The Patriots have a glaring weakness. Can Nick Foles and the Eagles exploit it ?
Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback  Nick Foles  completed 26 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ win. (David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
The New England Patriots opened as the favorites in their upcoming Super Bowl matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles  but that doesn’t mean it will be easy for Coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady to earn their sixth championship ring together. In fact  it could become very difficult if Eagles quarterback Nick Foles can exploit a glaring weakness in this year’s Patriots team: a poor pass defense that is one of the worst of any Super Bowl team coached by Belichick in New England.
Perhaps this wouldn’t be as concerning if quarterback  Nick Foles  hadn’t just dismantled the Minnesota Vikings’ defense in the NFC championship game. The Vikings entered that game allowing a passer rating of 74.0 yet  Foles  was able to turn in a career performance  completing 26 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ win (141.4 passer rating). Per  Elias  Foles  was also the first quarterback in NFL history with completions for more than 40 yards to three different receivers in one postseason game.
Most impressive was how  Foles  handled the Vikings’ pass rush  which was widely considered among the best in the NFL.  Foles  completed 7 of 10 attempts under pressure for 139 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday  producing a sparkling 152.1 passer rating out of a possible 158.3. That’s a remarkable turnaround considering  Foles  had a 23.8 passer rating under pressure during the regular season. Yes  that is as bad as it sounds: an incomplete pass produces a passer rating of 39.6.
 Nick Foles  in 2017 Regular season vs. Vikings in NFC championship game No pressure 107.8 119.7 Plays under pressure 23.8 152.1
 Foles  also extended the defense with deep throws  completing 4 of 6 passes traveling at least 20 yards in the air for 172 yards and two touchdowns.  He  was 2 for 15 on those throws leading up to the big win on Sunday  compiling 52 yards and no touchdowns while also throwing an interception.
So it all comes down to how good the Patriots defense is on Super Bowl Sunday. In wins this season  including the playoffs  the Patriots allow a passer rating of 83.2. That jumps to 130.6 in losses  lower than the passer rating  Foles  turned in the NFC championship game (141.1).
One more big game from  him  and we could be looking at a historic upset.
Nick Foles has come full circle and the Eagles are headed for the Super Bowl
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback  [TGT]completed 26 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ win. (David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
The New England Patriots opened as the favorites in their upcoming Super Bowl matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles  but that doesn’t mean it will be easy for Coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady to earn their sixth championship ring together. In fact  it could become very difficult if Eagles quarterback [TGT] can exploit a glaring weakness in this year’s Patriots team: a poor pass defense that is one of the worst of any Super Bowl team coached by Belichick in New England.
Perhaps this wouldn’t be as concerning if quarterback  [TGT]hadn’t just dismantled the Minnesota Vikings’ defense in the NFC championship game. The Vikings entered that game allowing a passer rating of 74.0 yet  Foles  was able to turn in a career performance  completing 26 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ win (141.4 passer rating). Per  Elias  Foles  was also the first quarterback in NFL history with completions for more than 40 yards to three different receivers in one postseason game.
Most impressive was how  Foles  handled the Vikings’ pass rush  which was widely considered among the best in the NFL.  Foles  completed 7 of 10 attempts under pressure for 139 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday  producing a sparkling 152.1 passer rating out of a possible 158.3. That’s a remarkable turnaround considering  Foles  had a 23.8 passer rating under pressure during the regular season. Yes  that is as bad as it sounds: an incomplete pass produces a passer rating of 39.6.
 Nick Foles  in 2017 Regular season vs. Vikings in NFC championship game No pressure 107.8 119.7 Plays under pressure 23.8 152.1
 Foles  also extended the defense with deep throws  completing 4 of 6 passes traveling at least 20 yards in the air for 172 yards and two touchdowns.  He  was 2 for 15 on those throws leading up to the big win on Sunday  compiling 52 yards and no touchdowns while also throwing an interception.
So it all comes down to how good the Patriots defense is on Super Bowl Sunday. In wins this season  including the playoffs  the Patriots allow a passer rating of 83.2. That jumps to 130.6 in losses  lower than the passer rating  Foles  turned in the NFC championship game (141.1).
One more big game from  him  and we could be looking at a historic upset.
Nick Foles has come full circle and the Eagles are headed for the Super Bowl