"The Patriots lost to a backup QB in the Super Bowl"

[sb1]

This is the theme these days from Pats critics.

While this statement is technically true, just like it's very true that the Greatest Show on Turf lost to a backup QB in the Super Bowl...but it's also a little disingenuous, as said backup QB was a pro bowler not that long ago, he also won 3 playoff games this year and would be a solid starter on most teams in the NFL. It's not like the Pats lost a Super Bowl to a Brian Hoyer or Brett Hundley or Landry Jones.

So silly what people will reach for these days to pile on the Patriots. SMH

 

[Ivan]

It’s completely true. How Foles played doesn’t change the fact that he was the Eagles 2nd string QB. He deserves all the credit in the world for his performance, as do Reich and Pederson for getting him ready and calling great games for him, but the fact remains that any team using their back up QB in a big game is at a disadvantage. The Patriots were unable to capitalize on that advantage and that is entirely in them. Congrats to the Eagles, even if they don’t know how to win with any class.

 

[Soliel]

All I have to say on that too enemies of the pats is -at least they made it to the game.

Have fun critics from your couch

 

[Jackson 2]

Who gives a f###?

 

[TBR]

They did. More specifically, the defense headed by Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia did.

Although I can see taking issue with people who try to spin that and claim "Brady lost to a backup QB/Nick Foles in the Super Bowl".

 

[maust]

They did lose to the Eagles backup QB. While we have to accept and deal with some shade from the Eagles and their fans over it the fans of 30 other teams need to answer for where their teams were on Super Bowl Sunday then STFD & STFU. When the Pats win the SB we celebrate. When they lose the fans of 31 other teams do. Think about that for a moment and you'll realize something they don't, it's the price that comes with greatness and the trolls would kill for it to be their teams that is great enough to inspire that level of insane envy and jealousy.

 

[PatsWSB47]

It’s completely true. How Foles played doesn’t change the fact that he was the Eagles 2nd string QB. He deserves all the credit in the world for his performance, as do Reich and Pederson for getting him ready and calling great games for him, but the fact remains that any team using their back up QB in a big game is at a disadvantage. The Patriots were unable to capitalize on that advantage and that is entirely in them. Congrats to the Eagles, even if they don’t know how to win with any class.

While it's technically true all backups are not equal. Foles has been a starter in the league and took on and beat everyone he faced this year when his name was called on the way to and in the SB. The defense was sub par in that game but he took every advantage. I'm tempted to dismiss the remarks from these critics because of this but I can't entirely because the defense was so bad they kind if have it coming.

 

[Jangles]

They lost, and the defense was a no show

I doubt Brian Hoyer would have looked much worse

 

[brdmaverick]

Well, they did lose to a backup quarterback. We need to accept that and not try to pump up Nick Foles into something more than he is to make ourselves feel better.

Like you said, Brady was a backup when he won. In fact, Warner was a backup when he won. So it's not the first time this has happened.

It does make it tougher to swallow though, when the backup became the starter so late in the season.

But yes, the Eagles won with a backup. They have every right to gloat. I mean this wasn't just a case of a backup managing the game and hiding behind a stacked defense (ala Trent Dilfer). No, this backup completely put the pedal to the metal and scorched the D.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

This is the theme these days from Pats critics.

While this statement is technically true, just like it's very true that the Greatest Show on Turf lost to a backup QB in the Super Bowl...but it's also a little disingenuous, as said backup QB was a pro bowler not that long ago, he also won 3 playoff games this year and would be a solid starter on most teams in the NFL. It's not like the Pats lost a Super Bowl to a Brian Hoyer or Brett Hundley or Landry Jones.

So silly what people will reach for these days to pile on the Patriots. SMH

Yeah, he's not your everyday "back up. The Bills lost to a back up, too, but Foles was an MVP candidate a few years back, throwing only 3 INTs.

It's just more crap they can throw onto the wound. Who cares at this point?

The Pats will be back in the title game next year and hopefully a lot healthier so they can be in better position.

 

[brdmaverick]

Or to phrase it another way, as much as you are building up Foles there is a reason he began the year as a backup.

Sure, he has a Pro Bowl credit to his resume, but so does Matt Cassel, Vince Young, Trent Dilfer, RG3, Matt Shaub, and Derek Anderson.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

They did. More specifically, the defense headed by Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia did.

Although I can see taking issue with people who try to spin that and claim "Brady lost to a backup QB/Nick Foles in the Super Bowl".

Foles played better than Brady. I know that hurts to admit, but in a shootout, Foles executed better, including catching the football.

 

[Ivan]

While it's technically true all backups are not equal. Foles has been a starter in the league and took on and beat everyone he faced this year when his name was called on the way to and in the SB. The defense was sub par in that game but he took every advantage. I'm tempted to dismiss the remarks from these critics because of this but I can't entirely because the defense was so bad they kind if have it coming.

The defense deserves all the criticism in the world , but that in no way diminished the job that Foles and the Eagles did.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

The defense deserves all the criticism in the world , but that in no way diminished the job that Foles and the Eagles did.

Yes, Philly's D deserves all the criticism. They weren't very good, certainly not what they were played up to be.

 

[Froob]

We won five Super Bowls with a backup QB.

 

[Nehalem]

Like you said, Brady was a backup when he won. In fact, Warner was a backup when he won. So it's not the first time this has happened.

Brady wasn't the backup. Brady supplanted the original starter, which is different.

 

[FCB02062]

The Corpse of Rohan Davey would've put up 300 and 3 tds vs the Patriots Super Bowl defense...

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Brady wasn't the backup. Brady supplanted the original starter, which is different.

No, it's actually the exact same thing. Starter gets hurt, back up comes in.

 

[ivanvamp]

It’s completely true. How Foles played doesn’t change the fact that he was the Eagles 2nd string QB. He deserves all the credit in the world for his performance, as do Reich and Pederson for getting him ready and calling great games for him, but the fact remains that any team using their back up QB in a big game is at a disadvantage. The Patriots were unable to capitalize on that advantage and that is entirely in them. Congrats to the Eagles, even if they don’t know how to win with any class.

Keep in mind that Nick Foles isn't your run of the mill backup. In 2013 the guy was unfreakingbelievable. 64.0%, 27 td, 2 int, 119.2 rating. In 2014 he was back to earth but still posted an 81.4 rating, which was just 27th in the NFL but still starting caliber. His career passer rating is 87.4 from 2012-2017. Over that time, the NFL average passer rating was 86.0, making Foles not only starter-caliber, but above average.

He's not Tom Brady but he's no slouch. As we saw, give the guy time to throw and he can carve you up.

 

[letekro]

He put the ball on a dime all night and even made plays the few times he had pressure. Maybe they could’ve jumped some routes or something but they ran a lot of interesting plays that got people open quickly. That’s what the Patriots have doing to others for years. Even when he threw down field he was ridiculously accurate. Backup QB or not, that offense was humming the last 2.5 games of the year.