Patriots vs Eagles
The Eagles toppled the Vikes to advance to the Super Bowl and
now face the seemingly perennial contestant, the New England Patriots.
Patriots played like the champs they are in the later part of the game
to get by the upstart Jags. This meeting, under the Minnesota dome,
should be a good one.
All season long our computer has pegged the Eagles as Super Bowl favorites.
Can they live up to their stat projections in the big game? We all know the Pats
are more than comfortable on this stage -- they own it.
The Pats bring a one-side pass-oriented game to field. All season long, they've eschewed
the running game. In the process they racked up massive yardage and did so at
a very low-risk rate. Their interception percentage ranked among league's lowest.
Oftentimes teams who lead the league in pass attempts are forced into it, constantly in the
position of playing catch up. Not so with this Pats team, they throw by
design.
The Eagles field a solid pass D, in a virtual tie for 3rd with several clubs.
They won't exhibit a Swiss-cheese coverage but their problem is that QB Brady
and his receivers don't need big holes. They will make their yards, no
doubt.
The key to this game is what the Eagles do with the ball. Their offense is
capable of racking up yards, with a strong rush and above average passing game.
QB Foles looks to have regained starters form. And they are facing
a Patriots defense that doesn't measure up to past greatness. In Super Bowl
winning years, it's been the impenetrable defense of the Pats that's
been the biggest contributor to their success.
So the Eagles have a chance. First, they have to "slow down" the Patriot
offense machine -- at least cause some potholes in the road. When they get
the ball, they've got to move it. They need TDs. The chart
below shows the New England, yards per game allowed--a brick wall by no
means:
Opp Tot Yds Gained
New England Patriots
2017 through Week 17
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