***Official Super Bowl LII Thread*** - Eagles vs Patriots (1 Viewer)

[Bossman]

It may be sacrilege to find fault with TB12, but IMO he did a better job searching for and finding the open man earlier in his career. Maybe that is a factor of trying to get the ball out quickly these days, but many times it seems like he decides before the ball is snapped who he wants to throw to and focuses on that one guy. This year in particular it seems like he would try to force a throw to Gronk or Cooks rather than survey guys underneath or out of the backfield. Not always, but sometimes. Maybe my perception is wrong, but I think over the latter part of the season he tried forcing the ball to people (and his completion percentage suffered because of it).

Several times I felt he had a guy closer to the LOS for a first down on 3rd and 2 but instead threw into triple coverage much farther down the field. I think over the latter part of the season they had three and outs or drives that stalled with very short amounts to gain. If they do that against PHI they may be in trouble, especially if the Eagles have a couple of 10 play, 80 yard, 6-8 minute scoring TD drives where the NE defense can't get a third down stop or get off the field.

I do think BB will not stand for another scoreless first quarter, so I would expect them to come out like a house of fire with a scripted, fast-paced game plan and march down the field. Traditionally, BB has opted for more of a conservative approach to the start of SB games to get a feel for the opponents. Given that NE has had to have so many late game heroics to win lately, I would guess they start stepping on the gas right from the opening whistle. It may be another game plan with Brady designed to throw 50 passes, especially with the Eagles ranking as the league's top rush defense in terms of yardage allowed.

The shouting match on the sidelines between Brady and McDaniels was because Brady missed a wide open WR down field ... McDaniels let him know about it.

Brady was focused elsewhere and tried to force one in. 

3rd down and manageable use to be almost automatic for NE. Last several games its been a crapshoot. More so early in games. 

So many drives ending on a incomplete pass on 3rd and 2. Very frustrating. They finally are able to pull cranium from rectum late in the game for whatever reason.

 

[Anarchy99]

Well as you have said, the key to beating the Patriots is to hold them under 23 and to score more than 23. So to me holding them down is upper teens/low 20's. Based on history, I think it would be very hard for the Eagles to hold the Patriots to less than 15 points. I would love to see it, but it will be very hard to do.

Clearly the more a team scores in any game increases the likelihood of a victory, and scoring against NE is imperative. Over the past 5 seasons:

NE allowing 30+ points: 6-8
NE allowing 27+ points: 9-9
NE allowing 24+ points: 16-14

Basically, teams get to a almost a coin flip for an outcome once they can score 24 points. Given that NE has played 92 games and only had 19 loses in those 5 years, by extension that means the Pats went 57-5 (.919) when only allowing 23 or fewer points (which aligns with the numbers I posted last week).

Of note, the number of times the Pats have allowed 24 points each year has mostly been trending in the right direction:

2013: 9 times
2014: 6 times
2015: 6 times
2016: 4 times
2017: 5 times

 

[modogg]

Not sure how to define "keeping the Patriots scoring down," so I will just give a snapshot. In the past 5 seasons, NE has played 13 games against Top 5 scoring defenses (which is what PHI was this year). The Patriots went 8-5 in those games and averaged 24.4 ppg and 355 yds/gm.

Looking only at TD's, they scored 3 or 4 TD's in 8 of those games. They only scored 1 TD in one of those games (DEN 2016 . . . and NE still won).

# of NE scoring drives each game with either TD's or FG's:

2 drives: 1
3 drives: 1
4 drives: 7
5 drives: 1
6 drives: 1
7 drives: 1

Looks like NE is most likely going to score points 4 times. NE was held under 20 points in 3 of the 13 games.They scored 24 or more points in 8 of those games.

Not singling you out, but when you mentioned keeping the Pats scoring down, to what level did you (or people in general) mean?

