7 Reasons Why the Philadelphia Eagles Will Win Super Bowl LII

Just because the Philadelphia Eagles enter Super Bowl LII as the biggest underdogs (5 ½ points) in nine season doesn’t mean that plenty of NFL betting enthusiasts don’t think that Nick Foles can lead this team to their first NFL championship in 58 years. After taking down the first two teams that were supposed to beat them in the postseason (Atlanta in the divisional round and then Minnesota in the NFC Championship) the Eagles now prepare to face the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis a week from Sunday. Can the Philadelphia Eagles really win this? Here are seven reasons why they will.

7 Reasons Why the Philadelphia Eagles Will Win Super Bowl LII

NFC CHAMPS!#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/ixTyxVRpcg

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 22, 2018

1. The lack of pressure

A lot of people think that the Eagles have the pressure of a city’s expectations stacked on their shoulders, but according to head coach Doug Pederson, the team has gotten no respect since starting quarterback Carson Wentz went down with that torn ACL. Since then, the team’s been in underdog mode. If they can ride a backup quarterback and a young roster to the Super Bowl, what else can they accomplish? And if they lose, it’s not like they were expected to win anyway. That makes for a dangerous team.

2. What About Gronk?

The last time we saw Rob Gronkowski on a football field, he was wobbling his way to the sideline after Jacksonville safety Barry Church delivered a helmet-to-helmet blow that earned New England 15 yards down the field – but also sent Gronkowski into the concussion protocol. He’s one of the league’s toughest players – but when he goes down to injury, he stays there for a while. Will he develop post-concussion syndrome?

3. A Committee Approach to Offense

The Philadelphia Eagles scored a lot of points this season – but they didn’t have any tailbacks or receivers gain 1,000 yards. They have two solid tailbacks in LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi, both power runners who punish the opposition, and they also have Corey Clement to come in on third down and catch balls out of the backfield. Zach Ertz, Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffery all had at least 700 yards, showing considerable balance.

4. The Takeaway Factor

Tom Brady has only thrown four interceptions this season. However, the Eagles have a defense that ranked fourth in the league with 31 takeaways, and that pick-six by Patrick Robinson in the NFC Championship took the momentum right out of Minnesota’s hands. Defensive end Chris Long got a Super Bowl ring in New England before coming over to the Eagles, and there is experience all over the defense.

5. What About Foles?

In his first three postseason games, Foles has earned a quarterback rating of over 100 in each contest. He has five touchdowns combined – with no interceptions. No other quarterback in the storied history of the National Football League has accomplished that in his first three playoff starts. In the NFC Championship, four of his completions went for 35 yards or more. Remember, the Patriots let Blake Bortles throw for 293 yards and a touchdown. Why can’t Foles do something similar or even better?

6. Third Down Conversions

The Philadelphia Eagles converted 43.6% of their third downs during the regular season, ranked third in the league. In the postseason, they’ve gotten even better, going 16 for 27, or 59.3%. Against the Vikings, they converted 10 of 14 – against a team that led the NFL in smallest third-down percentage conversion permitted on defense for the season. If the Eagles can move the chains – particularly in that second half – Tom Brady can’t beat them from the bench.

7. That Terrific Defensive Line

No defensive line gave opposing quarterbacks less time in the pocket and permitted fewer yards on the ground than Philadelphia’s did this season. The Eagles accomplished this while having only one of their defensive linemen (Brandon Graham) on the field for more than 60 percent of defensive snaps. That’s a testament to the depth of the line – which  means that veterans Vinny Curry and Fletcher Cox have fresh legs for the passing downs. In the last 33 games, the Patriots have gone 20-2 when Brady is sacked twice or less in a game. When he’s sacked three times or more, they have gone 8-3. They still win a lot – but the percentages turn in the opposition’s favor.