The 2018 Super Bowl will be played at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. The Big Game will feature the AFC Champions and the NFC Champions, the New England Patriots versus the Philadelphia Eagles. The Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row, the third time in the last four years, the eighth time in the Brady-Belichick era and the tenth time overall.
Patriots fans are more than excited for their 2017 Super Bowl champions to be returning in the 2018 season, and expect nothing less than greatness. But what can we really expect for the upcoming Super Bowl?
After a slow start, the Patriots figured it out, finding their momentum. The Patriots are now sitting at an outstanding 2/1 odds, going into the Super Bowl with a 13-3 record, and no one seems to want to bet against them. With good reason, though. Few teams have been in the favorite position as consistently as the Patriots have. With the AFC East all but locked up, the Patriots seem poised to make a deep playoff run.
The last time the Philadelphia Eagles were in the Super Bowl was in 2005 and they lost a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots. In two week’s time, the franchise – if not the same players – will get its chance for revenge, but Pats Nation is more than confident that the same results will play out. The Patriots opened at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as 5.5 point favorites over the Eagles, and the game’s over/under was listed at 47.5 points. With so much confidence in the Patriots already, it’s hard to think they could ever be torn down.
The Patriots earned their way into the Super Bowl after an amazing 24-20 comeback against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tom Brady played remarkably, throwing 290 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions against the best pass defense in the NFL. Rob Gronkowski faced an early injury when colliding helmet to helmet with Barry Church, gaining a concussion. Due to this setback the Patriots are optimistic that Gronk will be cleared from the concussion protocol before the Super Bowl this Sunday. However, with constant comebacks and successful performances from the Patriots, Pats fans seem just as confident of winning.
The Patriots also have the experience over the Eagles, who are very much the underdogs going into the Super Bowl. Not to mention the Patriots biggest weapon, Tom Brady. Brady can advance the game for the Patriots easily and has more than enough experience in high stress and high performance situations.
The Patriots opened up as six-point favorites over the Eagles when the Super Bowl matchup was set on Sunday night. It was the biggest opening spread since the 2009 game, when a 9-7 Cardinals team took on a 12-4 Steelers team. However in order to take the victory away from the Eagles, the Patriots need to watch out for Philadelphia’s offensive line and the fact that the Eagles defense is focusing on shutting Tom Brady down. Brady is the heart of the offense, so making sure he can do his job is vital for the Patriots.
Although some people may think the Patriots will finally fall this year, I can assure you they will fight before giving up the 2018 Super Bowl LII title.
Caroline Perry can be contacted at cperry@kscequinox.com
