Will Eagles’ Super Bowl Win Spell End to Patriots’ Dynasty?

The Philadelphia Eagles not only won their first Super Bowl last night, but in pulling out a thrilling victory, they may have driven a spike into the New England Patriot dynasty, football’s greatest but most-detested team.

The Eagles exuded confidence, had more energy, were better coached and outplayed the Patriots in every category, except quarterback. While the Patriots were doomed by poor defence, questionable officiating and some bad luck, it certainly felt that their brilliant decade-and-a-half run of football dominance was finally drawing to an end.

After the loss, Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick, 65, looked and sounded utterly defeated last night, accepting blame for the loss: “In the end, we just couldn’t quite make enough plays, and that was all on me.”

Belichick may indeed sense the end of the dynasty is coming quickly as it usually does in football. Not only will he lose the services of two long-time assistants, Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels, next year but there’s also a rumour that star tight-end Rob Gronkowski, who’s considering retirement after suffering a severe concussion in the playoffs.

Tom Brady, at 40, who threw for over 500 yards, played about as well as a quarterback can play. But the question remains: how long can a 40-year-old continue to defy the odds and continue performing at elite levels?

As well, the Patriots’ defence looked slow and bewildered all night. Not only did they yield 41 points, but they couldn’t hold the Eagles on third down, allowing their opponents to convert at a ridiculous 65% rate.

The Eagles vaunted defence proved to be just as porous but came through when it mattered, sacking quarterback Tom Brady and causing him to fumble late in the fourth quarter.

Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who did a brilliant job subbing for starter Carson Wentz, not only throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns, but also catching a touchdown pass to end the first half.

So congratulations Philly and Fly Eagles Fly.  Not only does your  football-crazed city get to celebrate its first Super Bowl but may also get to enjoy the fact that you ended one of the greatest sports dynasties in the process.