Philly has done a good job this year holding opposing teams time of possession down/number of drives as well. So basically giving less opportunities 

 

[Anarchy99]

The shouting match on the sidelines between Brady and McDaniels was because Brady missed a wide open WR down field ... McDaniels let him know about it.

Brady was focused elsewhere and tried to force one in. 

3rd down and manageable use to be almost automatic for NE. Last several games its been a crapshoot. More so early in games. 

So many drives ending on a incomplete pass on 3rd and 2. Very frustrating. They finally are able to pull cranium from rectum late in the game for whatever reason.

The numbers pretty much support this. The NE offense had a 50% or greater 3rd down conversion rate in 6 of their first 10 games (45% in those 10 games). In their last 8 games, the only game they converted at a 50% clip on 3rd downs was in the Titans playoff game (11-17). In the 7 other games since facing Oakland, the Pats have only converted 30% of their 3rd down plays. Needless to say, that is going to be something to monitor against PHI. Including the Titans game they had a 35% 3rd down conversion rate in their last 8 games.

Over those same games, the NE defense allowed teams to convert 42% of third downs in Games 1-10. But that total has dipped to 35% in Games 11-18 (although sometimes it feels a lot worse than that).

 

[Anarchy99]

Philly has done a good job this year holding opposing teams time of possession down/number of drives as well. So basically giving less opportunities 

Yes. PHI ranked #1 in TOP this year at 32:44. NE was 11th at 30:25.

 

[[icon]]

Chris Long already letting everyone know if the Eagles win he's not going to the White House.

Way to stay focused on what's important, guy.  

 

[Anarchy99]

I just posted in the Dion Lewis thread that NE has gone 32-3 (.914) in games that he has played since he game to town including 5-0 in the post season. I can't tell if he has been a key contributor in compiling that record, if he happened to be along for the ride in compiling that record, if the team happened to face mediocre teams in the games he was able to suit up for, if he happened to be healthy when other guys were healthy, etc. I suspect it is a mix of all of those. But it is certainly eye opening.

 

[JAA]

The rule is a minimum $25K fine per ball and other considerations of the commissioner. They did not lose picks for covering it up. In fact, NE gave the NFL all their video footage and self reported one of the ball guys stopping to go to the bathroom. The Wells report even mentioned the team fully complying with the investigation except for limiting access to the two ball attendants for a fourth time. 

If you recall, Goodell issued his penalties and then tried to inflate them after Brady’s arbitration hearing. But all the penalties were already handed down and they were not for failure to comply with the investigation. 

Thats not how I remember it, guess I will need to re-check.  Thanks for posting.

 

[[icon]]

Deebo is ready for Sunday: "My motivation is what you think I can't do," Harrison said. "Not what I've done."

 

[Amused to Death]

Chris Long already letting everyone know if the Eagles win he's not going to the White House.

Way to stay focused on what's important, guy.  

For context, he was asked since he didn't go last year.

PFT Commenter asked, “If you guys win the Super Bowl, are you going to the White House?”

“No, I’m not going to the White House,” Long replied. “Are you kidding me?”

 

[Cowboysfan8]

Sharp Football releases their incredibly in-depth analysis of the matchup  - Likely the most detailed X's and O's analysis you'll find on the web. 

If you're curious, he projected last year's superbowl final score within 1 point for the Patriots and 3 points for Atlanta. He also projected the Broncos upset over the 5.5 point Carolina favorite in Superbowl 50. 

 

That's alot of reading.

What's his final score?

 

[[icon]]

That's alot of reading.

What's his final score?

"I expect the Patriots to key-in on the Eagles 60% run-rate on first down over the past two weeks and run-heavy game plan in general. This will put a lot of pressure on Nick Foles to consistently move the chains. I don’t expect him to have another performance like he did against the Vikings, but I also don’t think he will play poorly.

The Patriots should have plenty of success on the other side of the ball, running for 4-5 yards consistently and using the no-huddle to perfection. Brady is a good bet to throw for close to 300 yards as the Patriots cruise to victory.

