Each week the game comes down to the match-ups. These are the top match-ups that will determine which team emerges victorious.
With a super match-up on tap for Sunday, February 4th in Super Bowl 52 there are too many important match-ups to limit to just five. All of the match-ups are key so we will go through all the match-ups and see which will determine if the Patriots repeat as Super Bowl champions against the Philadelphia Eagles or if Nick Foles and the ferocious Eagles’ defense will pull off the historic upset and vault them to their first Super Bowl.
Eagles’ Offensive Line vs Patriots’ Defensive Line
According to most reports, the Philadelphia Eagles have rolled to the Super Bowl in a large part behind the strong play of their offensive line. With starting quarterback and MVP-candidate Carson Wentz sidelined, the Eagles’ offensive line has allowed for backup quarterback Nick Foles to get comfortable and allow for the offense to get back on track in the playoffs.
Without Wentz, the Eagles had 341 yards of offense–in a close win over a Giants team that had quit already–followed by poor showings against the Raiders (216 yards), the Cowboys (219 yards), and in the Divisional round against the Falcons (334 yards and just 15 points). Philadelphia exploded against Minnesota in the NFC Conference Championship game for 456 yards of offense including 346 yards passing (all statistics from Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted).
The offensive line is missing its best player in left tackle Jason Peters who tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee against Washington in October. In his place the Eagles have turned to Halapoulivaati Vaitai, a 2016 fifth-round draft pick out of TCU, to take over at left tackle. Vaitai was not completely inexperienced as he had started six games at right tackle last season. However, Vaitai is clearly the weak link and ProFootballFocus.com graded him with an overall grade of 39.1.

Next to Vaitai is veteran Stefan Wisniewski. Wisniewski stepped in and has been excellent in pass protection–although his run blocking has been just average. He did not even start the season as the starter and stepped in after the Eagles tired or Isaac Seumalu’s turnstile imitation in the first game of the season. Wisniewski and Vaitai on the left side are the reason why the Eagles will run to the right when they need to pick up tough yardage.
The Eagles make up for their weak play on the left side with strong play at the other three spots on the offensive line. Center Jason Kelce, right guard Brandon Brooks, and right tackle Lane Johnson were all among the best at their position this season. This trio is superior run blockers and was a brick wall against pass rushers this season. If the Patriots are planning to attack the Philadelphia offensive line, the left side is the side to do it.
-
Ep 114: Aaron Rodgers, OBJ, and The New York Jets
by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:09 am
New England Defensive Line
New England was able to pressure Tennessee in the Divisional round once they had built a lead and made the Titans one-dimensional on offense. Against Jacksonville, New England created almost no pressure on the Jaguars until the Patriots began blitzing in the second-half. The Patriots–outside of edge rusher Trey Flowers–lack the dominant edge-rusher or inside pass rusher to disrupt an offense.
The Patriots had 16 different defensive players record a sack in 2017 and then had two or more sacks. On the edge opposite Flowers–who led the team with 6.5 sacks–the Patriots feature rookie fourth-round draft pick Deatrich Wise Jr. (five sacks), undrafted rookie free agent Eric Lee (3.5 sacks) who was plucked off the Bills’ practice squad, and 39-year old veteran James Harrison (two sacks).

This group had to pick-up the slack after veteran Rob Ninkovich retired, Cassius Marsh flamed-out, Shea McClellin spent the entire season on injured reserve, and rookie Derek Rivers tore his ACL.
On the interior of the defensive line, the Patriots have been stout down the stretch. They held Buffalo to 84 yards on 24 rushing attempts and the Jets to 40 yards on 19 rushing attempts in the last two regular season games. In the playoffs, they allowed the Titans to rush for just 65 yards on 16 rushing attempts and last week the Jaguars’ top-ranked rushing attack to just 101 yards on 32 attempts. That is just 290 yards in four games (72.5 yards per game average) and a paltry 3.19 yards per rushing attempt.
