Patriots 34
Eagles 23
Here is how i see the game going and it will not be the comeback win we have gotten use to late in the 4th and a very un-Patriots like super bowl victory (except maybe the 2004 Eagles super bowl).
The Patriots will get the ball first (either they win the toss and take it or the lose the toss and the eagles defer). The Patriots will drive down the field and score a TD on their first drive. We will see a lot of hurry up and short passes. When they run it will generally not be effective though probably a few cutback runs or trap runs will work.
For passing it though the RBs and TEs will get theirs. I think the WRs will do more damage than we think and crossing routes will get open.
The OL will be the story of the day. Solder/Mason/Andrews/Thuney will all have very good days and that will stop Cox from running wild. I think Graham will be a bigger issue particular on our weak RT. This will allow the Patriots to move on offense.
The offense will play a clean no turnover game and that will have a lot to do with Brady who will be asked to throw 50 times and take care of the ball. The fumble Lewis made last week will actually serve him well this week as it will be fresh in his mind.
On defense there will be some issues. Again early on the Pats will probably go a bit to conservative and play back when they should attack. They will quickly abandon that though and attack earlier than last game. They will get run on a fair amount early but adjust and go man coverage with a single high a lot of the time.
They will be gashed early at times but will also send extra guys to get pressure on Foles and have an extra presence near the box to stop the run. The passes to the RBs will be a problem but they will be more ready for those particularly in their RPO package and they won't hurt too badly.
The Eagles will be looking for big deep plays on double moves and PIs but they won't get them much if at all. Also I think the Patriots defense will get 2 turnovers this game. One an Ajayi fumble and one a Foles pick. Both will be turned into points and be a huge difference.
I think the first quarter ends 10-7 Patriots. Half ends 17-10 Patriots. With the Patriots offense having success and the Eagles are forced to try to keep up and take risk in the 3rd. Some that pay off and some that don't (probably that Foles pick happens here which helps give the Patriots 7 over their 14 points scored this quarter but they do put 10 points on the board too).
I think the Patriots enter the 4th winning 31-20. While I won't say they take their foot off the gas they know in a 2 score game the key is not the turn the ball over and make it easy for Foles. They play a little conservative and be sure to take time off the clock and flip field position.
There is a bit of back and forth for a bit. The Patriots eventually force the Eagles to march 70-some yards and take multiple minutes off the clock and settle for a FG to make it 31-23 with about 6 minutes left making it a 1 score game.
Brady and co come back on the field. They run a slow hurry up (oxymoron i know) and manage to take it down to nearly the 2 minute warning and force the Eagles to burn a few time outs. Gost makes a FG within 50 yards in a dome (should be fairly automatic) to bring it to 34-23.
The Eagles try to drive down the field but eventually get stopped and the Patriots are able to take a knee and end the game.
Stats for Patriots
QB
Brady 33/50 66% 340 yards 3 TDs 0 Ints 0 fumbles 3 sacks
Catching
Gronk 7/9 80 yards 1 TD
Cooks 7/11 100 yards 1 TD (he gets a long one)
Amendola 6/8 70 yards
White 6/7 35 yards 1 TD
Hogan 3/6 30 yards
Burkhead 1/2 10 yards
Lewis 3/4 15 yards
3 throw-aways that really shouldn't count against anyone
Rushing
Lewis 15 runs 60 yards 1 rushing TD.
White/Burkhead 5 runs 10 yards
Brady 1 runs 2 yards (QB sneak)
Offensive stars of the game will be Brady, Cooks, Amendola, Gronk, Mason and Solder. Solder will be a rock like he has been the last 2 games and Mason will get Cox the most and really show the world how underrated he is right now.
Defense
Trey Flowers 1 sack 4-5 pressures.
Gilmore only 50 yards allowed and an Int.
Some DB recovers the Ajayi fumble I think after Van Noy knocks it out.
Defense stars of the game will be Chung, Flowers, Brown and Gilmore. Not to say other players don't have good days.
Duds for the Patriots. Roberts will have another tough day on defense and
Eagles
Foles 22/38 270 yards 2 TD 1 Int
pass catchers
Ertz 4/6 40 yards.
Jeffrey 5/10 50 yards
Agholor 7/11 80 yards (they don't have a great match up for him honestly IMO)
RBs/TEs/other WRs have mild success but the key is they don't let RBs absolutely burn them and turn a behind the line catch in 10 yards too often.
Running... I will just do all Eagles RBs.
25 runs for 100 yards. Overall not bad for either side but the Pats can call this a win as they don't let their RBs take over the game or get run over.
Stars for Philly. Agholor has the big game but not big enough. Graham will give the Patriots fits particularly when on the right side. Of course C/RG/RT will probably do very well.
Duds for Philly - The Left side of their OL Vaitai (LT) and Wisniewski (LG) both will have a tough outing. Their CBs will not have good days either.
