If there was ever a game in the NFL for which you could take away some dramatic stories
Youth Rashaan Gaulden Jersey , unbelievable offense, controversial calls and historic moments, Super Bowl LII was that game. The Philadelphia Eagles won their first-ever聽Super Bowl and the city of Philly will be partying聽for weeks to come.From unprecedented offense to amazing single performances and gusty coaching decisions, this particular Super Bowl may be considered one of the most entertaining ever. The results weren't certain聽until the final play of the game and the action was back and forth all night.In a game that has to be considered a track meet, here are five huge takeaways from Super Bowl LII.A Backup QB Was Good EnoughWhat a night. What a moment. What a team.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/R3acAPIkPN— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 5, 2018Nick Foles wasn't looked at to be the hero of the game by any stretch but that's exactly what he wound up being. The backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles was more than just a backup on Sunday, he was lights-out fantastic as he聽went 28-of-43 for 373 yards, three touchdowns and a passer rating of 106.1.The questions were, could Foles withstand the pressure that was playing in the Super Bowl, going up against Tom Brady and proving to people that the Eagles could win without their starter. Foles was better than good enough, he was the game's MVP.Brady Was Awesome, Just Not Awesome EnoughThank you Tom Brady and the @Patriots for an incredible 2017 season. pic.twitter.com/PDBks6e43l— NFL (@NFL) February 5
Authentic Billy Price Jersey , 2018Nick Foles may have won MVP, but an argument could be made that Tom Brady was the best player on the field. He broke all sorts of quarterback records, threw for over 500 yards and almost mounted the traditional Brady comeback we've seen so often from him in the past.The Patriots were never out of this game and even down to the wire people believed Brady could still pull off the comeback. He almost did if not for a failed Hail Mary at the end of the game. He truly is the best quarterback in football but that dropped pass in the first half that went off the tip of his fingers might haunt him for a while. — Tyler Matakevich wants to prove he can handle the job. Jon Bostic just wants to be on the field.
Matakevich and Bostic are competing for Pittsburgh’s opening at inside linebacker after the Steelers did not use a draft pick on the position. The winner gets to start alongside veteran Vince Williams and an opportunity to help fill the massive void left by Ryan Shazier, who is out for the season while recovering from spinal stabilization surgery.
“What happened to Ryan was terrible,” Matakevich said. “But that was an opportunity that not too many guys get, to step in and really step up.”
The Steelers signed Bostic to a two-year contract in March to provide veteran depth at inside linebacker after Shazier got hurt last December at Cincinnati.
“I told (coach Mike Tomlin) that when I came in, I’m coming in to compete,” Bostic said. “I would like to not come off the field and going forward, I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure that happens.”
The Steelers gave Matakevich and Bostic a vote of confidence when they opted not to select an inside linebacker in April’s draft.
“Whether they (selected a linebacker or not), I would have the same mentality,” Matakevich said. “Seeing how everything unfolded, it definitely gives you a little boost knowing that they believe in you
Adidas Joe Thornton Jersey , too.”
Matakevich, a 2016 seventh-round pick, has played in 31 games with the Steelers. While he hasn’t made any starts on defense, his impact has been felt on special teams, particularly last season.
Matakevich blocked two punts, including one that was recovered for a touchdown. He also broke up a pass on a fake punt by Minnesota.
Matakevich took the majority of the first-team snaps during spring workouts, but he and Bostic have shared the starting role during training camp practices.
The well-traveled Bostic is currently on his fifth team, having also played with Chicago, New England, Detroit and Indianapolis. He said it doesn’t matter where he practices, as long as he’s on the field.
“To be honest, it’s important to get the reps
Authentic Harrison Phillips Jersey ,” said Bostic, who was Chicago’s second-round pick in 2013. “Regardless of whatever (group) you’re running on the field, I still have to earn my job.”
Bostic spent 2017 in Indianapolis, finishing with 97 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in 14 games before a knee injury ended his season.
Matakevich battled a shoulder injury last season, initially getting hurt against Kansas City in October. He left a December game against Cincinnati and was inactive the next week against Baltimore before finishing out the season and undergoing shoulder surgery following the Steelers’ playoff loss to Jacksonville.
“It definitely held me back, playing pretty much the whole year with one arm,” Matakevich said. “It’s hard enough with two, but it’s definitely a little harder with one.”
Now, there isn’t anything holding Matakevich back. The same goes for Bostic.
“When we’re out there, we’re competing against each other, but we’re making the defense better
Edwin Encarnacion Jersey ,” Bostic said. “When the defense is better, the team is better, and at the end of the day, we just have to make sure we get better on our side of the ball.”
NOTES: Tomlin said OLB Bud Dupree has a concussion. … WR Antonio Brown missed his fourth practice and is considered day to day. … CB Joe Haden, CB Brian Allen, OL Chukwuma Okorafor, OLB T.J. Watt, TE Vance McDonald and CB Coty Sensabaugh all missed Saturday’s practice. … WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster couldn’t finish the workout.
.
