Top 10 Best Plays from Super Bowl LII
Nick Foles came to head coach Doug Pederson and said, "You want Philly Philly?"
Doug Pederson answered, saying, "Yeah, let's do it."
Al Michaels (play-by-play announcer for NBC) said, "I would feel better here taking the three points. I think it's a risk, and if you make it, it's great, but if you don't make it, it's a big momentum swing."
Nick Foles jogged into the huddle and called the play, which was "Philly Special." He clapped the huddle over, fidgeted with his mouth guard, and waited for his players to be set.
"Here we go, here we go," Nick Foles said as he waved his Eagles feathers. He called out to his players and then said "Hike" to begin the play. It was 4th and goal with 0:38 remaining in the first half.
It was a direct snap to Corey Clement, who then reversed it to Trey Burton. Nick Foles went into the end zone wide open, Trey passed it, and Nick Foles caught it. The Eagles took a 22-12 lead, gaining the momentum for their Super Bowl victory.
That play was also arguably the greatest trick play in NFL history.
They wouldn't have gained the momentum for this play if the Philly Special hadn't worked. But it did, and they were more hyped and determined for a Super Bowl victory. That's why they were able to drive their team to the 22-yard line, down 32-33 with 2:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.
With the play clock winding down, Nick Foles finally said "Hike," and the play began on 3rd-and-seven.
Zach Ertz ran straight, then looked to the QB. He twisted and turned, sliding his feet and diving into the end zone. He fumbled the ball but caught it again.
But was it a touchdown? Was he a runner? He was in the end zone, but did he gain possession of the ball before he dived?
Referee Gene Steratore and Field Judge Tom Hill had been involved with two of the most controversial catches in NFL history that were ruled not a catch.
Hill was on the crew that overturned the Jesse James touchdown in Week 15 of the 2017 NFL season, which would have given the Steelers home-field advantage in the playoffs. Steratore and Hill were both on the crew that overturned Dez Bryant's 4th down catch in the 2014 NFC Divisional Round. Would they overturn the touchdown and make the most controversial call in NFL history?
The call on the field is... IT STANDS! THE EAGLES TAKE A 38-33 LEAD!
After Zach Ertz's touchdown, they still had to keep Tom Brady out of the end zone.
The Eagles kicked off, and Tom looked ready. On his first pass, he threw to Rob Gronkowski for an eight-yard gain.
That's when they decided not to let the Patriots come back and made a big defensive play.
Tom Brady hiked the ball, and the defense was coming. When the defense was ready for the sack, Tom Brady tried to throw it, but Brandon Graham didn't let that ball go anywhere. The ball fumbled to the ground, and Mychal Kendricks fell on top of it. The Eagles crowd went crazy as players did, as it looked like the Eagles were Super Bowl Champions.
After a field goal by Jake Elliott, the Patriots got the ball back. There's no way they can come back now, right? Well, they were very close.
Tom Brady threw the ball around 70 yards. But the Eagles jumped for it. It bounced to an Eagle, and he dropped it. But whatever! The Eagles won the Super Bowl 41-33 as time expired!
It was 2nd-and-goal. The Patriots were ready to do another ten-point comeback.
Tom Brady hiked. He immediately saw Rob Gronkowski, who caught it, and the Patriots took a 33-32 lead.
Nick Foles called out "180 set, hike." It was 1st-and-10 with 2:41 remaining in the first quarter.
Nick Foles faked a handoff to LeGarrette Blount, then launched a pass to Alshon Jeffery, who was 1-on-1 against Eric Rowe. Alshon Jeffery jumped in the air while Eric tried to defend the pass. Alshon won the battle. The Eagles went up 9-3.
It was 4th-and-one. The game could be over if the Eagles can't get a first down.
Nick Foles hiked. He immediately found Zach Ertz, who jumped up in the air and held the ball just enough for the first down.
Three plays later, Zach Ertz got the touchdown of his life to give the Eagles the lead with two minutes remaining in the game.
It was 1st-and-10 with 5:14 remaining in the second quarter. The Eagles were winning 15-6. The Patriots needed a big play.
Alshon Jeffrey was looking for another big play. This time he was guarded by Stephon Gilmore, who is a pretty good defender.
Nick Foles called "180, set hike," like he did with Alshon Jeffrey's touchdown earlier.
Nick Foles threw deep to the right side, and it looked like Alshon had it. But after it juggled once, Alshon desperately tried to catch it with his left hand. All he did was bobble it up in the air, allowing Duron Harmon to intercept it.
It was 1st-and-10. Tom Brady hiked. He saw Kevin Hogan immediately, and Kevin Hogan ran into the end zone to cut the Eagles lead to 29-26.
It was 1st-and-10. Nick Foles handed off to LeGarrette Blount. Blount ran to the left, found an open lane, and ran into the end zone to put the lead at 15-3.