Final Score Patriots: 27 Eagles: 20

My Bets: With money continuing to pile on the Eagles and the spread shifting towards them , I will look to grab the Patriots as low as possible."

 

[Cowboysfan8]

"I expect the Patriots to key-in on the Eagles 60% run-rate on first down over the past two weeks and run-heavy game plan in general. This will put a lot of pressure on Nick Foles to consistently move the chains. I don’t expect him to have another performance like he did against the Vikings, but I also don’t think he will play poorly.

The Patriots should have plenty of success on the other side of the ball, running for 4-5 yards consistently and using the no-huddle to perfection. Brady is a good bet to throw for close to 300 yards as the Patriots cruise to victory.

Final Score Patriots: 27 Eagles: 20

My Bets: With money continuing to pile on the Eagles and the spread shifting towards them , I will look to grab the Patriots as low as possible."

Thanks

 

[need2know]

"I expect the Patriots to key-in on the Eagles 60% run-rate on first down over the past two weeks and run-heavy game plan in general. This will put a lot of pressure on Nick Foles to consistently move the chains. I don’t expect him to have another performance like he did against the Vikings, but I also don’t think he will play poorly.

The Patriots should have plenty of success on the other side of the ball, running for 4-5 yards consistently and using the no-huddle to perfection. Brady is a good bet to throw for close to 300 yards as the Patriots cruise to victory.

Final Score Patriots: 27 Eagles: 20

My Bets: With money continuing to pile on the Eagles and the spread shifting towards them , I will look to grab the Patriots as low as possible."

so how many has he gotten wrong

 

[JAA]

Thats not how I remember it, guess I will need to re-check.  Thanks for posting.

You are correct on the $25k.  Weird I remembered $250.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflategate#Sanctions_by_the_NFL_and_appeals

"On May 11, 2015, the NFL announced that Tom Brady was suspended without pay for four games of the upcoming season for his involvement, based on "substantial and credible evidence" that Brady knew Patriots employees were deflating footballs and that he failed to cooperate with investigators.[67]"

This is what I was referring to in covering it up

 

[Amused to Death]

"I expect the Patriots to key-in on the Eagles 60% run-rate on first down over the past two weeks and run-heavy game plan in general. This will put a lot of pressure on Nick Foles to consistently move the chains. I don’t expect him to have another performance like he did against the Vikings, but I also don’t think he will play poorly.

The Patriots should have plenty of success on the other side of the ball, running for 4-5 yards consistently and using the no-huddle to perfection. Brady is a good bet to throw for close to 300 yards as the Patriots cruise to victory.

Final Score Patriots: 27 Eagles: 20

My Bets: With money continuing to pile on the Eagles and the spread shifting towards them , I will look to grab the Patriots as low as possible."

so how many has he gotten wrong

I wondered this too, how many years has he been doing this?

 

[need2know]

I wondered this too, how many years has he been doing this?

i mean i remember the times i called the winning team too.  whoopdee freaking doo

 

[[icon]]

so how many has he gotten wrong

0 by my count. 

 

[Amused to Death]

I wondered this too, how many years has he been doing this?

i mean i remember the times i called the winning team too.  whoopdee freaking doo

Well his site's been active since '05 '06.

 

[JAA]

Scared? Of?  

Let me paint a picture for you. 

Imagine you’re in vegas, and against all odds you win a huge sum. Then you keep winning... over and over....until you’re at the point vegas has to raise the limits because nobody has ever won this much this fast before. Then imagine you’re on the cusp of winning yet AGAIN. Even if you lose, you’re still walking away with the greatest hot streak in the history of vegas... but if you win, you’ve got the greatest greatest hot streak in the history of vegas.  

