History repeats itself. Sixteen years ago, a backup quarterback was stepping into the biggest game of his life with a dynasty standing in the other way. However, after sixteen years the roles are flipped for Tom Brady.
On February 3rd, 2002, he was the backup quarterback stepping in for injured franchise quarterback Drew Bledsoe. On February 4th, 2018, Nick Foles will be stepping in for the injured, Carson Wentz.
Looking at Brady’s resume, it should not be shocking that he is here. He is tied for the most Super Bowl wins by a player with five rings, and on Sunday he will make an NFL record eighth Super Bowl appearance.
However, Tom Brady is the first forty year old quarterback to bring his team to the Super Bowl. Usually by this age, quarterbacks are deteriorating and rotting away, but not Brady. As depicted by his most recent venture, Tom vs. Time, a documentary that shows Brady is taking on his toughest opponent yet: time. Even after an MVP season in 2018, Tom Brady still has doubters to disprove. By winning his sixth Super Bowl ring, he should shake any doubt that he is the greatest quarterback of all-time.
However, can he do this by facing the weakest team he’s ever played in the Super Bowl? A backup quarterback who was contemplating retirement at the helm, a head coach in his first Super Bowl appearance, and a team that is the largest Super Bowl underdog since 2009. Patriot fans and Brady lovers should be cool, calm, and collected heading into Sunday, right?
Well, this might be the least talented Patriot team to reach the Super Bowl since 2001. Their offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator already have head coaching jobs lined up for next year. With reports coming out about a rift between Brady, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, and Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft, this Patriots team might have enough cracks for the underdog Eagles to break open at the seams.
The Eagles best asset is their defensive line, which was the main reason the Giants were able to beat Brady in his two Super Bowl losses. In those two games, the Giants sacked Brady seven times, and with the Eagles ability to rotate eight players in and out of the game, they have the manpower to get to Brady.
While Foles is a backup, playing in the biggest game of his life, the offense around him as talent to pick up what he lacks. The offensive line has only allowed two sacks in the postseason, which is a league low.
The wide receiver corps is made up of Pro Bowler Zach Ertz, former Pro Bowler Alshon Jeffrey, and 2013 Super Bowl Champion Torrey Smith. Along with a multitude of backs to rely on, Foles is not on a suicide mission.
If the Eagles can cause pressure up the middle while rushing four men, and Foles can dominate the time of possession, the underdogs have a chance to pull what Brady did to the 14 point favorite St. Louis Rams in 2002.
However, due to Brady’s expertise in high pressure situations, Belichick’s master game planning abilities, and the Patriots knack to find players that ‘do their job’, if it is a game decided by one point, the Patriots will be able to step up offensively and defensively.
The opening line of five and a half points for the Patriots may be too high as the Patriots’ largest win in the Super Bowl was only six points in an overtime touchdown. With the line settling down around four now, it will be tough for bettors to choose a side.
I think the Patriots will win 24-21, with Tom Brady winning his fifth Super Bowl MVP award.
Sean Anderson
Sports Contributor