Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Chris Long: "I'm not the first guy to donate a lot of money to a cause." | 1:11 Eagles Chris Long is the recipent of the 2018 Byron “Whizzer” White Community MVP Award. Jerry Habraken / The News Journal 1 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Wendell Smallwood at Eagles press gathering | 12:17 News Journal sports reporters Martin Frank and Kevin Tresolini are live with Wilmington native Wendell Smallwood at the Eagles press gathering at the Mall of America. Jerry Habraken/The News Journal 2 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Burton knows his role, will be ready if needed | 0:24 Eagles' Trey Burton tells the media he will be ready if he gets a chance in Super Bowl LII. Jerry Habraken / The News Journal 3 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Harmon finds his strength in religion, makes football easier | 0:45 New England Patriots safety and Caesar Rodney High School graduate Duron Harmon will be playing for his 3rd Super Bowl ring this Sunday. Wochit 4 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL US Bank Stadium: Home of Super Bowl LII | 1:14 Some facts and info about the site of Super Bowl LII, US Bank Stadium. Wochit 5 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Caesar Rodney alum Duron Harmon from the Patriots press gathering | 9:51 News Journal sports reporters Martin Frank and Kevin Tresolini catch up with Caesar Rodney alum Duron Harmon during the Patriots press gathering. Jerry Habraken/The News Journal 6 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Local food drive with an Eagles twist | 0:34 Students at The Independence School collected food for the Food Bank of Delaware. Every barrel filled means a one-hour delay on Monday following Super Bowl LII. John J. Jankowski Jr. & Damian Giletto 7 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Super Bowl LII Behind the Scenes: Eagles Press Gathering | 1:40 A quick behind the scenes look at the Philadelphia Eagles press gathering Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2017. Jerry Habraken / The News Journal 8 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Auto repair workers use sign to celebrate Eagles pride | 1:03 The staff at Paul Campanella's Automotive are sharing in the Eagles super bowl fun with messages on their business billboard on Limestone Rd. Jennifer Corbett/The News Journal 9 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Newark’s Ed Klima is working his 13th Super Bowl | 5:15 News Journal sports reporter Kevin Tresolini speaks with Newark's Ed Klima, who is working his in Minneapolis 13th Super Bowl. Jerry Habraken/The News Journal 10 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Smallwood enjoying time with fans, the Super Bowl experience | 0:33 Smallwood enjoying time with fans, the Super Bowl experience. Jerry Habraken / The News Journal 11 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Live from the Super Bowl Opening Night | 5:14 News Journal sports reporters Martin Frank and Kevin Tresolini report live from Super Bowl Opening Night in Minneapolis. Jerry Habraken/The News Journal 12 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Raw Video: Pederson on Brett Farve addressing Eagles before SB LII | 0:33 Eagles head coach was asked Wednesday if Brett Farve will be speaking to the team before the Super Bowl. Jerry Habraken / The News Journal 13 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Vaitai becoming a dependable replacement after loss of Peters | 1:00 Halapoulivaati Vaitai has grown into a formidiable replacement after the loss of veteran offensive tackle Jason Peters. Wochit 14 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL 3 Patriots will be suiting up as ex-Eagles this Sunday | 1:14 Dion Lewis, Eric Rowe, and Danny Amendola all spent time in Philadelphia with the Eagles before ending up in New England. Wochit 15 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Jason Peters makes an impact from the sidelines | 0:37 Veteran offensive tackle Jason Peters is making the most of his sideline time by helping out the younger players. Wochit 16 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Eagles players looking past opening night, ready to play | 1:27 Philadelphia Eagles players have their eyes on a Super Bowl LII win despite the opening night extravaganza. Jerry Habraken / The News Journal 17 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Eagles’ Fletcher Cox on facing Tom Brady | 2:20 Also, Nick Foles on going to the Super Bowl, Zach Ertz on Wentz and Malcolm Jenkins on the defense. Martin Frank/The News Journal 18 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL From a chance opportunity, Eagles kicker set to break more records | 1:10 Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott is set to break yet another team record in Super Bowl LII. Wochit 19 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Torrey Smith looking for second Super Bowl Ring | 0:32 The Philadelphia Eagles' Torrey Smith will be looking to win his second Super Bowl ring after his 2012 Super Bowl victory with the Baltimore Ravens. Wochit 20 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Fenwick Island Hardware customers find their Eagles fan items | 0:59 Fenwick Island Hardware customers find their Eagles fan items. Jason Minto/The News Journal/USA TODAY 21 of 22 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE WATCH THE LATEST EAGLES AND NFL VIDEOS FROM THE NEWS JOURNAL Amazon's Alexa thinks Eagles will win the Super Bowl | 0:14 Amazon's Alexa is predicting an Eagles win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. 1/24/18 Damian Giletto/The News Journal 22 of 22 Last VideoNext Video Chris Long: "I'm not the first guy to donate a lot of money to a cause."
