journey to the Super Bowl has been vastly different.

The Eagles were tracking the best team in the NFC for most of the season.  When MVP candidate Carson Wentz got hurt it sure looked like their dream season was over. To the Eagles credit they have utilized a well balanced attack to keep their momentum going.  They are good in all aspects of football and put Nick Foles in a position where he didn’t have to carry the team.  A funny thing happened along the way.  Foles has played really well and if he can repeat his performance from the NFC Championship game in the Super Bowl, then the Eagles may just get that elusive first Super Bowl.  They are well coached and right now they are playing that underdog role to their advantage.

For New England they are usually here.  It doesn’t mean it is easy.  This team was severely tested in the AFC Championship game when they were trailing to the Jacksonville Jaguars entering the 4th quarter.  The Jags were a young, hungry, and confident bunch that had the defending champs on the ropes.  New England has been without key contributors like Edelman, Hightower and others throughout the season and then lost their biggest offensive weapon Rob Gronkowski to a concussion.  The Patriots then did what they do best, they rallied.  New England made play after play and now is back in the Super Bowl.  For most teams to succeed you need a strong quarterback and head coach.  New England dominates in those two categories and Brady and Belichick are back to familiar territory.

As for the game on Sunday.  I really can see arguments made for both teams.  New England is calling the Eagles “the best” team they have played this season.  I honestly don’t think the Pats are giving the media lip service with that quote.  I do think that they believe that.  With that said I have seen New England thrive in these moments too many times.  Beilichick is so good at game planning and finding ways to gain advantages.  They may not have as many in this game but I do believe he will find them. Also when push comes to shove the most important position in football is quarterback.  Two thoughts here on that position from the Patriots side of things.  If they get down, you know that Brady is comfortable bringing them back.  If they play from out front, will Foles have the same kind of ability?  I think this has the makings of a very competitive and well played game but in the end I am picking the Patriots to hoist the trophy one more time by a score of 30-20.

 

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