Friday, January 26, 2018

SUPER BOWL LII PREVIEW

By BRENDAN O’LEARY

BRENDAN O'LEARY FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY
The past couple of NFL playoff games have definitely been memorable.  Whether fans thought the New Orleans Saints would hold the lead the entire game, or the Jacksonville Jaguars would somehow take down Tom Brady and the Patriots, fans were probably in shock and awe at the outcomes.  The upcoming matchup is one that was very unexpected, but has the potential to be a great one.

This year’s matchup between the Eagles and the Patriots could be another shocking game with endless possibilities.  Nobody expected the Minnesota Vikings’ star wide receiver, Stefon Diggs to haul in a 61-yard touchdown as time expired to beat the Saints, or for the Jacksonville Jaguars to blow a 20-10 lead against the Patriots.  This just goes to show that anything is possible when it comes down to playoffs.

For star quarterback, Tom Brady, this game will be nothing new for him as it is going to be his 8th Super Bowl appearance.  Out of eight games, Brady has only lost twice so, naturally, the odds are already in favor of the New England Patriots.  It’s not like he can’t back up those odds.  At 40 years old, he has had one of his best seasons of his career, throwing for 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns while leading the Patriots to a 13-3 record.  If there is anyone that knows how to win a Super Bowl, it’s obviously Brady and New England head coach Bill Belichick.

Coming into their third Super Bowl appearance ever, the Philadelphia Eagles are looking to take down, arguably, the most hated team in the NFL while looking for their franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.  Coincidentally in 2004,  the last time the Eagles were in the Super Bowl, they lost to the Patriots 24-21.  

Enough dwelling on the past.  The Eagles faced a huge obstacle late in the season, losing their young star quarterback Carson Wentz to an ACL tear in fourteenth week.  It was up to veteran backup quarterback, Nick Foles, to get the job done in the playoffs and he made it look somewhat effortless.  In the NFC championship game, Foles threw for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns.  The Eagles managed to destroy a powerful Minnesota Vikings defense, beating them 38-7.

Now let’s take a look at this from some fans’ perspectives.  Some people believe Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are “Cheaters who use their talent as a way to get the refs on their side,” which was angrily stated by Giants’ fan Daniel Luedke.  On the other hand, lifelong Patriot fan, Jack Palmer, emphasized, “Brady is clearly the best football player this world has ever seen and people dislike him due to how good of a player he is.”  Most people at WHS either hate Brady or love him- there’s no inbetween.

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