Wendell Smallwood at Eagles press gathering
Burton knows his role, will be ready if needed
Harmon finds his strength in religion, makes football easier
US Bank Stadium: Home of Super Bowl LII
Caesar Rodney alum Duron Harmon from the Patriots press gathering
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Super Bowl LII Behind the Scenes: Eagles Press Gathering
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Live from the Super Bowl Opening Night
Raw Video: Pederson on Brett Farve addressing Eagles before SB LII
Vaitai becoming a dependable replacement after loss of Peters
3 Patriots will be suiting up as ex-Eagles this Sunday
Jason Peters makes an impact from the sidelines
Eagles players looking past opening night, ready to play
Eagles’ Fletcher Cox on facing Tom Brady
From a chance opportunity, Eagles kicker set to break more records
Torrey Smith looking for second Super Bowl Ring
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Buy Photo Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan is sacked by Philadelphia's Nigel Bradham (obscured) and Brandon Graham in the Eagles' 15-10 win in a NFC Divisional Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field. (Photo: William Bretzger, The News Journal)Buy Photo
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Eagles are playing another football team that happens to be the New England Patriots on Sunday in the Super Bowl,
Their first step in winning that game, conquering the mountain that is the NFL, then unleashing what will surely be one of the wildest sporting celebrations the U.S has ever seen, is to not regard them as something more.
The Patriots are a National Football League team, just as the Eagles are an NFL team.
If the Eagles make the Patriots bigger than that, they are allowing them to wield their No. 1 weapon -- their mystique.
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They cannot do that, or they risk starting from behind.
The Eagles might just be the better football team, betting lines – which have anointed the Patriots as 4½-point favorites – notwithstanding.
But the Patriots have their history, this being their eighth Super Bowl in 17 years. They’ve won five of those, including last year’s.
They have that quarterback Tom Brady, who seems as self-assured and polished at 40 as he did at 30.
They have that coach Bill Belichick, the mastermind behind all their success.
Buy Photo New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady smiles during his interview portion of the Super Bowl Opening Night Monday at the Xcel Energy Center. (Photo: Jerry Habraken, The News Journal)
The Eagles cannot fall under their spell. They need to be just as cool and confident as the Pats, if not more so.
While giving the Patriots their much-deserved plaudits, the Eagles have consistently spoken an “It’s about us, not them” theme.
“You don’t think about it. You just play,” said Eagles tight end Trey Burton of that Patriots aura. “You’ve got to be confident in yourself.
“We’re here to play a game. The more you worry about that, the less you’re worried about the fundamentals and your technique and your job.”
All this week, in the lead-in to Sunday’s 6:30 p.m. kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Eagles have appeared properly prioritized.
“Our guys just go about their business every day,” coach Doug Pederson said.
“We know the opponent we’re up against. A lot of respect for them, obviously, for what they’ve done and what they’ve accomplished. It’s about what we do, how our players handle this week and how well they prepare.”
The Eagles certainly have plenty of reasons to feel confident about their chances.
They are coming off a 38-7 demolition of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC title game, which came hours after the Patriots rallied to upend Jacksonville 24-20 for the AFC crown.
Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox tackles Vikings quarterback Case Keenum in NFC title game. (Photo: Suchat Pederson, The News Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK)
Led by its front four, the defense has been stellar in playoff wins over Atlanta and Minnesota and has allowed just 27 points the last four games.
That defensive line will play a key role in Sunday’s outcome, both in putting pressure on Brady and thwarting the Patriots’ running attack. New England’s offensive front is not deemed a strength.
“That’s something we do every game. We always want in in our hands,” All-Pro defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. “We want to be the ones who get strip sacks, tackles for loss... But number one, we’ve got to go out there and stop the run.”
Offensively, quarterback Nick Foles, who stepped in after Carson Wentz injured his knee, has shown the potential to play at his 2013 All-Pro form. He has completed at least 75 percent of his passes in back-to-back playoff games. Only Joe Montana did that before. He has a variety of big-play pass-catchers and a solid running game to go with it.
But as in any football game between strong, evenly matched teams, this one will come down to who executes better and makes fewer mistakes.
“We have to talk to each other and communicate and tell each other, ‘Hey, don’t make this bigger than what it should be,’ ” said Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham. “We go out here each and every week and we prepare and we always stay ready and when we get out here we execute. I think we’ve got to keep that same mindset.”
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @kevintresolini.