Super Bowl LII: Breaking down the Eagles, Patriots game plans

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 13: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles talks Nick Foles #9 on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Eagles’ Super Bowl Game Plans

Underdogs they may be, the Eagles do have a realistic chance to pull off a major upset.

While most of the focus will be on whether or not Nick Foles can stand up to the pressure of facing a defending champion in the biggest game of his live, Philadelphia’s defense will likely be the calling card for what transpires on Sunday.

Coordinator Jim Schwartz’s, which finished fourth best in both points allowed (295) and yards allowed (4,904), gave up a combined 17 points to the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings offenses in the Divisional Round and NFC Championship game, respectively.

That’s impressive. So let’s start there.

Defensive Game Plan

If the Eagles want to win Sunday, it will start up front. And this is where Philly’s front seven has a distinct advantage over the Patriots offensive line.

Check out some of the Pro Football Focus matchup grades:

PFF Eagles D /

The obvious one-on-one matchup to watch here is that between Eagles end Chris Long and Patriots right tackles LaAdrian Waddle and Cameron Fleming (78.1 grade — not pictured).

Yet the linebacker play will be key to stopping the Patriots attempting outside-zone runs with tailback Dion Lewis.

But the story, of course, will be how the Eagles stop Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski and the passing game. A combination of linebacker Mychal Kendricks and safety Malcolm Jenkins will be asked to slow down Gronkowski. The key, though, will be getting Brady off rhythm.

And for all four quarters.

Philadelphia’s interior pass rush is dominant. The question is whether or not this group can maintain pressure over the entirety of the game. Not the first three quarters the Jacksonville Jaguars managed during the AFC Championship gape two weeks ago. And certainly not the two-plus quarters the Atlanta Falcons managed in last year’s Super Bowl.

If it can’t, well, Brady will do Brady-like things.

Offensive Game Plan

Let’s face it, Foles will have to make plays. His regular-season passing numbers weren’t particularly great — completing just 56.4 percent of his attempts in seven appearances.

But Foles has been different in the postseason, especially when targeting wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Just ask CBS Sports’ Sean Wagner-McGough:

Nick Foles has a perfect 158.3 passer rating when targeting Alshon Jeffery in the playoffs. 10 targets, 9 catches, 146 yards, 2 touchdowns, according to @PFF.
— Sean Wagner-McGough (@seanjwagner) February 1, 2018

Jeffery will often face Patriots top cornerback Malcolm Butler, who is allowing opposing quarterbacks a 96.6 passer rating when targeting him, per PFF.

But the bigger threat through the air would be tight end Zach Ertz, who led Philly in both receptions (74) and receiving yards (824) during the regular season. Look for Ertz to be an X-factor in the red zone, where the Patriots rank eighth best in the NFL.

However…

The best way to stop Brady is to keep him off the field. That means ball control, clock management and no turnovers. Fortunately for the Eagles, the Patriots defense ranked 31st in the NFL against the run, allowing an average of 4.7 yards per attempt.

With the dual-back tandem of Jay Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount, head coach Doug Pederson will have to use this ground attack to take pressure of Foles and to wear down New England’s bend-but-don’t-break defense.

Unless the Pats can stop it.