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Super Bowl 52
The dust has settled. It is the Monday morning after the American Football Conference Championships. The upstart Jacksonville Jaguars fell just short in their attempt to conquer the New England Patriots. What were they thinking? Even after “Gronk” was banished to the sidelines in the first half, the Patriots found a way, as they always do, and chugged their way to the final. The Super Bowl will be the eighth for Brady and Coach Belichick.
The Jaguars played undisciplined football, giving up 98 yards on six penalties. The Pats lost 10 yards on one penalty throughout the entire game. Near the end of the second quarter, the Jags took two long pass interference penalties, and an unnecessary roughness call. The Pats took advantage, and scored a touchdown just before half time.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the Eagles dusted off their wings and flew to an easy victory over the Minnesota Vikings for the National Football Conference Championship. The Vikings were touted as the favourites for the game, but were soundly defeated 38-7. The Vikes scored first, then watched the Eagles trounce them in all areas of the game.
There is now a two-week layoff for the Pats and the Eagles. Wounds will heal, the aches and pains will diminish as they prepare for the final assault. There will be moaning and groaning in the trainers’ rooms, just a little less in Philly and New England.
Tom Brady will be asked about eight thousand times how his hand feels. He showed on Sunday that it worked pretty well. He finished the game by completing 26 of 38 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns. The Jaguars led early in the fourth quarter, 20-10, but could not contend with the mystique of the Patriots, and their ability to record another come-from-behind victory.
The Eagles lost their starting quarterback early in the season, and felt destined to suffer another tough season of mediocre football. Enter backup Nick Foles. He played brilliantly down the stretch, and now has the job of rallying his troops for their first Super Bowl since 2005. A game they lost to the Patriots.
The Eagles’ Jaylen Watkins will be the lone South West Florida player in the Super Bowl. He played his high school football at Cape Coral High, as a quarterback. Ten other athletes from the area have played in Super Bowls. Six have raised the Lombardi Trophy.
Notable players from the area who have played the final game include: De Vondre Campbell, Tre Boston, Matt Prater, Edgerrin James, Jevon Kearse, Martin Gramatica, and Deion Sanders.
All things considered, this is not a large area. But the game is played and practiced here year round. Because of the climate, athletes are better skilled, more athletic, and better prepared than are those from the north.
Ah! There goes my timer! I am heading to the pool. Enjoy the SuperBowl!
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