Eagles get to Brady at the right moment
MINNEAPOLIS — The Philadelphia Eagles defense gave up a Super Bowl-record 505 passing yards, but the unit came up big at the most important moment Sunday in the Eagles’ 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Eagles led 38-33 late in the fourth quarter when the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady got the ball with 2 minutes 21 seconds left.
On second down, the defensive line made a push and the secondary forced Brady away from his first read.
That enabled linebacker Brandon Graham to pressure Brady and knock the ball loose. End Derek Barnett recovered the ball, and the Eagles converted the turnover into a field goal that gave them an eightpoint lead.
“Basically I had a one on one,” Graham said, adding, “I was able to just swipe at the ball and it came out.
“I didn’t even realize I got [the ball] until I saw Derek Barnett pick it up, and the next thing you know we’re off the field. I’m just thankful I made the play when it came to me.”
Graham said the Eagles were “one step away” the entire game.
“We knew something was going to open up. One of them days one of those plays, he was going to have to hold the ball, and we wanted to make sure we were there to let him know, ‘Don’t hold on for too long because we coming.’ And I think it just shows how much we kept coming.”
Said Brady: “I was just holding the ball trying to get it downfield. Those guys had a good rush, and got in there and made a good play. They’ve been doing it all year.”
The Eagles’ only sack helped them win their first Super Bowl title.
Gronk returns
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski returned from the concussion he suffered in the AFC championship game against Jacksonville and caught a team-best nine passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
Gronkowski, who was sidelined for last season’s Super Bowl victory because of a back injury, caught touchdown passes of five and four yards against the Eagles, but he could not come down with a Hail Mary as time expired.
“It stinks to be on this side, for sure,” Gronkowski said of losing. “This stinks. You put all the hard work in the whole year. I’m proud of the boys. I’m proud to be on this team.”
Cooks injured
Patriots receiver Brandin Cooks left the game after sustaining a hit to the head from safety Malcolm Jenkins while running with the ball in the second quarter. He did not return.
“Obviously, it made an impact somewhat,” Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said, adding, “I’m more upset for [Cooks]. Has an opportunity to play in his first Super Bowl, and then to get short there, that was disappointing for him.”
The game was expected to be the last with the Patriots for McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The Indianapolis Colts are expected to announce McDaniels will be their head coach. The Detroit Lions are expected to announce Patricia as their head coach.
Butler didn’t do it
On a night when Nick Foles used crisp passing to lead the Eagles on a gamewinning drive, Patriots fans were surely looking for their defensive back who stole a Super Bowl win against the Seattle Seahawks three seasons ago.
Except Malcolm Butler couldn’t make a play, because he didn’t play on defense.
The guy whose goal-line interception gave the Patriots a victory over the Seahawks was inexplicably benched Sunday.
In true Patriots fashion, nobody seems to know why.
It could have been disciplinary, it could have been football related, coach Bill Belichick wasn’t saying, but Butler has an idea. “They gave up on me,” said Butler to ESPN.