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PHI |
NE |
Foles, Eagles outshoot Patriots for 1st Super Bowl, 41-33
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) As their delirious fans sang their theme song and their owner lifted the Lombardi Trophy, the Philadelphia Eagles finally could breathe freely.
Yo, Philly, you really did beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in a thrilling Super Bowl that rewrote the offensive record book.
Nick Foles guided the drive of a lifetime, Zach Ertz made a bobbling touchdown catch that had to survive replay review, and an exhausted defense came up with two stands in the final moments Sunday for a 41-33 victory. For the first time since 1960, the Eagles are NFL champions.
''Fly Eagles Fly,'' indeed.
''We've played this game since we were little kids, we dreamed about this moment,'' game MVP Foles said. ''There's plenty of kids watching this game right now dreaming about this moment and someday will be here.''
In a record-setting shootout between backup QB Foles and five-time champ Brady of the favored Patriots, Foles led a pressure-packed 75-yard drive to the winning touchdown, 11 yards to Ertz with 2:21 to go .
Then Brandon Graham strip-sacked Brady and Derek Barnett recovered, setting up rookie Jake Elliot's 46-yard field goal for an 8-point lead.
Brady got his team to midfield, but his desperation pass fell to the ground in the end zone.
''For us, it was all about one stop we had to make. We went out here and made that one stop,'' Graham said.
The underdog Eagles (16-3), even injured starting quarterback Carson Wentz, came bolting off the sideline in ecstasy while Brady sat on the ground, disconsolate.
It was the first Super Bowl title for Philadelphia (16-3), which went from 7-9 last season.
''If there's a word (it's) called everything,'' Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said. ''That's what it means to Eagles fans everywhere. And for Eagles fans everywhere, this is for them.''
Super Bowl MVP Foles orchestrated the victory with the kind of drive NFL MVP Brady, a five-time champion, is known for. The drive covered 14 plays, including a fourth-down conversion.
''I felt calm. I mean, we have such a great group of guys, such a great coaching staff,'' Foles said. ''We felt confident coming in, and we just went out there and played football.''
The Eagles had to survive a video replay because ball popped into the air as Ertz crossed the goal line.
''If they would have overturned that, I don't know what would have happened to the city of Philadelphia,'' Ertz said. ''But I'm so glad they didn't overturn it.''
The touchdown stood - and so did thousands of green-clad Eagles fans who weren't going to mind the frigid conditions outside US Bank Stadium once they headed out to celebrate. But not before a rousing rendition of ''Fly Eagles Fly'' reverberated throughout the stands once the trophy was presented to Lurie. Later, fans danced along with the ''Gonna Fly Now,'' the theme from ''Rocky,'' the city's best-known fictional underdog.
The Patriots (15-4) seemed ready to take their sixth championship with Brady and coach Bill Belichick in eight Super Bowls. Brady threw for a postseason record 505 yards and three TDs, hitting Rob Gronkowski for 4 yards before Stephen Gostkowski's extra point gave New England its first lead, 33-32.
Then Foles made Eagles fans forget Wentz - at least for now - with the gutsiest drive of his life.
''We couldn't make a play to give the ball back to the offense,'' Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore said.
Foles has been something of a journeyman in his six pro seasons, but he has been spectacular in four career playoff games. He finished 28 of 43 for 373 yards and three TDs.
The combined 1,151 yards were the most in any modern NFL game. The 40-year-old Brady finished 28 of 48 and picked apart the Eagles until the final two series.
Brady indicated he will return for a 19th season even as Gronkowski was hedging on his future.
''I mean it's 15 minutes after the game ended, so I'd like to process this a little bit,'' Brady said. ''I wouldn't see why I wouldn't be back.''
Gronkowski, who has played eight superb but injury-riddled years, said ''I am definitely going to look at my future.''
It was such a wild game that Foles caught a touchdown pass , and Brady was on the opposite end of a Danny Amendola throw that went off his fingertips.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson brought home the championship in his second year in charge. Belichick is 5-3 in Super Bowls, most of them decided by less than a touchdown.
So this one was in keeping with that trend: breathtaking and even a bit bizarre.
Brady and the Patriots looked ready for another comeback by opening the second half with a 75-yard touchdown drive. Gronkowski was unstoppable, grabbing four passes for 69 yards, including the 5-yard score.
Philly didn't flinch, answering with a precise 75-yard march with three more third-down conversions. The Eagles finished 10 for 16 on third. The last was a perfect pass by Foles to Corey Clement over double coverage, and the rookie's reception was upheld by review, putting the Eagles up 10.
Brady shrugged and, getting steadfast protection, connected with Chris Hogan from the 26 for another touchdown.
When all the Eagles could manage was Jake Elliott's 42-yarder for a 32-26 lead, it seemed inevitable the Patriots would go in front, then become the first repeat Super Bowl winner since they did it in the 2004 and `05 games.
Foles, Ertz, and - at last - a revitalized defense said otherwise.
The weird image of Brady ambling downfield on a pass pattern came three plays after New England lost receiver Brandin Cooks to a concussion on a vicious but clean hit by Malcolm Jenkins in the second quarter. Amendola's pass required an over-the-shoulder grab and the ball fell off Brady's outstretched hands.
Brady got back to passing after a wild interception. Alshon Jeffery nearly made a spectacular catch near the Patriots' goal line, only to juggle the ball into the air. Duron Harmon picked it off at the 10. Moments later, Brady was connecting with Chris Hogan for 42 yards.
James White broke several tackles with a brilliant 26-yard run and it was 15-12. That gave White seven touchdowns in his past three postseason games, including the overtime winner in last year's Super Bowl.
