Photo by Mark J. Rebillas/USA Today
Welcome to the fifty-second Super Bowl! In the winner’s corner, ten time Super Bowl contestants and five time champions with the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady! In the other corner, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles! Let’s play ball!
Super Bowl LII was a finished result even before the game. In one of the most predictably boring playoffs, the first seed from each division had made it out. To boot, there was a clear discrepancy between the two contenders: one was the New England Patriots on their way to their tenth Super Bowl, with the G.O.A.T. quarterback. The other guys, well, they were the Philadelphia Eagles, and their QB was journeyman named Nick Foles.
Yeah. Not a great look.
Everything about this game was a wash. Now, don’t get me wrong, the Eagles were a good team. They boasted a 13-3 record under new and improved coaching and quarterbacking of Doug Pederson and Carson Wentz, and had a collection of exciting young and veteran players. They were playing some of the most exciting football we’ve seen the last couple years, but when everything is new and shiny, you have to take it with a grain of salt.
Simply put, Doug Pederson wasn’t a proven NFL coach, and Wentz was still only a second year greenie. Just last year they had a pitiful 7-9 record, and even with Wentz slinging his way to a MVP candidate conversation, doubts were still high in the air. When Wentz went down late in the season with an ACL tear and journeyman QB Nick Foles (who?) stepped in, it most definitely did not help the already waning faith of Eagles fans.
So let’s look at the New England Patriots. An identical 13-3 record, but they had, uh, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Unanimously considered, in their respective roles as coach and quarterback, the greatest of all time to ever do what they did. All throughout the season and post-season, they looked like the most well-prepared and proven team ever (which they statistically are), and their record of winning the last three of the four Super Bowls they’ve been to bolstered the New England faithful.
As we neared the starting whistle, the narrative had settled. The commentators made the exact same points I just put up, Patriots Brady good, Eagles bad.
However, as soon as the whistle blew, the air had shifted, and the first half quickly unfolded into one of the most interesting Super Bowl first halves in recent history. After shaky, but passable performances from both Foles and Brady in their opening drives, both teams posted kicks to make a 3-3 tie. Proceeding were some botched possessions, but it looked like the Eagles were starting to gain some momentum.
The momentum came crashing in at the end of the first quarter when Alshon Jeffrey caught a 50-yard beauty from Foles. Now the air had really changed. Foles and the Eagles, play by play, had started to create a new narrative – the house money rules.
The Eagles represented the underdog mentality and grasped it. Even before the Super Bowl, they knew they were unfavored to win the preliminary playoff games without their MVP-caliber QB. But the Eagles embraced that. They wore dog masks to represent their status. They stayed silent, even when Patriot players tweeted things like “6th championship bound” on their recents. The Eagles knew they were playing with house money, and knew that that meant you can make some big bets.
And big bets did they make.
Following their momentum, the Eagles went on to drive down the field that ended up in a rushing touchdown from LeGarrette Blount. After a botched extra point attempt from the Eagles, the Patriots answered with a quick kick, and then a touchdown. 15-12. The Eagles were still up by three, but you could feel the tide started to turn back in the favor of the Patriots. Patriots chants became louder, and it seemed as if the perfectly oiled machine that was New England was only beginning to hum.
Two minutes on the clock till the end of the first half. Eagles ball on their 25.
After a quick 2-and-out, Eagles fans started to lose hope. Anybody would, considering the situation. The Patriots were coming off last year’s miracle comeback against the Falcons, only cementing themselves as one of the greatest teams ever. You have two minutes to go against that. The Patriots are, quite frankly, inevitable.
Third and three. This is it. Quick three and out. Punt and go next half.
House. Money. Rules.
The Eagles weren’t just about to walk out and walk home in their chance for greatness. But they just aren’t the better team. Not on paper, at least. So let’s bring something that you can’t match. Let’s bet big.
Eagles convert third and three. The two-minute offense is humming. Another third down. Quick slant, first down. The offense is revving. It’s in fifth gear now. Big 20-yard run. Another slant. 1st and goal.
Bill Belichick is stone faced. Not fritting about, he’s been here a thousand times more. He calls the defensive play.
2nd and goal.
Eagles are fine. They only need less than 10 yards. Let’s just run this in real quick.
3rd and goal.
Wipe the sweat off the brow. It’s game time, let’s show ’em what we got.
4th and goal, on the 1-yard line.
Pederson calls timeout. He’s frantically saying something to Foles. Foles says something back. Belichick calmly goes over scenarios with his defensive coordinator. As I look at the TV, I can see it unfolding. The Patriots are gonna stop this, like they’ve done the last decade and half. They’re gonna go on to win in the second half.
House. Money. Rules.
The Eagles all-in.
Fake play.
Shotgun to the running back.
Flea flicker to the tight end.
Pass to Foles.
Touchdown.
In one of the greatest bets in sports history, Foles and Pederson called the greatest fake play in history. Now dubbed the “Philly Special,” this play would swing the momentum too far. In the second half, the Eagles would go on to win by a touchdown and a kick.
Let it be known, The Eagles didn’t cave under pressure. They weren’t afraid to bet big, play their cards downright recklessly because they knew they had to.
And in the end,
House money ruled.
Tenny Kim 