Super Bowl 2018 pick: Why Philadelphia Eagles will beat New England Patriots, 27-23

Posted February 03, 2018 at 08:01 AM | Updated February 03, 2018 at 08:09 AM

By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- The Eagles are underdogs against the New England Patriots, but with the exception of four-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Tom Brady, have the better team heading into Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. on Sunday, Feb. 4 (2/4/2018).

Surviving adversity has helped Eagles head coach Doug Pederson forge a familial community within his locker room and across several position groups, but it is talent across both lines that will power Philadelphia to its first Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Here's a look at why the Eagles will win the game, 27-23:

BESTPIX - NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings v Philadelphia Eagles

Al Bello | Getty Images

Fletcher Cox leads the best defensive line in the NFL:

The key to beating the Patriots, is pressuring Brady without blitzing him, which the Eagles excel at. Beyond just swarming off the edge with defensive ends Brandon Graham and Chris Long who combined for 14.5 sacks this season, the Eagles do an excellent job pressuring quarterbacks up the middle.

Fletcher Cox has been downright unblockable throughout the playoffs and has already racked up 10 tackles and 1.0 sack during the postseason. If Cox is able to generate a consistent push up the middle against Brady, it will make it easier for the Eagles to play nickel or dime coverage and not send extra blitzes, which would make it even more difficult for Brady to hit his receivers while under duress.

Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media

The Eagles' offensive line is most dominant in the league

The primary reason that the Eagles are going to win the game is because they are built to win along both lines of scrimmage.

Lane Johnson emerged as the premier offensive tackle in the NFL this season by dominating matchups against the likes of Von Miller, Demarcus Lawrence, Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, among others. Brandon Brooks is going to the Pro Bowl. Jason Kelce was named a first-team All-Pro, and Stefen Wisniewski has brought out the best in left tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai.

The Eagles' personnel along the offensive line has done a great job this season of getting blocks on the second level in the running game, and also keeping Foles upright. if the Eagles are able to strike quickly early in the game, it could make life much easier both for the line as well as the running game which would effectively shorten the game and limit Brady's opportunities.

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