The Underdogs vs. The Regulars: Super Bowl LII Highlights

February 4, 2018 Entertainment, National News
Banner of 2018 Super Bowl 52

Super Bowl LII took place on Sunday, February 4, 2018, at the U.S. Bank Statidum in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The contenders for the night were the underdogs, the Philadelphia Eagles, versus the regulars, the New England Patriots.

For both teams, this is a chance to make history. The Philadelphia Eagles are one of 13 NFL teams that have never won the Super Bowl. The Eagles have made it to the Super Bowl twice, losing both appearances. The Eagles’ debut in the championship game came against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV. The second appearance was at Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004 against the New England Patriots.

At 40 years old, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will become the oldest quarterback to start in a Super Bowl. However, Brady seeks to further cement his place in history by potentially becoming the first player in NFL history to win six Super Bowl championships, breaking a tie with former NFL player Charles Haley.

The national anthem was performed by singer Pink after overcoming the flu just a few days ago. Despite her recent illness, Pink nailed the performance.

The NFL saluted 15 Medal of Honor recipients during the coin toss. World War II veteran Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams, who received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima, headed the coin toss. The Patriots won the coin toss and defer.

The game begins.

First Quarter

  • The Eagles are first to score after Jake Elliott’s 25-yard field goal is good.
  • New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski matches the Eagles’ kicker and scores, bringing the game 3 to 3.
  • Eagles make a touchdown but miss the extra point.

End of First Quarter: Eagles 9, Patriots 3

 

Second Quarter

  • A bad snap from Joe Cardona threw off New England’s Gostkowski’s timing, and the 26-yard field goal attempt is a miss.
  • Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks takes a massive hit from Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins after a 23-yard gain. Cooks was later ruled out for the game.

  • Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady tried his hand at being a receiver and doesn’t quite make the catch. Eagles’ quarterback Nick Foles, on the other hand, makes a touchdown catch.

End of Second Quarter: Eagles 22, Patriots 12

 

Halftime Show

The halftime show featured Justin Timberlake and a number of his hit songs including, “Cry me a River,” “Sexy Back,” and “Suit & Tie.” During the performance, a tribute the late Minneapolis native and iconic singer Prince was held. A video of Prince performing, “I Would Die 4 U,” played on a large projection sheet before Timberlake closed the show with, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”

While the halftime show was not short of energy or enthusiasm, there was some controversy over NFL’s choice of the featured performer. The last time Timberlake performed during the halftime show was Super Bowl XXXVIII, during which a wardrobe malfunction accidentally exposed one of Janet Jackson’s breasts on national television. Some blame Timberlake for Jackson’s fall and damaged career.

 

Third Quarter

  • Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski catches four balls for 68 yards on the opening drive of the second half, finishing the eight-play, 75-yard march off with a 5-yard touchdown grab.
  • Eagles’ running back LeGarrette Blount has no issues plowing through his former teammates, carrying seven times for a game-high 77 rushing yards.

End of Third Quarter: Eagles 29, Patriots 26

 

Fourth Quarter

  • A few seconds before the final two-minute warning, the first sack and turnover of the game is on Tom Brady. Brady fumbles the ball, and the Eagles gain possession.
  • The Eagles push for a touchdown, but don’t quite make it. They opt for a field goal bringing the score to 41-33, Eagles in the lead.
  • The Patriots use every second possible to attempt a touchdown. A touchdown and a two-point conversion would bring the game to a tie and into overtime.
  • Brady makes one last throw down the field to Gronkowski, but the pass was incomplete. The Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LII.

Final Score: Eagles 41, Patriots 33

 

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Arianna is College Media Network's Weekend Editor and a student at Penn State University. She has written for various websites, including Thought Catalog and The Odyssey Online. Arianna also runs her own blog called Yoga With Mimosas in which she combines her passion for fitness and writing in hopes of inspiring and empowering others through her work.

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