Eagles take 10-point lead over Patriots into halftime of Super Bowl LII
MINNEAPOLIS — A dramatic and courageous trick play on fourth down gave the Philadelphia Eagles’ hopes of springing a Super Bowl LII upset a major boost after a wild first half at U.S. Bank Stadium.
In the final minute of the opening half the Eagles went for it on fourth down at the 2-yard line, with Trey Burton throwing a touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles to give Philadelphia a 22-12 lead over the New England Patriots.
The first half wasn’t perfect football, but there was no shortage of unexpected entertainment, with two missed extra points, a muffed field goal and even a failed Patriots trick play that saw Tom Brady drop a simple pass from Danny Amendola.
Philadelphia went in as a significant underdog with the Patriots seeking to clinch a third Super Bowl title in the last four years, but started strongly in front of a heavily pro-Eagles crowd.
Foles highlighted a strong display with a touchdown throw that was spectacularly caught by Alshon Jeffery and LeGarrette Blount ran in another to put the Eagles up 15-3, while the Patriots struggled uncharacteristically on offense.
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Sure enough, however, Brady began to click into gear towards the end of the half, and James White ran in a touchdown that looked to have put the defending champion in a solid position heading into the break.
But Foles was undeterred, and mounted another powerful drive to expand the gap once more and give his side hope of winning a first Super Bowl in franchise history. Eagles fans will need no reminding, however, of the Patriots’ ability to overturn a deficit, having rebounded from 28-3 behind against the Atlanta Falcons a year ago.