The Philly Special: How the Eagles Shocked the Patriots in Super Bowl LII
Introduction
On February 4, 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Few gave the Eagles much of a chance — they were led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, while Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were chasing yet another championship. But in one of the most thrilling Super Bowls ever, Philadelphia pulled off a stunning upset. The defining moment came late in the second quarter, when Foles caught a touchdown pass on a trick play forever remembered as the “Philly Special.”
Setting the Stage: Eagles vs. Patriots, 2017 Season
The 2017 NFL season was a rollercoaster for Philadelphia.
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Carson Wentz: The Eagles’ MVP-caliber quarterback tore his ACL late in the season, forcing Nick Foles into the starting role.
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Underdogs: Despite a 13–3 record and the NFC’s top seed, the Eagles were doubted throughout the playoffs, even wearing “underdog masks” to embrace the role.
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Patriots’ Dynasty: New England entered the game as the defending champions, with Brady and Belichick seeking their sixth Super Bowl title together.
Super Bowl LII was billed as David vs. Goliath — and David came prepared.
The Game: A Shootout for the Ages
Unlike many defensive Super Bowls, this game turned into an offensive showcase.
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The Eagles struck early with Foles connecting on big passes to Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz.
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The Patriots, as always, fought back behind Brady, who threw for a record-setting 505 yards.
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With less than a minute left in the first half, the Eagles led 15–12 and faced a crucial fourth down near the goal line.
That’s when coach Doug Pederson made the boldest call of his career.
The Play: The Philly Special
On fourth-and-goal from the Patriots’ 1-yard line, the Eagles lined up for what looked like a standard play.
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The Snap: Center Jason Kelce snapped the ball directly to running back Corey Clement, who flipped it to tight end Trey Burton on a reverse.
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The Throw: Burton, a former college quarterback, rolled right and lofted a perfect pass into the end zone.
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The Catch: Nick Foles — the quarterback — slipped into the flat uncovered and caught the pass for a touchdown.
The crowd erupted, and the Eagles extended their lead to 22–12 heading into halftime.
The Confidence Behind the Call
The boldness of the Philly Special cannot be overstated.
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Context: It was 4th-and-goal in the Super Bowl, with under a minute left in the half. Most coaches would settle for a field goal.
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Message: By going for it, Pederson sent a clear signal: the Eagles weren’t backing down from Brady and Belichick.
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Execution: Every player involved performed flawlessly, from Kelce’s snap to Burton’s throw to Foles’ soft hands.
The Second Half: Holding Off Brady
The Patriots kept fighting, and the game remained a back-and-forth shootout.
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In the fourth quarter, Brady gave the Patriots a 33–32 lead.
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Foles responded by leading a clutch drive, capped by Zach Ertz’s go-ahead touchdown.
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With just over two minutes left, Brandon Graham stripped Brady of the ball, sealing the Eagles’ victory.
Final score: Eagles 41, Patriots 33.
Aftermath: Eagles’ First Super Bowl Title
The win gave Philadelphia its first Super Bowl championship, a long-awaited triumph for one of the NFL’s most passionate fan bases. Nick Foles was named Super Bowl MVP, throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns — and, of course, catching one himself.
The Philly Special instantly became a symbol of the team’s boldness and belief.
Legacy of the Philly Special
The play has lived on far beyond Super Bowl LII:
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Cultural Impact: The phrase “Philly Special” became a rallying cry in Philadelphia, with murals, shirts, and even a statue of Foles and Pederson commemorating the moment.
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NFL Trick Play History: It is widely regarded as the greatest trick play in Super Bowl history.
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Symbol of Boldness: The decision to run it showed the power of aggressive coaching — a reminder that fortune favors the brave.
Conclusion
The Philly Special wasn’t just a trick play — it was the defining moment of the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory. Nick Foles’ unlikely catch against the mighty Patriots captured the heart of Philadelphia and reminded the world why the NFL is so unpredictable and thrilling.
Years later, the play remains one of the boldest calls and most iconic highlights in football history, forever etching the 2017 Eagles into NFL lore.
