AFC Champion: New England Patriots
The defending Super Bowl champions are eager to win their second consecutive Super Bowl. Major strengths include veteran quarterback Tom Brady, top level coaching from Bill Belichick, tight end Rob Gronkowski, and a strong rushing game from running back Dion Lewis. Brady and Belichick have won five Super Bowls together in the past, the most by a single player with the same team. In addition, they came back from a 25 point deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons. Season Facts and History: Regular Season Record: 13 – 3 Playoff Seed: 1 Division: AFC East Head Coach: Bill Belichick Offensive MVP: QB Tom Brady Defensive MVP: DE Trey Flowers Points Per Game: 35 Opposition’s Points Per Game: 14 Last Super Bowl Win: 2017 (LI) Last Super Bowl Appearance: 2017 (LI)
NFC Champion: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles aim to earn their first NFL title since 1960, before the Super Bowl even came to be. Major strengths include the NFL #1 rush defense which significantly stopped Falcons running back Devonta Freeman in the divisional round. In addition, backup quarterback Nick Foles has significantly improved since the NFC Championship game where he overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings’ #1 NFL defense with 352 passing yards and 3 touchdown passes. Despite being underdogs in each of their playoff games, the Eagles stunned the entire nation.
Season Facts and History:
Regular Season Record: 13 – 3
Playoff Seed: 1
Division: NFC East
Head Coach: Doug Pederson
Offensive MVP: RB Jay Ajayi
Defensive MVP: SS Malcolm Jenkins
Points Per Game: 15
Opposition’s Points Per Game: 10
Last Super Bowl Win: None
Last Super Bowl Appearance: 2005 (XXXIX)