The Super Bowl is nearly upon us and while the Eagles may have had their bid to make the biggest sporting event of the year cut short, there are four former Eagles who will be hoping to win the ultimate prize. In the spirit of our five bold predictions series, it only makes sense that we put an Eagles related twist in our coverage of Super Bowl LI.
Eric Rowe:
The controversial decision to send the second-year cornerback packing to New England is one that has haunted the Eagles all year long and fueled debates across the Country. Since first suiting up for the Patriots, Rowe has flashed just as much as he did in his rookie season with the Eagles.
Surprisingly, Rowe’s 55.8 QBR allowed against him is the lowest of any cornerback in the Super Bowl and after silencing Big Ben, allowing just 2/8 pass completions for 60 yards, Rowe clinched the game sealing interception, sending the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
It would only be fitting that Rowe would sting Howie Roseman once more by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy..but even more fitting if he had one big play left in the tank this season.
Our first bold prediction is for Rowe to pick off one pass and break up two in tomorrow’s Super Bowl, helping the Patriots Defense weather the storm of the Falcons explosive Offense.
Dion Lewis:
Drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round back in 2011, Dion Lewis was simply suffocated behind LeSean McCoy, leaving him primarily on kick return duty. After an off-season arrest saw his chances of breaking out fall even further, he was traded to the Browns in 2013. A string of injuries, new teams and setbacks continued to cycle their way into the life of the former Pittsburgh running back, but now he’s on the grandest stage of all.
The Patriots signed Lewis to a futures deal back in 2014 and has featured as a committee back since then scoring two touchdowns in 2015 and rushing for 283 regular season yards this year. But it was his incredible showing against the Texans that saw his world turn upside down.
Not only did Lewis rush for an explosive first half touchdown, but the then caught a touchdown pass as well, sending the Patriots surging past the Texans in the AFC Divisional round.
Now in the biggest game of his life, we’re predicting Lewis to rush for 50 yards and receive for a touchdown..because this story frankly deserves a fairytale ending.
Danny Amendola:
It’s easy to forget that one of the Patriots most trusted receivers once spent a short stint in Philadelphia..and even caught 43 passes in his rookie year from former Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford.
Since his time in Philly, Amendola has gone on to become a staple of the Patriots offense, receiving for 1,724 yards and ten touchdowns in the process. Setting a career high in regular season touchdowns this year (4), despite only playing in 4 games, Amendola looks to add a second ring to his collection.
Our third bold prediction is for Danny Amendola to better his last Super Bowl outing, in which he recorded 48 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks.
Patrick Chung:
It’s been a long road for former Eagles Safety, Patrick Chung. After being drafted by the Patriots back in 2009, Chung landed in Philadelphia just four years later after failing to emerge under Bill Belichick. The Eagles signed Chung to a three-year deal, only for him to be released year later after yet another sub-par season.
Chung returned to the Patriots alongside Devin McCourty and the rest is history. An extension was earned and a Super Bowl was won. But Chung’s story doesn’t end there.
With 91 tackles, an interception and a sack this season, Chung has truly become the player that the Patriots hoped he would during his first stint with the team. But to put the icing on the cake, the Safety needs to dominate against the most dangerous Offense in the NFL.
Our final bold prediction is for Chung to force his first fumble of the year and rack up 7 tackles against the Falcons.
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
