Page 19 - ARUBA TODAY

A19
SPORTS Monday 5 February 2018

Super Bowl LII

Continued from Page 18 hitting Rob Gronkowski for 4
yards before Stephen Gos-
“I felt calm. I mean, we tkowski’s extra point gave
have such a great group of New England its first lead,
guys, such a great coach- 33-32.
ing staff,” Foles said. “We Then Foles made them for-
felt confident coming in, get Wentz — and least for
and we just went out there now — with the gutsiest
and played football.” drive of his life, including a
The Eagles had to survive fourth-down conversion to
a video replay because Ertz at midfield.
ball pop into the air as Ertz Foles has been something
crossed the goal line. of a journeyman in his six
“If they would have over- pro seasons, but he has
turned that, I don’t know been spectacular in four
what would have hap- career playoff games. He
pened to the city of Phila- finished 28 of 43 for 373
delphia,” Ertz said. “But I’m yards and three TDs.
so glad they didn’t overturn The combined 1,151 yards
it.” were the most in any
The touchdown stood — modern NFL game, and
and so did thousands of Brady’s 505 were the most
green-clad Eagles fans in any playoff contest. The
who weren’t going to mind 40-year-old master finished Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz scores past New England Patriots free safety Devin
the frigid conditions outside 28 of 48 and picked apart McCourty during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in
US Bank Stadium once they the Eagles until the final two Minneapolis.
headed out to celebrate. series. Associated Press
But not before a rousing It was such a wild game Brady and the Patriots reception was upheld by balance. Duron Harmon
rendition of “Fly Eagles Fly” that Foles caught a touch- looked more like five-time review, and the Eagles picked it off at the 10. Mo-
reverberated throughout down pass, and Brady was champions by opening were back on top by 10. ments later, Brady was con-
the stands once the trophy on the opposite end of a the second half with a 75- Brady shrugged and, get- necting with Chris Hogan
was presented to Lurie. Lat- Danny Amendola throw yard touchdown drive. ting steadfast protection, for 42 yards.
er, fans danced along with that went off his fingertips. Gronkowski was unstoppa- went over 400 yards pass- James White broke sev-
the “Gonna Fly Now,” the Eagles coach Doug Ped- ble, grabbing four passes ing on the next TD drive. eral tackles with a brilliant
theme from “Rocky,” the erson brought home the for 69 yards, including the Chris Hogan scored from 26-yard run and it was 15-
city’s best-known fictional championship in his second 5-yard score. the 26 as he turned around 12. That gave White seven
underdog. year in charge. Belichick is Philly didn’t flinch, answer- safety Rodney McLeod. touchdowns in his past
The Patriots (15-4) seemed 5-3 in Super Bowls and his ing with a precise 75-yard When all the Eagles could three postseason games,
ready to take their sixth teams have only a plus- march and three more manage was Elliott’s including the overtime win-
championship with Brady 4 overall margin in those third-down conversions; the 42-yarder for a 32-26 lead, ner last year.
and coach Bill Belichick in games. Eagles were 10 for 16. The it seemed inevitable the But the Eagles still had 2:04
eight Super Bowls. Brady So this one was in keeping last was on Foles’ perfect Patriots would go in front, left in the half — and some
threw for a game-record with that trend: breathtak- pass to Clement over dou- then become the first re- more magic in their bag.
505 yards and three TDs, ing and even a bit bizarre. ble coverage. The rookie’s peat Super Bowl winner A short third-down throw to
since they did it in the 2004 rookie Corey Clement on
and ‘05 games. a circle route turned into a
Foles, Ertz, and — at last — 55-yard explosion down to
a revitalized defense said the Patriots 8. Philly got to
otherwise. the 1 and on fourth down,
The weird image of Brady it was Foles’ turn to morph
ambling downfield on a into a receiver.
pass pattern came three He did better than Brady.
plays after New England On fourth down, Clement
lost receiver Brandin Cooks took a direct snap, pitched
to a concussion on a vi- to tight end Trey Burton,
cious but clean hit by Mal- and the former Florida QB
colm Jenkins in the second hit an uncovered Foles.
quarter. Amendola’s pass The Eagles were up 22-12
required an over-the-shoul- at halftime, the most points
der grab and the ball fell New England has allowed
off Brady’s outstretched in the opening half of a Su-
hands. per Bowl under Belichick.
When he got back to Each team started with 67-
what he has done bet- yard drives to field goals
ter than anyone in Super — New England had never
Bowls, Brady led a 90-yard scored a first-quarter point
drive following an equally with Brady in a Super Bowl.
strange play. Alshon Jeffery Each kicker later faltered,
nearly made a spectacular with Elliott missing the extra
Philadelphia Eagles’ Nick Foles holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl 52
football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Eagles attempt near the Patriots’ point, his fifth failed PAT this
won 41-33. goal line, only to juggle the season, after Jeffery’s 34-
Associated Press ball into the air while off- yard touchdown. q