As a long suffering Eagles fan since the early 70's, I suffered through decades of losing & bad coaches (Rich Kotite, Marion Campbell and Ray Rhodes), a coach who couldn't win a playoff game, Buddy Ryan, a very good coach who retired due to "burnout", Dick Vermeil and a long time coach who just couldn't win the big game, Andy Reid. The 3 year experiment with Chip Kelly was another failure. We appeared in just 2 Super Bowls: 1981 & 2005 only to lose. However, I feel very strongly that our 3rd visit will result in a win. It's different this time. We are the better team.
This is an Eagles team that is resilient. We lost an MVP level QB, lost the best LT, lost our starting MLB, lost our starting KR and still finished with the number one seed in the NFC. A lot of credit goes to HC Doug Pederson, who has been an amazing game caller all season. The Eagles will not be intimidated by the Patriots. The Eagles have 2 players were on last year's Patriots team: Chris Long and LeGarrette Blount plus 5 other players with SB rings. The Eagles have found their mojo again. Nick Foles has found his stride. The Eagles have an elite TE in Zach Ertz, a younger and faster version of Gronk. The Eagles are loaded at RB, Blount and Ajayi are a powerful one-two punch. Alshon Jeffrey is a beast of a WR, and two deep threats in Nelson Agholar and Torrey Smith will make the Pats CB heads spin.
The Eagles defensive front 7 with a 2 man deep rotation does NOT get tired. Jim Schwartz, our DC, will have an advantage over the Patriots OL. Tom Brady, will get hit a lot. The Patriots WR's except for one deep threat (Brandin Cooks) do not strike fear in the Eagles secondary. The Eagles have been underestimated throughout the entire playoffs. They relish the underdog role. Too many people are already giving the Lombardi trophy to Belichik before the game even starts. Good. The Pats and their fans will be in for a shock. Brady will not throw for 300 yds, he will not have the luxury of time in the pocket and he will NOT have an opponent choke in the 4th quarter this time.
The Eagles will win 30-21. There will be a changing of the guard. The Patriots have a 40yr old QB, with no heir apparent. Belichik is losing both his coordinators after this game. The evil empire is done.
Rocky beat Apollo Creed. Rocky beat Clubber Lang. Rocky beat Ivan Drago. The Eagles are Rocky and they will be Super Bowl champions next week. Yo, Adrian!!
Fly Eagles Fly!!!!!