Final four teams overcame injuries to advance Get on Review-journal’s Super Bowl party list
The list of players sitting out this weekend’s conference championships is almost as impressive as the starting lineups: Julian Edelman. Carson Wentz. Dalvin Cook. Dont’a Hightower. Allen Robinson. Sam Bradford.
Following the NFL’S season of carnage that claimed the likes of, among others, Aaron Rodgers, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, J.J. Watt, Deshaun Watson, Odell Beckham
Jr. and Joe Thomas, this year’s final four all overcame not only the odds — “Minneapolis Miracle , anyone?” — but devastating injuries to key starters.
“We have a tough and resilient team,” Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long said of the NFC’S top seed , which is missing its second-year quarterback in Wentz, who was an MVP candidate when he blew out a knee in December.
Even before Wentz’s injury thrust Nick Foles into the starting job, the Eagles lost nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, playmaking middle linebacker Jordan Hicks, versatile return specialist Darren Sproles and special teams captain Chris Maragos.
Yet, here they are, 60 minutes from Super Bowl LII.
“I think that starts at the top with Doug, because he sets the tone for being resilient and even keeled,” Long said of coach Doug Pederson. “At the end of the day, we have a tough group of guys.”
So do the Minnesota Vikings, who are trying to reach their first Super Bowl in more than four decades and fulfill mantra to “Bring it Home” and become the first NFL team to play the title game in its own stadium.
And they’re doing so behind Case Keenum, who crashed Tom Brady’s playoff party along with fellow perennial backup Foles and Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles.
Keenum replaced Bradford, who had replaced an injured Teddy Bridgewater.
Bradford, now back as Keenum’s backup, blew out a knee in the first month of the season.
Behind coach Mike Zimmer, Minnesota rolled right along. Keenum deftly took over for Bradford, and Jerick Mckinnon and Latavius Murray became a productive backfield tandem.
“We’ve got a bunch of fighters on this team,” Zimmer said.
The Patriots reached their seventh straight AFC title game despite losing Edelman, Brady’s top target, to a torn ACL in the preseason, and Hightower to a torn chest muscle in November.
Linebacker Kyle Van Noy stepped in for Hightower and was third on
Las Vegas venues are getting ready for Super Bowl Sunday.
The Review-journal will again compile its annual list of Big Game parties around the valley, and we need your help.
For casinos, restaurants and bars that are hosting parties, send the information via a news release to sportsdesk@ reviewjournal.com. We will follow up to confirm your information.
The deadline for submissions is Jan. 25. Super Bowl LII is Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m.
the team with 73 tackles and second with 5½ sacks.
The Jaguars are the healthiest of the remaining playoff teams. They have only one opening-day starter on injured reserve: former Pro Bowl receiver Robinson, who tore his left ACL on Jacksonville’s opener.