Super Bowl LII sees the No. 1 seeds from the AFC and NFC - the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles - face off in Minnesota for the right to call themselves the NFL's king for the next calendar year.
Few would argue that the Patriots and Eagles boast two of the NFL's most talented rosters, but which Super Bowl contender has the advantage in key categories? Let's find out.
Quarterback
Even at 40 years old, Tom Brady is still among the league's best quarterbacks. And while his play toward the end of the regular season was worrisome (six picks over the last six games) the likely 2017 MVP has turned it back on in the postseason. He tossed 53 passes against the Tennessee Titans and torched the vaunted Jacksonville Jaguars defense to the tune of 290 yards and two touchdowns. The old man's still got it.
On the opposite sideline is Nick Foles, who's building one of the most unusual careers in NFL history. From a backup to a one-year wonder and back again, seemingly for good, only for fate to throw another curveball with Carson Wentz's injury forcing Foles back into the limelight. The Eagles' veteran pivot had one of his best performances ever in the NFC Championship Game, but Philadelphia is likely hoping the Super Bowl doesn't come down to Foles' arm.
Advantage: Patriots
Running Backs
Maybe the most talent-rich position across the two teams, both the Patriots and Eagles could easily take this category.
For New England, it starts with Dion Lewis, who excelled in a feature-back role late in the season after a career primarily spent as a pass-catcher and third-down specialist - a role now filled by James White with the Patriots. White's impressive scoring output has continued this postseason. The scatback has three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and has caught seven passes. He'll likely be one of Brady's top weapons to counter Philadelphia's aggressive front seven. Lastly for New England is Rex Burkhead, who's battled injuries in his first season with the team but is perhaps the most well-rounded runner on the roster.
Jay Ajayi sits atop the Eagles' depth chart following a midseason trade from the Miami Dolphins. He's a strong in-between-the-tackles runner, but lacks home-run speed and, at times, has struggled with ball security. A familiar face for New England - LeGarrette Blount - backs up Ajayi. The bruiser scored 18 rushing touchdowns for the Patriots last season, so they know the kind of impact he can have in the red zone and in short-yardage situations. Finally, Corey Clement rounds out the Eagles' backfield. The rookie wasn't used as much as a runner after Ajayi was acquired, but he has good receiving skills and agility.
It's close, but the Eagles take this one on the back of their runners' slightly more varied skill sets.
Advantage: Eagles
Receivers
New England's passing game revolves around star tight end Rob Gronkowski, and for good reason - he's one of the league's most unstoppable weapons.
Brandin Cooks isn't quite the game-changer the Patriots likely thought they were trading a first-round pick for in the offseason, but his rare speed must be respected at all times. Danny Amendola isn't on the level of Julian Edelman or Wes Welker, but he's the nearest thing New England has right now, and his ability to come through in the clutch is invaluable.
Meanwhile, Alshon Jeffery is the Eagles' go-to man, especially in the red zone. Zach Ertz is perhaps the league's best non-Gronk tight end, and Nelson Agholor finally clicked this season while working mostly from the slot.
The Patriots and Eagles are fairly evenly matched in terms of offensive weapons, but Gronkowski is the ultimate scale-tipper.
Advantage: Patriots
Offensive Line
Brady has enjoyed some elite offensive lines over his 18 years in the NFL; this year's version isn't one of them.
The veteran was sacked 35 times this season compared to just 15 in 2016 (albeit in four fewer games). The line has improved of late, however, holding up against the Jaguars' athletic front seven. Whether they can do so again against Fletcher Cox and Co. remains a question mark, as consistency has been an issue for the unit all campaign long.
The Eagles likely feel the most confident in their advantage up front more than in any other area. Right tackle Lane Johnson and center Jason Kelce were arguably the best players at their respective positions this year, and their elite athleticism gives Philadelphia the license to run plays other teams can't. Halapoulivaati Vaitai - who replaced the injured Jason Peters - is the lone weak spot on the line, but the Eagles have done a solid job of protecting the young left tackle.
Philadelphia takes this one handily.
Advantage: Eagles
Defensive Front Seven
Cox is a monster in the middle of the Eagles' defensive line, a true game-wrecker in both run and pass defense. Containing the Pro Bowl defensive tackle is likely keeping Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels up at night.
And Cox is just the tip of the iceberg, as Philadelphia owns one of the league's deepest front sevens. Brandon Graham doesn't have gaudy sack numbers, but he's consistently among the top pressure-creating rushers; Timmy Jernigan is the Robin to Cox's Batman; while Chris Long and rookie Derek Barnett bring experience and athleticism to the group. Elsewhere, the underrated Nigel Bradham has kept the linebacking corps ticking following the loss of Jordan Hicks in October.
The Patriots sorely miss linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who was not only the defensive leader but one of the few difference-makers on the front seven. Trey Flowers is by far New England's best pass-rusher, but he's unlikely to trouble the Eagles' dominant offensive line without help, maybe from James Harrison.
In short, Philadelphia beats out New England in terms of both quality and quantity.
Advantage: Eagles
Secondary
Neither the Eagles nor the Patriots boast a dominant secondary, but both units are more talented than the stats suggest (New England finished 30th in pass defense, Philadelphia 17th).
New England's cornerback duo of Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler should be one of the league's best, but inconsistent play from the two - especially Butler - means this isn't a strength on which New England can always rely. Safety Patrick Chung is one of the more underrated Patriots players, just ask Bill Belichick.
Malcolm Jenkins provides both veteran leadership and versatility from the safety spot, supporting an underrated cornerbacks corps of Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, and Patrick Robinson, who capped a career year with a pick-6 in the NFC Championship Game.
New England arguably has more talent, but it doesn't always show, so Philadelphia sweeps the defensive categories.
Advantage: Eagles
Special Teams
The Patriots always have a standout specials teams unit. Stephen Gostkowski remains an elite kicker despite a few issues on extra points over the last few seasons; there are only a handful of other players you'd want with the game on the line.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have rookie kicker Jake Elliott. The first-year man missed five field goals this season, but he showed off his impressive leg with a 61-yard boot in Week 2.
New England ended the regular season as the NFL's third-best special teams unit Football Outsiders' DVOA metric, while Philadelphia finished 16th.
Advantage: Patriots
Coaching
Belichick has already cemented his place as the greatest coach of all time in the eyes of some, and while the Patriots win this category (sorry to ruin the suspense), it would be a disservice to Doug Pederson to call it a landslide.
The Eagles head coach has revitalized the franchise in just two years, fixing the mess left by Chip Kelly. Pederson's development of Wentz was impressive, but how he's guided the offense under Foles, adjusting and adapting his scheme, has been one of the best coaching jobs in recent memory.
Still, Belichick stands alone on the top of the NFL coaching mountain - but underestimate Pederson at your peril.
Advantage: Patriots
