Another Super Bowl, another Patriots comeback.
New England took its first lead of the game with 9:22 left in the game, another Tom Brady-to-Rob Gronkowski touchdown, this one from 4 yards out as New England went up 33-32.
But no lead is safe in Super Bowl LII.
The game has turned into an I-can-do-better scoring contest, with Brady nearing 500 yards and Nick Foles over 300.
While Philadelphia led 22-12 at the half, New England has been the better second-half team. A 26-yard pass to Chris Hogan closed the Eagles’ lead to 29-26 with 3:23 left in the third quarter, and the Patriots only stayed hot.
Philadelphia has had an answer each time. After the Patriots began the second half with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated with a Rob Gronkowski touchdown, it was Philadelphia’s turn.
Corey Clement made a terrific 22-yard catch with 7:18 left in the third quarter, just dragging both feet as he exited the end zone to extend the Eagles’ lead to 28-19.
The perfect Nick Foles throw improved his line to 16-of-28 for 248 yards, two touchdowns and an interception that was not his fault. He also caught a 1-yard touchdown for good measure.
Philadelphia held a 22-12 lead at halftime lead, 30 minutes from keeping Bill Belichick and Tom Brady away from another ring together.
The Eagles closed the half by digging into the playbook and their guts reserve. On fourth-and-1 from the New England 1-yard line, coach Doug Pederson went for it and called a double-reverse, which finished with tight end Trey Burton finding a wide-open Foles in the end zone with 38 seconds left.
Of course, this is the Patriots, so 22-12 can become the new 28-3.
The Patriots tried to climb back into the game with a 26-yard James White rushing touchdown that brought the game to within 15-12 with 2:12 left in the half. Stephen Gostkowski stunningly missed the extra point on a day when special teams have been dreadful.
LeGarrette Blount had pushed the Eagles’ lead to 15-3 by rumbling 21 yards against his former team for a touchdown with 8:48 to play in the second quarter. The Eagles missed the two-point conversion, trying to make up for their own missed extra point.
Both teams are kicking themselves after early mistakes.
The Patriots doinked a 26-yard field goal off the left upright minutes after the Eagles missed their extra-point try.
Patriots holder Ryan Allen couldn’t corral the snap, and Gostkowski double-clutched on his early-second quarter field goal before pulling it left, leaving the ball to the Eagles, up 9-3.
Alshon Jeffery provided the first thrill before his kicker let him down.
The Eagles wide receiver reeled in a 34-yard touchdown with 2:34 left in the first quarter, going over the top of the defense to connect with Foles. But Jake Elliott botched the extra point, pushing it right as the Eagles went ahead 9-3.
The Eagles and Patriots had traded field goals to begin the game, with the offenses moving the ball easily until the red zone.
Tom Brady looked predictably sharp, the 40-year-old starting 4-of-6 for 58 yards, including a 28-yard completion to Chris Hogan in the drive. It finished with a 26-yard Gostkowski field goal to tie the score at 3.
The Eagles had come out soaring, but also stalled at the wrong time.
In a surprisingly pass-heavy first drive, Philadelphia finished a 14-play, 67-yard drive with a 25-yard Elliott field goal.
The Eagles couldn’t get in from 1 yard out and settled for a 3-0 lead.
Foles looked impressive early, going 6-for-9 for 61 yards in his first Super Bowl action.