Eagles soar
Philadelphia wins NFL title, the first in team’s history
As their delirious fans sang their theme song and back-up quarterback-turned Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles 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 NFL championship game that rewrote the offensive record book.
Foles orchestrated 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 not one but two determined stands in the final moments on Sunday to nail down a 41-33 victory.
For the first time since 1960 — seven years before the first Super Bowl — the Eagles are champions of the NFL.
“We’ve played this game since we were little kids, we dreamed about this moment,” Foles said. “There are plenty of kids watching this game right now, dreaming about this moment ... and someday they will be here.”
In a record-setting shootout between Foles and five-time champ Brady of the heavily-favored Patriots, the Eagles pivot led a pressure-packed 75-yard drive to the winning touchdown — an 11-yard toss to Ertz with 2:21 to go.
Moments later, Derek Barnett recovered Brady’s fumble, setting up Jake Elliot’s 46-yard field goal for an 8-point lead.
Brady got his team to midfield as time expired, but his desperation pass to Rob Gronkowski fell short 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,” said Brandon Graham, whose hit caused Brady’s fumble.
The underdog Eagles (16-3) 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 rebounded from a 7-9 record last season.
Foles clinched the victory with the kind of drive that league MVP Brady is known for. It 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 the 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.
The Patriots (15-4) seemed ready to take their sixth championship in eight Super Bowls with Brady and coach Bill Belichick.
Brady threw for a game-record 505 yards and three TDs, hitting Gronkowski for 4 yards before Stephen Gostkowski’s extra point gave New England its first lead, 33-32.
Then Foles, a six-year veteran who usually backs up injured starter Carson Wentz, put together 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, 29, 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 (post1967) NFL game, and Brady’s 505 were the most in any playoff contest. The 40-year-old master 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.
“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.
The weird image of Brady ambling downfield on a pass pattern came three plays after New England lost receiver Brandin Cooks on a vicious 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 connected with Chris Hogan for 42 yards.
With 2:04 left in the half, it was Philly’s turn for a trick play. A short third-down throw to rookie Corey Clement turned into a 55-yard explosion down to the Patriots 8. On fourth down, it was Foles’ turn to morph into a receiver.
He did better than Brady. Clement took a direct snap, pitched to tight end Trey Burton, and the former Florida QB hit an uncovered Foles for the touchdown.