Super Bowl 52 features the 2 of the best teams in the league this year. Neither are ranked #1 in offense or defense, but both are within the top 5. In terms of legal Super Bowl betting, this game is a close one. In terms of stats on paper, this game is also a close one. Whether you analyze this game as a fan or bettor, there are some interesting things to point out regarding both teams. For some players, this game could put them on the map with some record holders. For others, they would be setting records of their own.
Patriots QB Tom Brady has already written himself into the NFL history books. He was won 5 Super Bowls, multiple AFC Championships and Division Champion titles, all with the same team. At 40 years old, he shouldn’t be leading the league in passing yards, but that is exactly what he did in the 2017/2018 season with 4,577 yards. No other QB in history has led the league in yards and then won a Super Bowl. In fact, the previous league-leading QBs are 0-5 in this scenario. However, if anyone can pull off this record it is Brady.
Brady could also double his record, along with Bill Belichick, for the number of Playoff wins by a coach-QB combo. Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw hold the second-place record with 13 wins. Brady and Belichick currently have 27. A Super Bowl 52 victory will cement their place in history as the winningest coach and QB combination.
On the other side, QB Nick Foles is also looking at some interesting facts. It is rare to include Brady and Foles in the same conversation, but these 2 share a common stat that may surprise some. These 2 are the only players in NFL history to have at least 25 touchdowns and 2 or fewer interceptions in a season. Brady did it in 2016 and Foles did it in 2013. While Brady has been pretty consistent over his career, Foles has had ups-and-downs. It’s clear he is currently riding an up. An Eagles victory would put these 2 in the same room again, as the only backup QB to ever take over and lead his team to a Super Bowl is Tom Brady back in 2001.
While TE Rob Gronkowski has yet to be cleared after suffering a concussion in the AFC Championship, most fans are hoping he’s in. If so, Super Bowl 52 will feature the 2 best tight ends in the league this year. Gronk led his team in both receptions (69) and receiving yards (1,084). TE Zach Ertz also led the Eagles in receptions (74) and yards (824). Expect these 2 to be targeted throughout the game. They’ll be both be a vital part of their QBs’ attempts to set records.
2 other players looking at records are LeGarrette Blount and Chris Long, both on the Eagles. Blount and Long were on the Patriots last year and won Super Bowl LI. If they win this year with the Eagles, they’ll be in company with Deion Sanders, the only other player in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls with different teams.
Super Bowl odds say New England wins this game, but Philadelphia is not to be taken lightly. They’ve shown this throughout the regular and postseason. People seem to forget they are the #1 seed in the NFC. Whether Brady or Foles holds up the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the game, Super Bowl 52 will be a historic night.