Countdown to Super Bowl LII - Eagles and Patriots

     The wait is finally over!!!! We now know what two teams will be facing each other in Super Bowl LII in Minnesota.  One game was decided with another 4th quarter comeback by arguably the best QB (Tom Brady) in the history of the NFL and the other game was already done by halftime. Both games had very defining plays that changed the games for the teams that won. Definitely not the match up the NFL had hoped for as evidenced by their Facebook page wanting Minnesota and New England to be in Super Bowl LII.
     In the AFC Championship Game, the New England Patriots needed another late game comeback to win and move on to the Super Bowl. The Jacksonville Jaguars for most of the 1st half had thoroughly dominated the game and were moving down the field for another score when they got a delay of game penalty on a converted play for a 1st down that forced them to punt and the Patriots went down the field for a score to start their comeback. The Jaguars had their chances in the 3rd quarter to really stretch out the lead but had to settle for FG's. For the second game in a row, Jacksonville played to not lose instead of playing to win and this ultimately cost them the game. The difference is a team like New England plays to win at all costs and it is a strategy that has paid off over and over for them. Between some ill advised penalties in both halves and maybe a couple of questionable ones as well, the Jaguars allowed the Patriots back into the game.  Also, the Jaguars allowed a 3rd and 18 pass play that got the Patriots 21 yards and eventually the game winning TD.
The 2 plays, one in each half and not being able to stop New England on a long 3rd down play in the final 2 minutes allowed New England to run out the clock. Tom Brady once again carried the team on his back in the 2nd half and excellent offensive play calling late in the game let Patriots WR's run open all over the field.  The biggest bright spot for the Jaguars was once again the play of QB Blake Bortles, who quieted his critics with another strong game leading his team up and down the field.
     The NFC Championship game started off great for the Minnesota Vikings as they scored on their first drive and were driving again when QB Case Kennum was hit on the arm as he threw a pass and it was intercepted and ran back for a TD that turned the momentum and game around at that point. The Eagles never looked back and scored 38 straight points to throttle Minnesota and advance to their 3rd Super Bowl and second since 2004.  The Philadelphia defense outplayed the Vikings defense and Eagles QB Nick Foles made timely throws all game long to lead the Eagles to an easy victory.  Turnovers were the key to this game as the Vikings turned the ball over 3 times and the Eagles didn't commit any at all. Eagles QB Foles was the games MVP as he passed for over 350 yards and 3 TD's.
     The officiating for these games was better then it was for the first 2 weeks of the NFL Playoffs but in the AFC Championship game, two late second quarter calls on the Jaguars allowed the Patriots to literally walk into the end zone and make a game out of it. It also didn't help the officials cause when a picture was snapped of the main ref joking it up with the Patriots after New England had just scored the late TD in the first half.  In this game Jacksonville was called for 6 penalties and New England for only one. The NFC Championship game had a total of 6 penalties called between the 2 teams.  Also, review time of plays need to be reduced as it really drags a game out and if there is going to be so many reviews on numerous plays in a game, they need to address how to allow the officials to make calls and not review almost every call.
     So all football fans wait for the next 2 weeks to pass quickly and in the meantime figure out what team they will root for in Super Bowl LII. It is time for the office pools and squares to be bought and for all the bettors to place their bets on so many choices as it relates to the game.  Ticket scalpers will drive up the price of tickets and NBC will be charging a reportedly 5M for a 30 second spot. And those who watch the game just for the commercials will clamor to see which one is the best and others will watch just to see the halftime show with Justin Timberlake. So NFL Fans sit back and try to relax as the days will go from 13 days right now until Super Bowl LII on Sunday, February 4 at 6:30 pm.  This will be the last game of the 2017 season for all football aficionado's.
     Super Bowl LII Sunday also kicks off with the Kitty and Puppy Bowls starting things off at noon. Always a great way to start Super Bowl Sunday and once again Cooper and His fellow Pet Posse will be part of these two Bowls.  Cooper once again wants to thank all his fans who followed his Blog posts and his NFL picks each week. Cooper is 8-2 in these NFL Playoffs and was also 181-75 during the season.
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Cooper relaxing as He waits for Super Bowl Sunday