Would “scared” be the adjective that would describe you, in that scenario? If so, I’m sorry... that’s gotta be terrible to go through life like that.  Me? I’m damn grateful to be be playing with the largest wad of fan “house money” there ever was. Tack on that we are favored to win another? Naw.... I’m not sure scared is the adjective I’d use, here  

Regarding my money... I don’t know why any NE fan would take 60 cents on the dollar as a favorite, when history has shown we can get it in as 2:1 or 3:1 dogs in the 2nd half. I generally put a nice pre-game chunk on the underdog (Philly in this case) on the ML- and with the points (as I did with SEA, and ATL, and as I have with PHI).

Then I get drunk at my annual SB party, and eventually jump on absurd NE ML in the 2nd half, essentially freerolling a nice Pats win. 

So... currently my money is on PHI, with plans to take advantage of a better live line in-game, if I’m feeling it.    

Either way... on Monday morning it’ll either have been a really, really amazing last 17 years or a really, really, really amazing last 17 years    House money is cool like that. 

This post rivals the greatest in FBG history.  Quoted for posterity.

GAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRYY!!

 

[fred_1_15301]

0 by my count. 

Pretty impressive if he's been doing this writeup every year since 2005 and has a perfect record.

 

[[icon]]

i mean i remember the times i called the winning team too.  whoopdee freaking doo

damn you guys are sensitive. Shocked the skepticism suddenly surfaced after it was found out he liked New England  

Guy's SB predictions on his website go back 3 years to my knowledge... calling this SB and 2 before it.
• This year He likes NE over Philly 27-20
• Last year he just about nailed the exact NE/ATL score
• The year before that he accurately picked a Denver upset over 5.5pt favorite Carolina

 nobody is saying he's Marty McFly... he posted some in-depth analsys, has been accurate in past predictions and like the Patriots this year. Feel free to disagree... it's America  
 

 

[Amused to Death]

damn you guys are sensitive. Shocked the skepticism suddenly surfaced after it was found out he liked New England  

Guy's website goes back 3 years... calling this SB and 2 before it.
• This year He likes NE over Philly 27-20
• Last year he just about nailed the exact NE/ATL score
• The year before that he accurately picked a Denver upset over 5.5pt favorite Carolina

 nobody is saying he's Marty McFly... he posted some in-depth analsys, has been accurate in past predictions and like the Patriots this year. Feel free to disagree... it's America  
 

His blog says 2013 was his 8th season. 

His archives go back to '11.

 

[[icon]]

His blog says 2013 was his 8th season. 

Gotcha. I know he's been writing for years, but has he analyzed/projected the SB every year? I honestly don't know. If someone can find projections prior to SB 50, I'd love to see them.  

 

[Amused to Death]

Gotcha. I know he's been writing for years, but has he analyzed/projected the SB every year? I honestly don't know. If someone can find projections prior to SB 50, I'd love to see them.  

Link to his 2013 SB analysis.

 

[Anarchy99]

You are correct on the $25k.  Weird I remembered $250.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflategate#Sanctions_by_the_NFL_and_appeals

"On May 11, 2015, the NFL announced that Tom Brady was suspended without pay for four games of the upcoming season for his involvement, based on "substantial and credible evidence" that Brady knew Patriots employees were deflating footballs and that he failed to cooperate with investigators.[67]"

This is what I was referring to in covering it up

Don’t really feel like drudging through this whole ordeal again. From what I remember, the Wells report specially mentioned in the first few pages that the coaches, the team, and the organization complied with the investigation. Wells later said he didn’t need Brady’s phone. Eventually Brady was able to provide records of what texts were on his phone.

RG later made the phone a big issue after the fact and also reaffirmed his original decision with more menacing language. IIRC, he trumped up the allegations to say Brady willingly and knowingly conspired and impeded the investigation and destroyed his phone. But I don’t thing that was in the original decision.

The league later admitted in court it had no direct evidence on Brady deflating footballs against the Colts. 

As things ended up, the court case focused on whether RG had the right to suspend Brady and much less on what Brady did or didn’t do. 

