New England Patriots to face the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl 52

  • 22/01/2018
Nick Foles and Tom Brady will lead their sides on February 5.
Nick Foles and Tom Brady will lead their sides on February 5. Photo credit: Getty

The New England Patriots are going back to American football's Super Bowl after seeing off a tough challenge from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Star quarterback Tom Brady was once again the hero, overcoming a hand injury to throw two touchdown passes in the final quarter for a 24-20 victory.

The underdog Jaguars marched to a 14-3 lead late in the second quarter before Brady and the Patriots launched their comeback.

Running back James White crossed with three-minutes on the clock in the first half to close the gap heading into the break.

Jacksonville stretched the lead to 20-10 with less than 10 minutes on the clock - more than enough time for the 40-year-old Patriots quarterback to pull his side in front.

Two touchdown passes to receiver Danny Amendola, the last with less than three-minutes remaining, got the five-time Superbowl champions the result a thunderous New England crowd was praying for.

They 'Pats' will play the Philadelphia Eagles on January 5 (NZT) after the latter ran rampant over a hapless Minnesota Vikings 38-7.

Inspired by a ferocious defensive display, the Eagles offence had a point to prove, putting the NFL's best defence to shame in front of a raucous Philadelphia crowd.

Would-be experts had written the Eagle off pre-playoffs after star quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a knee injury in December.

Backup Nick Foles, mocked by many, produced a career defining performance throwing for three touchdown passes without turning the ball over.

Receiver Alshin Jeffery caught two touchdowns against a defence that had only leaked more than 17-points once in the regular season.

The Eagles defence squeezed a limp Viking offence into committing three turnovers - two of which produced touchdown plays for the hosts.

The Super Bowl 52 matchup will be a rematch of 2005 when Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 24-21 win over the Eagles.

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