“Fly, Eagles Fly” enveloped the US Bank Stadium at the end of a thrilling match that saw the protagonists post a combined modern-era-record 1,151 yards. The 67,612-strong crowd, which braved extremely chilly conditions, was stunned at and by the outcome, but there can be no question who deserved to take Super Bowl LII. The Patriots were beaten fairly and squarely, and, most importantly, in their own game, with the sight of newly minted Most Valuable Player Tom Brady sitting in the ground in abject surrender when he battlesmoke cleared.
All things considered, it was, perhaps, only fitting that the Eagles had to overcome no small measure of adversity to wrap their arms around the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Fresh off a season in which they finished dead last in their division, they put together a campaign that had them overcoming hurdles at every turn en route to ultimate success. The injury to leading MVP candidate Carson Wentz seemed particularly Sisyphean, and yet they proved true to their Philadelphia roots by defying the odds.
Yesterday, the Eagles managed to be as relentless in their attack as in the National Football Conference Championship. They led early, and then brought back memories of the Falcons’ monumental collapse last year with a so-so third quarter. As things turned out, they had more than enough in their tank to prevail. Even when the Patriots mounted the expected comeback and grabbed the lead with nine minutes and change in the fourth, they hung tough and underscored their mettle; they were especially steely during a subsequent 75-yard touchdown, as well as through two defensive stands, to seal the victory.
Certainly, the Patriots were up to the challenge; Brady was his typical outstanding self, putting up an unprecedented 505 yards off a 115.4 rating highlighted by three touchdowns and zero interceptions. On the whole, though, the Eagles were simply better; erstwhile backup Nick Foles, for instance, rose to the moment, belying his journeyman roots to earn MVP honors. Indeed, they deserved to claim Super Bowl LII. They believed in themselves; now, everybody else believes in them.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.
