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Super Bowl LII was one of the most competitive championships in any sport by a number of measures. One of those was the eye test as the Rutgers North Patriots battled Jersey Shore south's team: the Philadelphia Eagles. In the warm confines of the dome in frigid Minneapolis, the whole world watched the 52nd Super Bowl. The Patriots looked for their sixth Super Bowl title which would move Tom Brady into sole possession of the most rings as a player ever. (Currently tied with Charles Haley)
The Eagles attempting to blow it open were victimized by a Harmon interception after a tip by Alshon Jeffery who up to that point looked unstoppable. After Jeffery tipped it to himself and was about to secure the catch from the ground, Harmon swooped in for the pick. After that it was back and forth as the game saw only one punt and the most combined total yards of any NFL playoff game ever.
1st turnover of Super Bowl goes to #Patriots on INT by Harmon. Pats are 16-0 in postseason under Belichick when winning TO margin
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) February 5, 2018
Key play with less than three minutes and the Patriots clinging to a one point lead. On a third down, Eagles tight end Zach Ertz scored what was ruled a touchdown after being tripped by Devin McCourty and bobbling the ball. After review, the play was upheld as Ertz was ruled a runner before breaking the plane of the end zone. Eagles lead 38-33 after a failed two point attempt.
So the quarterback with five comeback super bowl wins had a chance to do it again. After an easy completion on first, Brady was strip sacked and the Eagles took possession. After three runs into the line, Philly kicked a field goal to go up 41-33 with 65 seconds to play.
So all of a sudden it was Groundhog Day again as the Pats needed 8 to force OT like they did one year ago against Atlanta. On first down, NJ native Chris Hogan had a step but was overthrown by Brady. Two more incompletions and the Pats faced a 4th and 10 from their own 9 which they converted with less than 30 seconds left. The Pats did enough to get a Hail Mary try, but it was batted away. Eagles are first time Super Bowl champs.
Britt did not record a catch but the Patriors still tallied 505 yards through the air. Harmon added the interception and five tackles as he was on the field seemingly every play. Devin McCourty was involved in a few key plays to force field goal attempts and finished with seven tackles.
Wow, congrats to the winners and to those on the long side, no shame in that defeat: an all-time classic. It is the Eagles first Super Bowl championship but the NFL did exist prior to that and the Eagles did win their most recent (three pre-super bowl era) title in 1960.
To my friends who are Eagles fans, Fly Eagles Fly!
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