I can’t tell if what Wikipedia lists is 100% accurate or not (but it certainly could be close).  Just going off memory. If I am off in that people can let me know. Like I said, that’s just me going off of memory. 

 

[JAA]

Don’t really feel like drudging through this whole ordeal again. From what I remember, the Wells report specially mentioned in the first few pages that the coaches, the team, and the organization complied with the investigation. Wells later said he didn’t need Brady’s phone. Eventually Brady was able to provide records of what texts were on his phone.

RG later made the phone a big issue after the fact and also reaffirmed his original decision with more menacing language. IIRC, he trumped up the allegations to say Brady willingly and knowingly conspired and impeded the investigation and destroyed his phone. But I don’t thing that was in the original decision.

The league later admitted in court it had no direct evidence on Brady deflating footballs against the Colts. 

As things ended up, the court case focused on whether RG had the right to suspend Brady and much less on what Brady did or didn’t do. 

I can’t tell if what Wikipedia lists is 100% accurate or not (but it certainly could be close).  Just going off memory. If I am off in that people can let me know. Like I said, that’s just me going off of memory. 

Dont need to rehash it either.  If you look at citation 67, you can see the article.  Basically, Troy Vincent wrote a letter to Brady saying as much.

 

[[icon]]

Link to his 2013 SB analysis.

Technically, that's a link to his link to his 2013 SB Analysis. 

 

[[icon]]

for Gronk's concussion protocol status update 

 

[Anarchy99]

Just heard an unexpectedly well informed, well presented, and well thought out interview with long-time Patriots basher Bart Scott on the radio.

He said that one of the biggest reasons NE and TB have had enduring success is that so many players and coaches around the league have come and gone that what worked for the Pats in the beginning can now work for them again. He mentioned that NE has some plays and tricks that they have continued to run from the early days, but inexperienced QBs, defenses, and coaches haven't come up against them first hand. So the defensive schemes may be the same, but they are new to the current crop of coaches, coordinators, and QB's . . . which goes a long way in explaining why the Pats are whatever and zero in the post season against teams they didn't face in the regular season.

Scott also mentioned that Brady can go through his reads pre-snap and post-snap so quickly and efficiently that many times defenses don't have the experience and organization to properly adjust. Scott mentioned that at this stage in  his career other teams will not be able to throw something at Brady that he hasn't seen before. He will analyze the formation, move puzzle pieces around, and have a counter measure for pretty much everything.

On the flip side, the newer coaches and newer QBs will not be able to execute and adjust anywhere near as fast as Brady. They have to learn on the fly and there will be plays that they have no answer for what the defense is doing.

In Scott's mind, even he is taking NE. He said if the Pats were going to lose, it would be to a team they have faced many teams or against a seasoned QB that has the experience to be a coach on the fiels. So in Scott's mind, the teams the Pats may have lost to would have been the Steelers or Saints.

Scott felt that the unfamiliarity factor, NE's prowess in situational football, and the Patriots' ability to perform under pressure will make the difference and allow them to win their 6th title.

 

[Insein]

Tldr yea you scurred

 

[[icon]]

Just heard an unexpectedly well informed, well presented, and well thought out interview with long-time Patriots basher Bart Scott on the radio.

He said that one of the biggest reasons NE and TB have had enduring success is that so many players and coaches around the league have come and gone that what worked for the Pats in the beginning can now work for them again. He mentioned that NE has some plays and tricks that they have continued to run from the early days, but inexperienced QBs, defenses, and coaches haven't come up against them first hand. So the defensive schemes may be the same, but they are new to the current crop of coaches, coordinators, and QB's . . . which goes a long way in explaining why the Pats are whatever and zero in the post season against teams they didn't face in the regular season.

Scott also mentioned that Brady can go through his reads pre-snap and post-snap so quickly and efficiently that many times defenses don't have the experience and organization to properly adjust. Scott mentioned that at this stage in  his career other teams will not be able to throw something at Brady that he hasn't seen before. He will analyze the formation, move puzzle pieces around, and have a counter measure for pretty much everything.

