Foles on a Playoff Roll
The Eagles biggest worry has at least for two playoff games, become unfounded. Nick Foles, who had two poor performances in his regular season games, has been lights out in the playoffs. And he is a major reason why the Eagles are headed to the Super Bowl.
Foles has now been in three playoff games, which began with a loss to New Orleans in 2013. In the three games he has completed of 96 passes for 793 yards for five touchdowns and no interceptions. He has a 116.4 passer rating.
While that is a small sample, it shows that Foles has thrived while performing on the big stage. In Sunday’s 38-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, he threw for 352 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He had an off-the-charts 141.4 passer rating.
It was obvious that Foles wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment against a Vikings team that was a three-point favorite.
“Being the NFC Championship Game and my first time ever playing in it, the journey that has happened the last several years has been emotional, so you just want to settle in,” Foles said.
He received strength from his teammates.
“Looking at the guys on the sideline in pregame and being in the locker room, everyone was just locked in,” he said. “I’m going to say it again – we lean on each other and we play for each other and that’s what’s special about this team.”
Now the Eagles have to face five-time Super Bowl champion New England in Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis.
The Patriots were installed as a six-point favorite.
Yes, they have Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all-time, but the Eagles are stronger on the offensive and defensive lines and Foles is on a two-game playoff roll.
We’ll analyze the game more next week, but the Eagles were thrilled to be an underdog for the third straight playoff game.
The one difference is that New England is used to handling the Super Bowl hype, although the Eagles have some players with Super Bowl experience, including safety Malcolm Jenkins, who has emerged as one of the great leaders (and players) in the NFL.
While the Eagles won’t have the home field advantage, don’t be surprised if their fans come in mass to Minneapolis.
And speaking of the fans, Sunday’s game was the loudest this reporter has ever heard Lincoln Financial Field. The players and coach Doug Pederson remarked how loud it was and how the fans made it so difficult for the visiting teams.
Foles also lauded the fans, but it was his play that caused so much of the cheering. He is a player on a certified roll and those end of the regular season games against Oakland and Dallas seem like a long, long time ago.
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Author: Marc Narducci
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