With Alan Branch still sidelined with a knee injury, journeyman Ricky Jean-Francois has teamed with Lawrence Guy and Malcom Brown on the interior to give the Patriots a trio of hefty big-bodies to fill gaps and keep running backs from getting free runs into the secondary. When the Patriots need pressure, undrafted free agent rookie defensive tackle Adam Butler is the designated interior pass rusher.
How the Patriots’ front holds up against the Eagles’ strong offensive line is going to be a big part of the Super Bowl. Fortunately, the Patriots can move edge rushers Trey Flowers and James Harrison to maximize the match-up with Eagles’ left tackle Vaitai. If New England can slow the Eagles’ rushing attack and generate pressure on quarterback Foles, they should have a chance to slow the Philadelphia offense.
–Hal Bent is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media. He covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @halbent01
-
Ep 149: Remembering Bud Grant With Former Vikings RB Chuck Foremanby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 10:41 pm
Former Vikings running back Chuck Foreman joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 148: Hall of Fame Voter John McClain Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on March 15, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Hall of Fame voter John McClain of Gallery Sports returns to the show to […]
-
Inside Bryce Young's Pro Day & his meetings with the Carolina Panthersby LandryFootball.com on March 24, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Chris takes you inside Bryce Young's Pro Day at Ohio State as well as his […]
-
Inside CJ Stroud's Pro Day & his meeting with the Panthersby LandryFootball.com on March 24, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Chris takes you inside CJ Stroud's Pro Day at Ohio State as well as his […]
-
Ep 278: The Trade Marchby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 8:02 pm
-
Ep 277: Free Agency March Madnessby Full Press Coverage on March 17, 2023 at 2:39 am
-
Ep 276: Franchise Tag 2023by Full Press Coverage on March 8, 2023 at 8:28 pm
-
Ep 275: Dynasty Dispersal Draftby Full Press Coverage on March 4, 2023 at 2:06 pm
-
Episode 3.5: "Free Agent Frenzy" w/ Pete Hailey from NBC Sports Washington and "Big Doug" McCrayby Full Press Coverage on March 15, 2023 at 8:40 pm
George Carmi hosts NBC Sports Washington's Pete Hailey and Doug McCray on […]
-
Season 3.4: "Winds of Change" with Rick Snider of 106.7 The Fan and "Big Doug" McCrayby Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2023 at 10:33 pm
George Carmi hosts Rick Snider from 106.7 The Fan to discuss the latest […]
-
Full Press Islanders - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 5:05 pm
The Isles got help yesterday in a massive way with the Pens and Panthers […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Recap the loss to Nashville and look at the playoff picture. Learn more […]
-
3/24 - Bruins Approaching Record; OBJ To the New York Jets?by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:07 am
Ian and John discuss the Boston Bruins dominance and discuss whether or […]
-
3/22 - World Baseball Classic Was A Classic; Connor McDavid on Hockey Tournamentby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Ian and John discuss the success of the World Baseball Classic and debate […]
-
3/21 - Aaron Rodgers Latest, World Baseball Classic Talkby Full Press Coverage on March 21, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ian and John talk more Aaron Rodgers and the excitement around the World […]
-
3/20 - Aaron Rodgers, Brandin Cooks, Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on March 20, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the latest with Aaron Rodgers, the Brandin Cooks […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Ep 114: Aaron Rodgers, OBJ, and The New York Jetsby Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:09 am
-
3/24 - Bruins Approaching Record; OBJ To the New York Jets?by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:07 am
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Thunder at Lakersby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Ep. 230 - NBA Playoff Race Could Come Down To Injuriesby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 9:42 pm
-
Suns at Kingsby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Bulls at Blazersby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Sixers at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Bucks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Ep. 161: Emporia State University Head Football Coach Garin Higginsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 6:43 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Revolution Reviewby Boot 2 The Face on March 10, 2023 at 12:42 am
AEW Revolution Review, Power Rankings, B2TF of the Week, and […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 215by Boot 2 The Face on March 2, 2023 at 12:50 am
We are back talking Kenny Omega's importance to AEW. Also, we break down […]