Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl LII predictions

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We all know what's at stake. If the Eagles beat the Patriots Sunday night, they'll bring the Lombardi Trophy home to Philadelphia for the first time. 

After decimating the Vikings, 38-7, in the NFC Championship Game, the underdog Eagles are flying high. But they'll have to beat Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the defending champion Patriots to earn their first Super Bowl victory.

Our experts all had the Birds beating the Vikings. Let's see who they have in Super Bowl LII. 

Reuben Frank (16-2)
You could tell back in training camp there was something special going on. The level of practice was so high, the competition was extraordinary, the talent was eye-opening. Did I think this was a Super Bowl team as far back as August? Not quite, but you could tell it was going to take an exceptional effort for anybody to beat this team. I did pick the Eagles to go 10-6, win the NFC East and win a playoff game. I liked what I saw that much. They've done even better than that, and on Sunday will try to win the franchise's first championship in 57 years. I haven't picked the Eagles to lose since Week 2 against the Chiefs, and I'm not changing now. They are not losing this game. Not because this is destiny or it's a great story or they're motivated by being underdogs. No, the Eagles will win the Super Bowl simply because they are the better team. I think they are stronger on both lines and can wear down the Patriots up front on both sides of the ball. By the fourth quarter, the Eagles will be rolling toward their first Super Bowl championship. And then Philly will celebrate like Philly has never celebrated before. 

Eagles 29, Patriots 20

Dave Zangaro (15-3) 
I have learned my lesson. 

Far too many times this season I've counted the Eagles out. I thought they were a 9-7 team that could maybe win 10 games and sneak into the playoffs. I thought they were done when they lost Jordan Hicks and Jason Peters in the same game. And I thought they were definitely done when Carson Wentz went down on Dec. 10 in Los Angeles. Stick a fork in 'em. 

I was wrong. And I'm not going to be wrong again. 

The Eagles are going to win the Super Bowl on Sunday night. 

It won't be easy, of course. They'll need to play another near-perfect game because the greatest quarterback of all time and the greatest coach of all time are on the opposing team. That's great for them. But if you ever needed a reminder that football is a team game, look no further than these Eagles. 

The Eagles are going to win Super Bowl LII because they're the better team. They're going to be able to take down Tom Brady and Bill Belichick because of their depth and their aggression and their coaching and their backups who haven't played like backups all season. 

Before making my prediction, I wanted to see how the Eagles handled Super Bowl week. I wanted to see if the moment looked too big for them. It hasn't; it isn't. They're focused and ready to pull off another upset. 

See you at the parade. 

Eagles 26, Patriots 17

Derrick Gunn (15-3)
And so we've reached the end of the road, and what a journey it has been for the Eagles. Not many expected them to advance this far, yet they've silenced many doubters along the way. Now the only thing standing between them and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy is New England. People I've talked to in the media all week from the Boston area have said this is not the strongest Patriots team to get this far, but they are resilient. The GOAT Tom Brady will use every weapon at his disposal. Can the Eagles' pressure up front keep Brady off balance? That is a huge factor. The Patriots' defense is generous between the 20's, but stingy beyond that. They are one of the best at defending the end zone.

Nick Foles has completed 75 percent of his passes in the playoffs and will have to be on point. He will have success through the air against New England's defense. How much remains to be seen. Can the Birds' running game keep the chains moving and keep Brady off the field? Doug Pederson will have to call the game of his life to outthink Bill Belichick. The Pats already have five trophies, the eagles deserve this one. Their time has come. It should be a good game, maybe even a great one. But when it's all said and done, the streets of Philadelphia will shout for joy. Trumpets will sound off throughout the night. Tears of euphoria will floor communities. Finally, it's your time to celebrate, Philadelphia. It's been way overdue. GO BIRDS!!!

Eagles 24, Patriots 20

Ray Didinger (16-2)
The Patriots are the defending Super Bowl champs and arguably the greatest dynasty in NFL history. To sustain this level of dominance over two decades is an amazing accomplishment. This will be their eighth Super Bowl appearance in the Belichick-Brady era, which is crazy.

But here's the thing: they are not unbeatable.

We saw them lose two Super Bowls to the New York Giants, and those Giants teams were very similar to the Eagles — a fierce pass rush that frustrated Brady, an offense that was able to control the football and, most of all, a team playing with no fear. The only way to beat the Patriots is to attack them from the first snap to the last. Atlanta let them back in the game in last year's Super Bowl and blew a 25-point lead. Jacksonville led them in the fourth quarter in the AFC title game, let up and lost.

The Patriots know how to play the big games — they've been in enough of them — but this is not a particularly talented team. The Eagles are better across both lines and their wide assortment of weapons will test even a master defensive strategist like Belichick. The Patriots have Super Bowl experience and that's not to be discounted, but the Eagles have overcome so much to get here I don't see them stopping now.

Eagles 27, Patriots 24

Andrew Kulp (15-3) 
After everything that's happened, how unexpected and unlikely this Eagles' season has been, there's no way I'm picking against them now. I think they're the better team, too.

Eagles 34, Patriots 17

Corey Seidman (13-4) 
The Patriots put up 24 points and barely beat the Jaguars, who had one of the NFL’s best defenses this season. I think the Eagles’ defense is better, and they do have the personnel to combat an elite tight end. 

Two things scare me: An early 14-0 Patriots lead, or the Eagles being up by less than a field goal and giving Brady the ball back with 90 seconds to go. 

If the Eagles play a relatively clean game — maybe one turnover, two is really pushing it, three and you’re losing — they have more total talent and playmakers than New England, especially defensively. 

Months ago, around Week 9, I joked to Barrett Brooks in the NBC Sports Philly newsroom that the tale of the Eagles’ season would involve Nick Foles having to step in and lead them to their first Super Bowl win. It was a 100% joke, a play-out-every-scenario-in-your-head-kinda thing. Wish I tweeted it. 

Eagles 30, Patriots 24

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