Eagles will stand test of time as better team in Super Bowl 52

MINNEAPOLIS — Forget about Tom Brady vs. Time.

It's the Philadelphia Eagles' time.

Tight end Zach Ertz felt it when pointing to his wrist after scoring what proved the game-winning touchdown.
And a defense that was getting skewered finally awoke to insure the clock would strike 12 for No. 12 and, for at least one season, New England’s reign as NFL kingpins.

"We beat a dynastic team," Eagles defensive end Chris Long said Sunday night in the aftermath of Philadelphia's 41-33 victory in Super Bowl 52. “It takes a lot to dethrone them. It’s amazing they were able to come two minutes from repeating. You know how hard that is?
"But we were — and I hate to use these words — a team of destiny."

Six weeks ago, the Eagles appeared destined to have the sands run out on their Super Bowl journey. A season-ending knee injury to quarterback Carson Wentz was supposed to torpedo Philadelphia’s championship hopes.
The other main reasons Philadelphia finished with the NFC's best record — a strong defense, top-flight rushing game and creative play-calling — were overshadowed by having to use journeyman backup Nick Foles under center.

The same Foles who would cap a brilliant postseason by out-dueling Tom Brady to win Super Bowl 52 MVP honors.
Foles passed for 373 yards and three scores while also becoming the first quarterback to catch a Super Bowl touchdown pass on a gimmick play fittingly called “Philly Special.”

"I'm so happy for Nick,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “A lot of people, a lot like this football team, counted him out and didn't think he could get it done."
The lack of respect Eagles players felt didn't end there.

"The resiliency of this team is incredible," said Jason Kelce, the burly bearded Eagles center who broke down in tears during his postgame interview. "We’ve all talked about it. A lot of you guys picked us to finish dead last in the NFC East.

"As the season went along, nobody gave us any inclination we were the best team in the NFL, especially after injuries started, which is understandable. But the fact we were able to overcome everything, to keep moving forward, I can’t help but be a little bit emotional.”

"Emotional intelligence” — or lack thereof — is what Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie alluded to when firing head coach Chip Kelly late in the 2015 season. Pederson provided it with the way he kept the Eagles together after Wentz went down and Foles looked shaky in Philadelphia’s final two regular-season games.

Rather than panic, the Eagles learned to use snubs, like Atlanta being the first No. 6 seed ever favored over a No. 1 seed in the playoffs, to hone their focus and bond closer as teammates. The disrespect continued when Minnesota and New England were both installed as favorites for the next two games.

"The underdog (role) drew us closer together as a team," a defiant Ertz said.
The novelty latex dog masks worn by Long and right tackle Lane Johnson after the win over the Falcons became symbolic for the team. So did the “Rocky” theme showcased during an in-game video aired Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The big difference?
Rocky Balboa lost in his first big fight against Apollo Creed. These Eagles won and did so against a quarterback who is Creed, Clubber Lang and Ivan Drago all rolled into one.

Just like in comeback wins over Atlanta and Seattle in New England's two previous Super Bowls, Brady again seemed destined to lead the Patriots to victory. The recent subject of a Facebook series extolling his greatness at age 40, Brady was over the 400-yard mark in passing and both turnover- and sack-free when New England took possession of the football down 38-33 with 2:21 remaining.
This time, the Eagles flipped the script.

Defensive end Brandon Graham worked his way around Patriots right guard Shaq Mason to strip Brady of the football. Derek Barnett recovered, leading to a Jake Elliott field goal that extended Philadelphia’s lead to eight points.
"We came through," Long said of his pass-rushing brethren.

Brady wasn't done quite yet, getting the Patriots into position for a Hail Mary throw on the game’s final play. Only when the desperation pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski fell incomplete could the Eagles exhale as silver-and-green confetti flew into the sky.
"We just stuck together,” Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. "Nobody panicked. We knew what we had to do. We knew it was going to come down to a couple of plays."

One of them came late in the second quarter that provided a huge lift. Rather than playing it safe and kicking a field goal on fourth-and-goal from New England’s 1-yard line, Pederson not only went for it, but he did so with a trick play.
Foles moved out of the shotgun position toward the right side of the offensive line while running back Corey Clement took the snap from center. Clement ran left and pitched the football to Burton, who was running the other way. Burton, who played quarterback for spells at the University of Florida, then found Foles in the end zone.

Asked for his reaction when hearing the play call, Burton said, “Coach has some guts, huh? He’s got some big ones. It shows you the confidence he has in the team.”
A team that in two years has undergone a radical transformation under Howie Roseman, who capitalized on a second chance to rebuild after Kelly’s firing.

A “complete team,” Kelce said, because “you don’t look at the roster and say, ‘There’s a lot of unbelievable starters.'"
A team that won the Eagles’ first Super Bowl title while keeping the Patriots from adding a sixth Lombardi Trophy in the Brady/Bill Belichick era.
"The better team won today,” Long said proudly.
That accomplishment — just like the 2017 Eagles themselves — will stand the test of time