 |
| The play of the game Photo Credit: USA Today Images |
1. Brandon Graham (Last Week: Not Ranked) - If you're not an Eagles fan, you might want to skip over this week's BITW rankings. Honestly though, I've waited my whole life for this. A lot more people have waited a lot longer. When Brandon Graham strip-sacked Tom Brady last night and rookie Derek Barnett recovered, I audibly yelled WE WON THE SUPER BOWL in my living room even though the game still had quite a bit of drama left. But honestly, the pass rush didn't get there all night until that point, but it was at the most clutch moment. Sometimes, it's not performing all the time, but performing at the right time. Graham was maligned when he was picked and for the first few years afterwards, when Jason Pierre-Paul and Earl Thomas seemingly outperformed him. However, he rounded out and became maybe the best defensive player taken in his draft class outside of Ndamukong Suh. And now, he doesn't have to worry about buying a drink in the city of Philadelphia ever again. Also, he has a Booty-Os lunchbox in his locker. GOAT.
2. Nick Foles (Last Week: Not Ranked) - I was as down on Foles as anyone when he came in for Carson Wentz after his injury. Foles wasn't good after his 27 touchdown, two interception year here, and he was dreadful for the Rams after being traded there. But over the last two and a half playoff games, no one played better under center than Big Dick Nick, whose only interception came in the Super Bowl on a juggling bobble. The best highlight, however, was him catching a touchdown pass in the waning moments of the first half, not five minutes after Brady dropped a pass on a similar gadget play. It was maybe the only way the Eagles could have won their first Super Bowl.
3. Rodney McLeod (Last Week: Not Ranked) - The Eagles secondary got beat up a bit, but given they were playing against Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and a cast of annoying White wide receivers, it was to be expected. But McLeod still found time to make a positive highlight by snatching a leaping Brandin Cooks out of the air and powerbombing him to the turf. IT was a Last Ride Undertaker would've been proud of. Or maybe it was more like a high-angle Arn Anderson spinebuster. Either way, kudos to you, Rodney McLeod.
4. Howie Roseman (Last Week: Not Ranked) - You know how I know Roseman is the best general manager in the league? The Eagles lost Carson Wentz, Darren Sproles, Jason Peters, Chris Maragos, Caleb Sturgis, and other key players to injury, and they still won the Super Bowl. Other teams lose one guy and it unravels their entire year. He built a goddamn TEAM.
5. Doug Pederson (Last Week: Not Ranked) - NFL head coaches are the most risk-averse cowards in sports, which is what makes Pederson's game last night, hell, his entire year, his entire TENURE with the Eagles so majestic. What other coach goes for it in the situation at the end of the first half with the trick play to Foles for the touchdown? Bill Belichick, yeah. Maybe Chuck Pagano, but he got fired because he wasn't a good coach otherwise. Pederson stands out because he's aggressive. I hope he coaches here forever.
6. Trey Burton (Last Week: Not Ranked) - How's a third-string tight end gonna throw the biggest touchdown in Eagles history? That's how you know that Philly is the best-weirdest town in America, and that it was all meant to be.
7. Meatballs (Last Week: Not Ranked) OFFICIAL HOLZERMAN HUNGERS SPONSORED ENTRY - Any Super Bowl party has to have a decent spread, and what better food to put on it than the meatball? It's so versatile, and it's hard to really get wrong.
8. Nelson Agholor (Last Week: Not Ranked) - Imagine thinking this time last year that Agholor would not only still be here, but be a huge part of the Eagles' title season and the Super Bowl itself? Keenan Allen might have won Comeback Player of the Year, and honestly, he deserved it for coming back from nearly having his leg amputated to put up GOD NUMBERS. But Agholor's breakthrough is impressive enough to note.
9. Zach Ertz (Last Week: Not Ranked) - Look, I'm taking nothing from Rob Gronkowski, who showed up to play and was a major pain in the Eagles' asses until the final whistle. But man, the Pats had no answer for the Eagles' monster TE Ertz, especially on his touchdown reception. On that note, Cris Collinsworth can choke on a gallon of pennies. Ertz caught the ball at the seven, took three steps, and broke the plane of the end zone. By rule, once he took that SECOND step, he wasn't a receiver, he was a runner, and once a runner breaks the plane, he scores. Whatever happens after doesn't fucking matter. Collinsworth is actively bad at his job and should just retire to running his shitty stats website.
10. LeGarrette Blount (Last Week: Not ranked) - It might not rhyme, but LeGarrette Blount is here for porkin'.
