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Super Bowl LII was the perfect combination of the predictable and the unexpected. We knew the Patriots defense might struggle, we knew that the Patriots offense would not and we could have bet that a pivotal moment would come down to vagaries of the NFL catch rule. What we didn’t know was that New England would be denied its sixth Super Bowl despite breaking the record for most yardage gained. Even more so, we didn’t know that 40-year-old future Hall of Famer and possible NFL GOAT Tom Brady would be outplayed by Nick Foles, Philadelphia’s backup quarterback turned Super Bowl MVP.
It was a categorically strange game in a lot of respects. There was one punt. Both teams missed extra points. Brady dropped a key first-down pass on a trick play. Foles caught a touchdown pass on a decisive fourth down. Ironically, the game in which there was no defense to speak of for 58 minutes was decided when Brandon Graham finally got to Brady and forced a fumble. It was the first sack of the game by either team. After padding their lead to 8 points, the Eagles could finally rejoice when a last ditch Hail Mary dropped in the end zone. The city of Philadelphia could finally celebrate. It’s been a long time coming.
Thank you for joining us. Per FiveThirtyEight live blog tradition, here are our fake headlines from tomorrow’s papers from tonight’s staff:
Kyle (for the Philly papers): Has Anyone Seen The Mayor’s Pants?
Neil (Philly): FOLES IS GOD
Geoff: Wentz: Foles Was An Amazing Short-Term Option, Right? Right?
Tony (Philly): Rocky Statue Replaced With Foles
Andrea (Philly): We’re Better Than That Other City That Is Also Near New York But Thinks It’s Great
Meena (Boston): There’s Always Last Year
Walt (Boston): Dynasty Ends As Heads Defeats Tails In Dramatic Coin Flip
Ty (Boston): “They Never Should Have Let Vinatieri Leave” by Bob Ryan
Micah (Philly): AT LAST!
Neil (Boston): Pats Robbed On Multiple Questionable Calls
Tony (Boston): Local Cat Found