Hey Philly, maybe it鈥檚 time to forget Carson Wentz. Nick Foles might be good enough to win the Eagles their first Super Bowl.
Foles was on fire Sunday night against the stingiest scoring defence in the NFL. Philly made big play after big play on both sides of the ball in a stunning 38-7 rout of the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC championship.
What a night!
鈥� Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles)
Next up after their most-lopsided playoff victory: the Eagles鈥� first Super Bowl appearance since 2005, against the team that beat them then, AFC champion New England.
Foles replaced the injured Wentz in Game 13 and finished off a rise from last place to first in the NFC East. There were plenty of doubters entering the playoffs, but the former starter in Philadelphia (15-3) under another regime has been brilliant.
His best work might have come against Minnesota (14-4) and its vaunted defence that was torn apart in every manner. Foles threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns, showing poise, escapability and moxie in going 26 for 33.
In doing so 鈥� helped greatly by the Eagles鈥� domination on defence and a spectacular weaving 50-yard interception return TD by Patrick Robinson 鈥� Foles ruined the Vikings鈥� hopes of being the first team to play in a Super Bowl in its own stadium
Instead, the Eagles will seek their first Super Bowl crown in Minnesota on Feb. 4; their last championship came in 1960.
OVER AT HALFTIME
Minnesota made it look easy at the outset, driving 75 yards on nine plays, each of which gained yardage. The payoff was a 25-yard throw from Case Keenum to Kyle Rudolph well behind linebacker Najee Goode as Philadelphia鈥檚 defence looked confused on the play.
That didn鈥檛 happen again for Philly.
Defensive end Chris Long had a huge hand in Robinson鈥檚 50-yard interception return. Long burst in from the left side and got his arm on Keenum to disrupt the throw for Adam Thielen. The ball went directly to Robinson, who sped down the left side, then made a sharp cut to the right and got a superb block from Ronald Darby to reach the end zone.
Inspired, Philly鈥檚 D forced a three-and-out, the Foles led the Eagles on a 12-play, 75-yard masterpiece of a drive. LeGarrette Blount showed all his power and escapability on an 11-yard surge up the middle for a 14-7 lead.
The are headed to the Super Bowl, and we couldn't have done it without the best fans in the NFL.
鈥� Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles)
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Turnovers, something Minnesota rarely committed with an NFC-low 14 during the season, hurt again and not only ended a solid drive, but set up more Philly points. On third down from the Eagles 15, Keenum was blindsided by rookie Derek Barnett, and the ball bounced directly to Long.
It was only the second strip-sack the Vikings have been victimized by all season.
A blown coverage 鈥� another rarity for Minnesota 鈥� on third-and-10 allowed Alshon Jeffery to get wide open for a 53-yard TD, and Philadelphia tacked on Elliott鈥檚 38-yard field goal to make it 24-3 at halftime.
Fifty seconds into the final quarter, with the score 38-7, Eagles players on the sideline and waiting to kick off on the field were dancing up a storm and fans were chanting 鈥淲e want Brady.鈥�
They get Tom Brady and company in two weeks.
(Barry Wilner, The Associated Press)
