Philadelphia does have two former Patriots on their team, in the form of running back LeGarrette Blount and defensive end Chris Long. Both guys won the big game with the Patriots a season ago, so they know what this feeling is like. They have been an underdog team all postseason long, which is something the city feels it can handle, they are known for that. Once Carson Wentz went down with the injury and they had to go to Nick Foles, many wondered how well the Eagles were going to perform. Foles has played above and beyond what anybody has expected of him so far in the playoffs. Look at what he did in the NFC Championship game, throwing for three touchdowns. Foles seems like he's ready to go. Its not just the offense that is rolling, head coach Doug Petterson has his defense ready to go as well. Fletcher Cox has been playing lights out so far in the playoffs and has the rest of his mates playing at his level. They were able to shut down Atlanta and then do the same thing in the blowout win over Minnesota two weeks ago. Philadelphia's defense is playing on a level that you need to be playing at in a situation like this.
Then you have the Patriots, who are the defending Super Bowl Champions, who are looking to become the first team to win consecutive Super Bowls since they did it in 2004 and 2005. Tom Brady is playing at a level you might come to expect of a guy of his caliber. He's playing great football at the right time of the year. Tight End Rob Gronkowski was just cleared to play Sunday, so he will be in the lineup, which will pose another interesting matchup for that Eagles secondary. We saw last week that even without Gronk in the lineup, the Patriots offensive coordinators were able to make adjustments and overcome that talent Jaguars defense. The defense in New England isn't quite at the exact same level as that of the Eagles defense, it did get trounced early on against Jacksonville two weeks ago. Again Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels know how to make adjustments and they will be ready for whatever the Eagles are going to throw at them.
This game is going to be a tough one to pick. Philadelphia is riding a huge wave of momentum heading into the title game. Nick Foles and company are still out to prove that they are no joke. Had Carson Wentz been healthy, the Eagles would be given a lot more of a chance in this game. Nick Foles has done an above average job to replace him, but he is undermatched in this meeting. Brady has the ability to overcome anything at any time and can properly adjust in game. It sounds a little corney to say this but its true, the Patriots have the advantage because they've done this before and they know what their doing in this situation. Maybe the Eagles hunger and desire to prove everybody wrong and that they are no fluke could be a big key for them in this game. BUt I don't think that's going to happen here. New England's in-game awareness and ability to adapt on the fly, is unparalleled and lethal. Against this dynasty, all teams have been, are and will be underdogs. The Eagles, regardless of how they feel, are no different.
Prediction: New England Patriots 28, Philadelphia Eagles 21
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