The SuperBowl 2018 Thread
Super Bowl 2018: Eagles vs. Patriots Box Score and Stats Predictions
The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots will meet for the first time since December 6, 2015 at Super Bowl LII. During the last meeting, three touchdowns from the defense and special teams led the Eagles to their only victory against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
The four regular-season meetings and one Super Bowl showdown between the two teams have seen a wide array of participants enter into featured roles, with Brady being the lone constant figure.
For example, Nick Foles is the fifth Eagles quarterback Brady will face. Donovan McNabb, A.J. Feeley, Vince Young and Sam Bradford are the others.
When putting together a statistical projection for Super Bowl LII, it's hard to find players other than Brady with familiarity against their opponent, and only a handful of key contributions from the 2015 meeting at Gillette Stadium remain on both rosters.
Based off the head-to-head totals that are available, playoff production and recent performances, we took a shot at predicting what Sunday's box score may look like.
Passing Stats
Nick Foles: 20-of-37, 275 yards, 2 TD
Foles entered the postseason with a wide range of criticism directed at him for his last two regular-season performances against the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, but he's responded in a way few expected.
The Eagles quarterback threw for 246 yards in the divisional-round victory over the Atlanta Falcons and put on a show in the NFC Championship Game, as he totaled 352 yards in the air and three touchdowns.
It's not likely that Foles replicates his marvelous showing from two weeks ago in the Super Bowl, but head coach Doug Pederson will set him up with a game plan that allows him to succeed and outgain Brady.
Tom Brady: 21-of-32, 260 yards, 3 TD
Brady might not throw for more yards than Foles, but he'll have the more efficient day in the pocket and throw for one more touchdown, a pass that should secure New England's sixth Super Bowl win.
In five games against the Eagles, including Super Bowl XXXIX, Brady has thrown for 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. One of the picks was turned into a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown by Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins in 2015.
Look for Brady to find tight end Rob Gronkowski early in the game as he tries to develop a rhythm with the large target, who told reporters on Tuesday he should be cleared from the concussion protocol on Wednesday, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.
In addition to Gronkowski, Brady may look to occupy the Eagles linebackers by finding running back James White on short routes. White has a pair of 100-yard receiving games in his career, one in Super Bowl LI and the other in the 2015 meeting with the Eagles.
Rushing Stats
Eagles
Jay Ajayi: 15 carries, 70 yards
LeGarrette Blount: 7 carries, 24 yards
Jay Ajayi played the Patriots on three occasions with the Miami Dolphins and totaled 75 yards on 28 carries.
The struggles of the current Eagles running back against the New England defense will end on Sunday, as he plays a major role in the offense by producing a few thunderous runs of over 10 yards.
LeGarrette Blount, who won the Super Bowl with the Patriots a year ago, will be relied upon in short-yardage situations and in the red zone, but he won't be able to score against his former employer.
Patriots
Dion Lewis: 12 carries, 55 yards
James White: 9 carries, 34 yards
No one knows what to expect from the New England running backs given how large a role Brady is expected to play in the passing game.
If Brady finds success early through the air, the Patriots may stick to that game plan and avoid taking him out of a rhythm by feeding the ball to running backs Dion Lewis and White.
Conversely, the Patriots could use the run to set up the pass and then turn to it on occasion to keep the Eagles defense honest.
Either way, don't expect Lewis and White to make their mark on the contest on the ground. Their biggest impact could come in the passing game, especially White.
Receiving Stats
Eagles
Zach Ertz: 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD
Alshon Jeffery: 5 receptions, 68 yards, TD
Torrey Smith: 4 receptions, 55 yards
Nelson Agholor: 3 receptions, 45 yards
Corey Clement: 2 receptions, 31 yards
Tight end Zach Ertz and No. 1 wide receiver Alshon Jeffery should be targeted by Foles a good amount, but his first main target will be wide receiver Torrey Smith, who has Super Bowl experience from his time with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Eagles haven't shied away from launching a deep ball in the direction of Smith to start a game, which is why we think Smith will easily eclipse the two receptions and 35 yards he earned in Super Bowl XLVII.
Ertz and Jeffrey will be called upon in the red zone to make touchdown catches, and Foles will turn to both of them for a few key third-down conversions.
Look for wide receiver Nelson Agholor to be a weapon in the slot if Jeffrey and Smith are occupied, and don't be surprised if running back Corey Clement gets involved, especially when the Eagles are in need of yards on third down. Six of Clement's 16 receptions in 2017 have come on third down, as have both of his receiving touchdowns.
Patriots
Danny Amendola: 8 receptions, 97 yards, TD
Rob Gronkowski: 4 receptions, 85 yards, TD
James White: 6 receptions, 60 yards, TD
Brandin Cooks: 3 receptions, 18 yards
It comes as no surprise that wide receiver Danny Amendola and Gronkowski will be Brady's top targets on Sunday.
Amendola has 18 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns this postseason, and he was thrown to on 11 occasions in Super Bowl LI.
The former Eagles practice squad player should occupy defensive backs alongside wide receiver Brandin Cooks, while Gronkowski uses his size to create a mismatch across the middle.
Just like he was a year ago, White will be a vital asset on underneath routes, but this year he'll benefit from the space Gronkowski opens up.
With Amendola and Gronkowski receiving most of the targets, Cooks may be forced to play a diminished role as he takes on an extra defender with the Eagles trying to prevent the deep threat of the former New Orleans player.
Score After Each Quarter
1st Quarter: Eagles 3, Patriots 3
2nd Quarter: Eagles 10, Patriots 3
3rd Quarter: Eagles 17, Patriots 16
Final: Patriots 23, Eagles 17
We know we sound far from original by stating Brady will lead a fourth-quarter comeback to win the Super Bowl, but that's what we're going with.
The Eagles will play stingy defense in the first half, which will force head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to make halftime adjustments.
Foles will play well enough for three quarters to keep the Eagles in the contest, but once Brady pulls the Patriots into the lead in the middle of the fourth quarter, the five-time champion won't let go of the advantage.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-vs-patriots-box-score-and-stats-predictions
.. I am as hard core Eagles fan as the best of them..
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...... noooooooooooooooo