But the Eagles still had 2:04 left in the half - and some more magic in their bag.
A short third-down throw Clement turned into a 55-yard gain to the Patriots 8. Philly got to the 1 and on fourth down, and it was Foles' turn to morph into a receiver.
He did better than Brady. On fourth down, Clement took a direct snap, pitched to tight end Trey Burton, and the former Florida QB hit an uncovered Foles. The Eagles were up 22-12 at halftime, the most points New England has allowed in the opening half of a Super Bowl under Belichick.
Each kicker had issues, with Elliott missing an extra point, his fifth miss this season. Then Gostkowski hit the left upright with a 26-yard field goal after holder Ryan Allen mishandled the snap. Gostkowski also missed an extra point.
When LeGarrette Blount, who won the title last season with the Patriots, scored on a 21-yard burst, Pederson went for 2, but the pass failed, making it 15-3.
The Eagles and Pederson brushed it off and stayed with their usual aggressive approach. Breathtakingly, it eventually paid off.
---
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N. Foles
9 QB 373 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, INT |
36
FPTS
|
|
T. Brady
12 QB 505 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, 6 RuYds |
36
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
L. Blount
29 RB
15 FPTS
|
L. Blount | 14 | 90 | 1 | 36 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ajayi
36 RB
5 FPTS
|
J. Ajayi | 9 | 57 | 0 | 26 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Agholor
13 WR
8 FPTS
|
N. Agholor | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Clement
30 RB
16 FPTS
|
C. Clement | 3 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. Clement
30 RB
16 FPTS
|
C. Clement | 5 | 4 | 100 | 1 | 55 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Agholor
13 WR
8 FPTS
|
N. Agholor | 11 | 9 | 84 | 0 | 24 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Jeffery
17 WR
13 FPTS
|
A. Jeffery | 8 | 3 | 73 | 1 | 34 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Ertz
86 TE
12 FPTS
|
Z. Ertz | 9 | 7 | 67 | 1 | 19 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Smith
82 WR
4 FPTS
|
T. Smith | 9 | 5 | 49 | 0 | 17 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Foles
9 QB
36 FPTS
|
N. Foles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Burton
88 TE
6 FPTS
|
T. Burton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. Mills
31 CB
|
J. Mills | 6-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Graham
24 DB
|
C. Graham | 5-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Darby
41 CB
|
R. Darby | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. McLeod
23 FS
|
R. McLeod | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Bradham
53 OLB
|
N. Bradham | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Jenkins
27 SS
|
M. Jenkins | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Robinson
21 CB
|
P. Robinson | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. Curry
75 DE
|
V. Curry | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Kendricks
95 OLB
|
M. Kendricks | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Graham
55 DE
|
B. Graham | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Allen
94 DT
|
B. Allen | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. Cox
91 DT
|
F. Cox | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Jernigan
93 DT
|
T. Jernigan | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Long
56 DE
|
C. Long | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Elliott
4 K
11 FPTS
|
J. Elliott | 3/3 | 46 | 2/3 | 11 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
D. Jones
8 P
|
D. Jones | 1 | 41.0 | 0 | 41 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Barner
38 RB
0 FPTS
|
K. Barner | 3 | 24.3 | 27 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Clement
30 RB
16 FPTS
|
C. Clement | 1 | 25.0 | 25 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
T. Brady
12 QB
36 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 28/48 | 505 | 3 | 0 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Amendola
80 WR
15 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. White
28 RB
12 FPTS
|
J. White | 7 | 45 | 1 | 26 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Lewis
33 RB
3 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 9 | 39 | 0 | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Burkhead
34 RB
5 FPTS
|
R. Burkhead | 3 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Brady
12 QB
36 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hogan
15 WR
18 FPTS
|
C. Hogan | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Cooks
14 WR
2 FPTS
|
B. Cooks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. Amendola
80 WR
15 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 11 | 8 | 152 | 0 | 50 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hogan
15 WR
18 FPTS
|
C. Hogan | 8 | 6 | 128 | 1 | 43 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Gronkowski
87 TE
23 FPTS
|
R. Gronkowski | 15 | 9 | 116 | 2 | 25 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Burkhead
34 RB
5 FPTS
|
R. Burkhead | 1 | 1 | 46 | 0 | 46 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Cooks
14 WR
2 FPTS
|
B. Cooks | 2 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 23 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. White
28 RB
12 FPTS
|
J. White | 6 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 15 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Dorsett
13 WR
1 FPTS
|
P. Dorsett | 2 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Develin
46 FB
0 FPTS
|
J. Develin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Brady
12 QB
36 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. McCourty
32 FS
|
D. McCourty | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Chung
23 SS
|
P. Chung | 6-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Rowe
25 CB
|
E. Rowe | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Van Noy
53 OLB
|
K. Van Noy | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Gilmore
24 CB
|
S. Gilmore | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Harmon
30 SS
|
D. Harmon | 3-2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Richards
37 SS
|
J. Richards | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Guy
93 DE
|
L. Guy | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Roberts
52 OLB
|
E. Roberts | 2-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Brown
90 DT
|
M. Brown | 2-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Flowers
98 DE
|
T. Flowers | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Butler
70 DT
|
A. Butler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Flowers
59 LB
|
M. Flowers | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Harrison
92 OLB
|
J. Harrison | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. Gostkowski
3 K
9 FPTS
|
S. Gostkowski | 2/3 | 45 | 3/4 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Lewis
33 RB
3 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 3 | 15.0 | 25 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |