(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Once the Eagles were slated to face the Patriots in the Super Bowl everyone ruled them out, except themselves. The Eagles believed they could do it. Now, the Eagles just won the Super Bowl. But how exactly did the Eagles win the Super Bowl?
The Eagles against all odds won the Super Bowl, but this wouldn't happen if it wasn't for Foles. The Eagles scored each drive, except two times. This is largely due to the play of Nick Foles. Not just the Quarterback play, but the Wide Receiver play too.
Foles threw for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns. He added one receiving TD as well. Even the one interception that Foles did throw was not his fault, as Alshon Jeffery actually had the ball pinned to his body and then lost control. He then tipped the ball up and it was intercepted by Duron Harmon. Foles was putting every throw on the mark. If Foles didn't play the way that he did the Eagles would not have brought their first Lombardi to Philadelphia.
These players are unsaid heroes. They may not be talked about much, but they made a huge impact in this game. This unit is the O-Linemen. They allowed no sacks the entire game against a Patriots defense that had 42 sacks over the course of the regular season, which was top 5 in the NFL.
This great play from the Eagles' O-Line allowed Nick Foles to have time in the pocket. This is very important to Foles, as he only completes 9% of pressured throws per ESPN.com. This is one of the reasons why Foles was able to have this type of game. O-Linemen are never considered for the MVP award, but if they were, this unit would have to be the MVPs. This O-Line has to be recognized for their unbelievable play.
All game the Eagles and Pats were going back and forth. Drive after drive. The Defenses just couldn't stop the high powered Offenses. It seemed like every play the Patriots were gaining 30 yards or more. Tom Brady threw for 505 yards(most in Super Bowl history) and 3 touchdowns. It may be true that the Eagles' defense was horrendous all game, but when it mattered most, the Eagles defense won the football game.
With a little more than two minutes left in Super Bowl 42, the Patriots were down 6, and had the ball with all 3 timeouts. It looked like Brady was gonna lead the Patriots to another game winning drive, and win the Super Bowl. And with the way the Patriots offense was playing all game, it was almost certain.
But that is if Brandon Graham didn't have anything to say about it. On the 2nd play of the potential game-winning drive, Brandon Graham came off the edge and got the Super Bowl's first sack of the game. But that's not it. Brady fumbled the ball, Derek Barnett recovered, and the Eagles were already in field goal range. The Eagles ran 3 run plays, and Jake Elliot lined up for the 46 yard field goal attempt.
Jake Elliot put it through the uprights, and the Eagles had a 8 point lead with 1 minute left. With the Pats having no timeouts left, and starting at the 10 yard line, this effectively won the game, as the Patriots had to throw up a prayer that fell short.
These are some of the players and units that helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl. Of course there are many more. Everyone must work together to win the Super Bowl. The Eagles didn't exactly play amazing the whole time, but they did when it mattered the most, and for this Eagles fans should be celebrating everywhere.