On the flip side, the newer coaches and newer QBs will not be able to execute and adjust anywhere near as fast as Brady. They have to learn on the fly and there will be plays that they have no answer for what the defense is doing.

In Scott's mind, even he is taking NE. He said if the Pats were going to lose, it would be to a team they have faced many teams or against a seasoned QB that has the experience to be a coach on the fiels. So in Scott's mind, the teams the Pats may have lost to would have been the Steelers or Saints.

Scott felt that the unfamiliarity factor, NE's prowess in situational football, and the Patriots' ability to perform under pressure will make the difference and allow them to win their 6th title.

Solid logic. No doubt. 

However the Eagles have dog masks... which trump logic. So Eagles by 4, IMO. 

 

[Boston]

Just heard an unexpectedly well informed, well presented, and well thought out interview with long-time Patriots basher Bart Scott on the radio.

He said that one of the biggest reasons NE and TB have had enduring success is that so many players and coaches around the league have come and gone that what worked for the Pats in the beginning can now work for them again. He mentioned that NE has some plays and tricks that they have continued to run from the early days, but inexperienced QBs, defenses, and coaches haven't come up against them first hand. So the defensive schemes may be the same, but they are new to the current crop of coaches, coordinators, and QB's . . . which goes a long way in explaining why the Pats are whatever and zero in the post season against teams they didn't face in the regular season.

Scott also mentioned that Brady can go through his reads pre-snap and post-snap so quickly and efficiently that many times defenses don't have the experience and organization to properly adjust. Scott mentioned that at this stage in  his career other teams will not be able to throw something at Brady that he hasn't seen before. He will analyze the formation, move puzzle pieces around, and have a counter measure for pretty much everything.

On the flip side, the newer coaches and newer QBs will not be able to execute and adjust anywhere near as fast as Brady. They have to learn on the fly and there will be plays that they have no answer for what the defense is doing.

In Scott's mind, even he is taking NE. He said if the Pats were going to lose, it would be to a team they have faced many teams or against a seasoned QB that has the experience to be a coach on the fiels. So in Scott's mind, the teams the Pats may have lost to would have been the Steelers or Saints.

Scott felt that the unfamiliarity factor, NE's prowess in situational football, and the Patriots' ability to perform under pressure will make the difference and allow them to win their 6th title.

Bart Scott picking the Pats maybe the biggest story of the week...his hatred of them runs very deep...

 

[Billy Bats]

I know Pederson Is new to the ‘game’ but he’s not coaching the defense from what I can tell. I also didn’t realize Jim Schwartz was a rookie coach. Know how the Chiefs offense can give the Pats D some fits? Guess what Doug Pederson knows? Good article.  

 

[dhockster]

I think this should be Doug Pederson's pre-game speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9mf3Bypyk8

 

[JuniorNB]

I know Pederson Is new to the ‘game’ but he’s not coaching the defense from what I can tell. I also didn’t realize Jim Schwartz was a rookie coach. Know how the Chiefs offense can give the Pats D some fits? Guess what Doug Pederson knows? Good article.  

Cherish the underdog role. We've been riding it since Wentz went down. The Eagles feed off of it. I hope Belichick and the rest of the Pats feel the same as [icon].  Should be a cakewalk for them.  

 

[Boston]

Cherish the underdog role. We've been riding it since Wentz went down. The Eagles feed off of it. I hope Belichick and the rest of the Pats feel the same as [icon].  Should be a cakewalk for them.  

The next time that BB and the Pats take an opponent for granted will be their first...

 

[[icon]]

The next time the BB and the Pats take an opponent for granted will be their first...

 Seriously. I'm goofing around in here but nowhere have I said NE is a shoe-in to win this. Vegas has them winning about 60% of the time and I'm guessing that's right.

