The Top 5 Super Bowls Ever: #4 Eagles vs. Patriots (2018)

It was February 4, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Snow blanketed the city outside, while inside U.S. Bank Stadium, the atmosphere was electric. Super Bowl LII (52) was about to begin, and it felt like a historic confrontation.

On one side stood the formidable New England Patriots, the reigning champions. Their star player was quarterback Tom Brady, who was already regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. The Patriots were no strangers to this moment; they had experienced it many times before.

On the opposing side were the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that lacked widespread belief in their chances. Their primary quarterback, Carson Wentz, had suffered an injury earlier in the season. Now, the Eagles were led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, a player many thought would struggle to perform on such a grand stage.

A Game No One Expected

From the very first kickoff, this game felt different. Instead of a slow, anxious start, both teams came out aggressively. Touchdowns were scored rapidly. After one quarter, Philadelphia had a narrow lead, 9–3, but the Patriots were just getting warmed up.

In the second quarter, both teams exchanged touchdowns. Then came one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history.

Facing fourth down close to the goal line, the Eagles lined up for what appeared to be a simple play. Instead of snapping the ball to Foles, the snap went to a different player. The ball was flipped and then thrown back to Foles in the end zone, where he caught it for a touchdown!

The crowd erupted with excitement. This play became known as the Philly Special, and it allowed the Eagles to take a 22–12 advantage into halftime.

Holding On in the Final Minutes

The third quarter developed into a fierce shootout. Touchdowns were scored rapidly, and defenses found it challenging to stop their opponents. By the conclusion of the third quarter, the Eagles still held a slim lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Patriots mounted a strong comeback. Brady connected on touchdown passes, narrowing New England’s deficit to just five points. With slightly over two minutes remaining, the score was 38–33, and many anticipated yet another Patriots comeback.

However, this time, the Eagles executed the most crucial play of the game. They forced a fumble, recovered the ball, and kicked a field goal to extend the lead to 41–33. Brady had one last opportunity, but his final pass fell incomplete as time expired.

The Eagles had achieved the impossible. Nick Foles was named Super Bowl MVP after passing for over 370 yards, throwing three touchdowns, and even catching a touchdown himself—a rare feat for quarterbacks. Super Bowl LII (52) was not just thrilling; it demonstrated that an underdog who believes in themselves can alter the course of football history forever.