An underdog has his day: Eagles QB Nick Foles wins Super Bowl LII MVP

February 5, 2018 at 5:54AM
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) held his son and waved during the victory celebration after Super Bowl LII.Foles was named the game's MVP. To the left is the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ] JEFF WHEELER ï jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The New England Patriots met the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII Sunday evening, February 4, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Nick Foles vs. Tom Brady? It might have seemed like a mismatch on paper, but Foles had other ideas. Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, the backup QB led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl championship in a 41-33 victory over the Patriots. Foles completed 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards and three TDs. On the fourth-quarter drive in which the Eagles took the lead for good, 38-33, Foles went 6-for-8, hooking up with tight end Zach Ertz for a 2-yard gain on fourth-and-1, and finding Ertz for an 11-yard TD pass with 2:21 to play. "We felt confident coming in," Foles said, "and we just went out there and played football."

Past MVP winners

Super Bowl I Bart Starr, QB, Green Bay

Threw two TD passes and completed 69.5 percent of throws.

Super Bowl II Bart Starr, QB, Green Bay

Accounted for 67 percent of offense and scored a TD.

Super Bowl III Joe Namath, QB, N.Y. Jets

Guaranteed victory and finished with 206 passing yards.

Super Bowl IV Len Dawson, QB, Kansas City

Was 12-for-17, had 153 total yards and one TD.

Super Bowl V Chuck Howley, LB, Dallas

Had two INTs and a fumble recovery in losing effort.

Super Bowl VI Roger Staubach, QB, Dallas

Scored twice, went 12-for-19 and totaled 137 yards.

Super Bowl VII Jake Scott, S, Miami

Had two interceptions including one in the fourth quarter.

Super Bowl VIII Larry Csonka, FB, Miami

Had 33 of team's 53 carries for 145 yards and two TDs.

Super Bowl IX Franco Harris, RB, Pittsburgh

Rushed for 158 yards (4.65 per carry) and scored a TD.

Super Bowl X Lynn Swann, WR, Pittsburgh

Four catches for a record 161 yards and one TD.

Super Bowl XI Fred Biletnikoff, WR, Oakland

Had four catches for 79 yards.

Super Bowl XII Harvey Martin and Randy White, DL, Dallas

Led defense that forced eight turnovers.

Super Bowl XIII Terry Bradshaw, QB, Pittsburgh

Passed for 318 yards, four TDs as Steelers won third Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XIV Terry Bradshaw, QB, Pittsburgh

Passed for 309 yards, two TDs in comeback win over Rams.

Super Bowl XV Jim Plunkett, QB, Oakland

Passed for 261 yards, three TDs in victory over Eagles.

Super Bowl XVI Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco

Passed for 157 yards and a TD and rushed for a TD.

Super Bowl XVII John Riggins, RB, Washington

Rushed for 166 yards, including clinching TD on fourth-down play.

Super Bowl XVIII Marcus Allen, RB, L.A. Raiders

Had 209 total yards and two TDs, including 74-yard run.

Super Bowl XIX Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco

Outduel Dan Marino by passing for 331 and three TDs.

Super Bowl XX Richard Dent, DE, Chicago

Led dominant defense with two sacks, two forced fumbles.

Super Bowl XXI Phil Simms, QB, New York

Completed 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and three TDs.

Super Bowl XXII Doug Williams, QB, Washington

Completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and four TDs.

Super Bowl XXIII Jerry Rice, WR, San Francisco

Third WR to win MVP. Caught 11 passes for 215 yards and a TD.

Super Bowl XXIV Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco

Won his third MVP by passing for 297 yards and five TDs.

Super Bowl XXV Ottis Anderson, RB, New York

Keyed ball-control strategy with 21 carries, 102 yards and a TD.

Super Bowl XXVI Mark Rypien, QB, Washington

In Minneapolis, Rypien passed for 292 yards and two TDs.

Super Bowl XXVII Troy Aikman, QB, Dallas

Passed for 273 yards and four TDs.

Super Bowl XXVIII Emmitt Smith, RB, Dallas

Rushed 30 times for 132 yards and two TDs.

Super Bowl XXIX Steve Young, QB, San Francisco

Led rout of Chargers by passing for 325 yards and six TDs.

Super Bowl XXX Larry Brown, CB, Dallas

Two interceptions helped Cowboys win third title in four years.

Super Bowl XXXI Desmond Howard, KR, Packers

Amassed 244 all-purpose yards, including 99-yard kick return TD.

Super Bowl XXXII Terrell Davis, RB, Denver

Led Broncos to first title with 30 carries, 157 yards and three TDs.

Super Bowl XXXIII John Elway, QB, Denver

Torched Falcons with 336 yards passing and a TD.

Super Bowl XXXIV Kurt Warner, QB, St. Louis

Passed for 414 yards and two TDs in tight win over Titans.

Super Bowl XXXV Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore

Led a dominant Ravens defense that shut down the Giants.

Super Bowl XXXVI Tom Brady, QB, New England

In upset of Rams, he passed for 145 yards and a TD.

Super Bowl XXXVII Dexter Jackson, CB, Tampa Bay

Two first-half interceptions led Buccaneers to first title.

Super Bowl XXXVIII Tom Brady, QB, New England

Passed for 354 yards and three TDs to beat Panthers.

Super Bowl XXXIX Deion Branch, WR, Patriots

Caught 11 passes for 133 yards against Eagles.

Super Bowl XL Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh

Had five catches for 123 yards, including a 43-yard TD.

Super Bowl XLI Peyton Manning, QB, Colts

Finally won a Super Bowl by passing for 247 yards and a TD.

Super Bowl XLII Eli Manning, QB, N.Y. Giants

Upset unbeaten Patriots with two fourth-quarter TD passes.

Super Bowl XLIII Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers

Had nine catches for 131 yards, including winning TD with :35 left.

Super Bowl XLIV Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans

Went 32-for-39 for 288 yards and two TDs for Saints' first title.

Super Bowl XLV Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay

Passed for 304 yards, three TDs.

Super Bowl XLVI Eli Manning, QB, N.Y. Giants

Upset Patriots again by passing for 296 yards and a TD.

Super Bowl XLVII Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore

Passed for 287 yards, three TDs.

Super Bowl XLVIII Malcolm Smith, LB, Seattle

Returned interception for TD, recovered a fumble, made 10 tackles.

Super Bowl XLIX Tom Brady, QB, New England

37-of-50, 328 yards, 4 TDs

Super Bowl 50 Von Miller, LB, Denver

Had six tackles and 2.5 sacks

Super Bowl LI Tom Brady, QB, New England

Led comeback from 28-3 deficit by passing for 466 yards, two TDs.

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