Some of these Eagles fans are a curious bunch.... talk football and they get cranky saying to stop nerding up the thread and we should just be having fun and talking smack.... have fun / talk smack and they get butthurt/defensive. I don't think some of these guys know WHAT they want  

Either way... I figure Brady and Belichick are walking away with 8 Superbowl appearances in 17 years, with either 5 or 6 wins. I hope it's 6, but I wouldn't be ashamed of 5. This is a solid Eagles squad. I look forward to a good clean game with no injuries.  


I will ask, Can someone give me a heads up... I've not been in many Eagles game threads this year. Are there any hardcore "ref whiners" among the Eagles faithful in here? Just wanna brace for the inevitable and know who take seriously and who to write off as noise. TIA  

 

[modogg]

I know Pederson Is new to the ‘game’ but he’s not coaching the defense from what I can tell. I also didn’t realize Jim Schwartz was a rookie coach. Know how the Chiefs offense can give the Pats D some fits? Guess what Doug Pederson knows? Good article.  

yeah, some good stuff being put out there. I am guessing most in here will see this as click bait and simply a homer opinion of his team, but this is a great example of why fans in the Boston area are disliked:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/why-can’t-the-eagles-beat-the-patriots-it-starts-with-the-coach/ar-BBIu0M9?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

Not even worrying about how inaccurate the portrayal is, just laughing cause I got totally suckered into this click-bait

 

[modogg]

 Seriously. I'm goofing around in here but nowhere have I said NE is a shoe-in to win this. Vegas has them winning about 60% of the time and I'm guessing that's right.

Some of these Eagles fans are a curious bunch.... talk football and they get cranky saying to stop nerding up the thread and we should just be having fun and talking smack.... have fun / talk smack and they get butthurt/defensive. I don't think some of these guys know WHAT they want  

Either way... I figure Brady and Belichick are walking away with 8 Superbowl appearances in 17 years, with either 5 or 6 wins. I hope it's 6, but I wouldn't be ashamed of 5. This is a solid Eagles squad. I look forward to a good clean game with no injuries.  


I will ask, Can someone give me a heads up... I've not been in many Eagles game threads this year. Are there any hardcore "ref whiners" among the Eagles faithful in here? Just wanna brace for the inevitable and know who take seriously and who to write off as noise. TIA  

I think the Eagles fans are better than a lot of others with the ref excuses. There was only one game where it was prevalent, and to be honest I think most would agree it was (it was the huge disparity in the Eagles-Panthers game from this season). the stats from that ref group were a joke too.

 

[Boston]

yeah, some good stuff being put out there. I am guessing most in here will see this as click bait and simply a homer opinion of his team, but this is a great example of why fans in the Boston area are disliked:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/why-can’t-the-eagles-beat-the-patriots-it-starts-with-the-coach/ar-BBIu0M9?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

Not even worrying about how inaccurate the portrayal is, just laughing cause I got totally suckered into this click-bait

A Philly fan saying a Boston fan is disliked is like Charles Manson calling Jeffrey Dahmer crazy...if we have one thing in common it's that the rest of the country doesn't like us...

 

[Bossman]

Bart Scott picking the Pats maybe the biggest story of the week...his hatred of them runs very deep...

Bart Scott echos my sentiment while thinking about Anarchy's next post;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKnG06-oYcg

 

[[icon]]

yeah, some good stuff being put out there. I am guessing most in here will see this as click bait and simply a homer opinion of his team, but this is a great example of why fans in the Boston area are disliked:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/why-can’t-the-eagles-beat-the-patriots-it-starts-with-the-coach/ar-BBIu0M9?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

Not even worrying about how inaccurate the portrayal is, just laughing cause I got totally suckered into this click-bait

 Dude... it's Shaughnessy for christ's sake  

Cmon... I know some of these sensitive fellas in here have zero bark, but not you modogg! You're better than this! Dan is an idiot clickbait king when it comes to football. Feel free to discard him. 

 

[fred_1_15301]

 Seriously. I'm goofing around in here but nowhere have I said NE is a shoe-in to win this. Vegas has them winning about 60% of the time and I'm guessing that's right.

Some of these Eagles fans are a curious bunch.... talk football and they get cranky saying to stop nerding up the thread and we should just be having fun and talking smack.... have fun / talk smack and they get butthurt/defensive. I don't think some of these guys know WHAT they want  

Either way... I figure Brady and Belichick are walking away with 8 Superbowl appearances in 17 years, with either 5 or 6 wins. I hope it's 6, but I wouldn't be ashamed of 5. This is a solid Eagles squad. I look forward to a good clean game with no injuries.  


I will ask, Can someone give me a heads up... I've not been in many Eagles game threads this year. Are there any hardcore "ref whiners" among the Eagles faithful in here? Just wanna brace for the inevitable and know who take seriously and who to write off as noise. TIA  

I don't know if there are any specific "hardcore" ones but yes you might want to brace yourself.  In general, they're probably the most passionate fanbase on this forum so yes you're going to see ref whining.  And given the perceived preferential treatment for the Pats, they will certainly be looking for bad calls.  As will the rest of the world     

 

[modogg]

 Dude... it's Shaughnessy for christ's sake  

Cmon... I know some of these sensitive fellas in here have zero bark, but not you modogg! You're better than this! Dan is an idiot clickbait king when it comes to football 

he got me

 

[[icon]]

he got me

 all good. He's gotten me in the past... reading an article thinking "what the.... ohhhh, it's Shaughnessy." 

 

[[icon]]

I don't know if there are any specific "hardcore" ones but yes you might want to brace yourself.  In general, they're probably the most passionate fanbase on this forum so yes you're going to see ref whining.  And given the perceived preferential treatment for the Pats, they will certainly be looking for bad calls.  As will the rest of the world     

One of my good buddies is a Miami fan and is BRUTAL about this.. i mean every other play "OH ####! HOW DO YOU NOT SEE THAT?!"   

I have a referee shirt at the house (I'm hosting) that I am planning to change into if he gets going on Sunday. 

 

[fred_1_15301]

One of my good buddies is a Miami fan and is BRUTAL about this.. i mean every other play "OH ####! HOW DO YOU NOT SEE THAT?!"   

I have a referee shirt at the house (I'm hosting) that I am planning to change into if he gets going on Sunday. 

But it is the SuperBowl so very likely that most Eagles/Patriots fans on this board won't be posting on Footballguys.  The whining would likely come after the game.

 

[kyoun1e]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/if-gronk-plays-philly-is-doomed/?addata=espn:nfl:teams

Question to Philly fans: Can they matchup against NE's RBs out of the backfield?

Something tells me...health permitting...Burkhead plays a key role.

 

[[icon]]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/if-gronk-plays-philly-is-doomed/?addata=espn:nfl:teams

Question to Philly fans: Can they matchup against NE's RBs out of the backfield?

Something tells me...health permitting...Burkhead plays a key role.

Good read there... Philly is the 4th worst differential between WR vs RB/TE passes.

Interestingly Jacksonville is similar. Wonder if that had anything to do with Brady completing a mere 9 passes to Cooks/Dorsett/Hogan (our primary outside WRs), and 18 passes to Amendola (slot) and Lewis, with 4 more completions going to White and Gronk (partial game). All In addition, zero of New England's 3 TDs were traditional "outside" receivers vs Jax. 

I'd be surprised to not see a similar approach vs Philly on Sunday. 

Interesting quote:

"If Gronkowski does play, the Patriots will be in an unusual spot for a game of this magnitude. The Patriots have long been famous for their a chameleon-like offense — the team will find your biggest weakness and design a fresh game plan around exploiting it. But based on the Eagles’ defensive splits, the New England offense may not have to morph into something else this time, but instead may be able to simply play to its greatest strength."