Super Bowl LII: Eagles take it!
The Philadelphia Eagles defeat the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
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Super Bowl showdown: economic boost or no?
A New York Times article that declares that Minneapolis-St. Paul won't see the big economic windfall from the Super Bowl that its hosts thought it would probably isn't that big of a surprise to the hosts. That's pretty much why details of deals between the NFL and host cities are kept fairly secret. -
St. Paul rec league coach surprised with Super Bowl tickets
"I'm crying with joy right now," said Leo Jackson, a Jimmy Lee Recreation Center coach who grew up in the neighborhood and is known for inspiring neighborhood kids on and off the field. -
19 below wind chills for Super Bowl? Really?
We knew it would be cold, but the National Weather Service's latest forecast is brutal for Super Bowl Sunday in Minneapolis. -
Super Bowl ads aim for the heart -- and sometimes lower
The goal for advertisers this year? Simply drawing attention, even if an ad offends some people. -
A week of traffic woes: What commuters should know for the Super Bowl
Commuters and others looking to get around the Twin Cities this week leading up to the Super Bowl should keep a few things in mind. -
Looking for the Superb Owl? It's right here in Minnesota
Searches spike this time of year for a certain fowl typo. Luckily, Minnesota is ground zero for both the Super Bowl and superb owls. -
Let’s make Monday a national holiday
The chances are pretty good that you're going to skip work next Monday, the day after the Super Bowl in Minneapolis. The flu outbreak is good for something; it gives us a believable excuse. -
But enough about the game, tells us about ourselves
Super Bowl, Shmooper Bowl. Let's face it: We just want to hear the national media tell us about ourselves. How do you like us? Are we nice or what? Aren't we something about the way we live in this cold place and don't get fazed by 8 inches of snow and our kids being stuck on school buses until midnight? -
MSP's runway parking lot and other must-know Super Bowl transportation tips
Whether moving around the Twin Cities by bus, car or private jet, we've got you covered. -
The Tom Brady throw no one wanted to catch
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shared the story of the first time he tried chewing tobacco while fishing with his uncles in Minnesota. It did not go well -- but they did catch a lot of fish. -
Federal officials on the lookout for fake sports merch
Some of the telltale signs of fake NFL items include jerseys without a universal product code, or U.P.C., rip-off holograms, misspelled words and poor stitching. -
Activists highlight the poor as rich party at Super Bowl
Activists say the Super Bowl represents the pinnacle of corporate greed with its expensive ticket prices, lavish parties and exclusive dinners. -
Photos: Here's what people will be eating at the Super Bowl
From wild rice bratwursts to walleye chowder, fans attending the Super Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis this Sunday are getting a taste of the Bold North. -
U.S. Bank Stadium gets a makeover before the Super Bowl
U.S. Bank Stadium has been all but scrubbed of any traces of the Vikings, and it sports upgrades of everything from the turf to the security at the gate. -
Minnesotans get on their Super Bowl side hustle
There's lots of money to be made in Minneapolis this weekend even if you can't catch a football. -
Beau Allen would love to hang out, but he's got a Super Bowl to play
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle is back on his home turf this week for Super Bowl 52. The Minnetonka native is fielding lots of calls from friends and family to swing by. But his Sunday is booked. -
Super Super Bowl economic impact? Depends who you ask
The much-debated economic boost from the Super Bowl may fall well short of the hype — both for individual businesses and the region as a whole. -
I'm not ready for some football: Plan your Minnesota Super Bowl escape
Want to avoid the Super Bowl hoopla this week? Here's your guide to escaping the metro. Go have that winter adventure, Minnesota. -
It's the best week to spot celebs in the Twin Cities
Yes, it's probably shallow to actively stargaze. But it's also kind of fun because Minnesota doesn't normally play host to this many celebrities all at once. -
So you’re a Bob Dylan fan visiting Minnesota: Five must-see stops
Here are five stops to make if you’re a Dylan fanatic (or, OK, just a fan) hanging out in the North Country. -
Security officials outline their plan for the Super Bowl
Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo noted the security appears "robust", but it's necessary to keep the game safe and welcoming. He also thanked police officers from all over Minnesota who stepped forward. -
Will drivers be Uber busy giving Lyfts? Not so far
The tens of thousands of Super Bowl visitors will need lots of rides. Uber and Lyft drivers are eager, optimistic, but still waiting for demand to accelerate. -
Mothers hope to shine NFL spotlight on police violence
The Take a Knee Conference aims to raise awareness of racism and other issues. -
Guess who's coming to dinner? 'Tonight Show' host Jimmy Fallon
Late night host Jimmy Fallon is in the mood for an authentic Minnesota home-cooked meal. Please do not offer him grape salad. -
The Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee's Legacy Fund on Thursday presented a $220,000 check to Anwatin Middle School in Minneapolis. The money will pay for a new athletic field and vegetable garden.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told a crowd of cheering students and teachers that the gift to the school will pay for initiatives the league supports.
"So that's why we want to focus on what's important to us, which is physical activity and fun. And that's where your new field is going to come in. We want to talk about great nutrition and taking care of yourself and that's where your new garden comes in."The grant to Anwatin marks the end of the host committee's 52 weeks of giving campaign. Grants totalling 5-point-5 million were awarded over the past year, raised from private contributions.— Brandt Williams -
Timberlake rules out 'N Sync reunion at Super Bowl show
Timberlake ruled out any chance his former boy band 'N Sync would join him Sunday or other potential special guests would show up. -
Sports talk jocks rock the Mall of America
Mall-goers can stand and gawk as sports talk radio hosts spend their days talking to current NFL players. -
In defense of Eagles fans ... sort of
The bad boy fans of football started arriving in Minneapolis and yes, the city is still standing. So far. -
In sting operation, man allegedly offered passes to Super Bowl Live in exchange for sex
A prostitution sting operation has netted at least two dozen people in Hennepin County. Law enforcement officials say the multi-jurisdictional task force was formed to crack down on Super Bowl sex trafficking. -
Justin Timberlake invites the Revolution to headline his party at Paisley Park
Although the main platform in the soundstage at Prince’s complex was outfitted with gear all night, Timberlake never set foot on it, even when addressing the crowd; instead, he opted to mingle with his guests and blend in with the crowd, becoming just another in a sea of fans who danced and sang along with the night’s surprise headliner, the Revolution. -
What a fumble: 'Jeopardy!' contestants don't know a thing about football
Here was the $1,000 clue. What's the answer?
"As Minneapolis' U.S. Bank Stadium prepares to host Super Bowl 52, I'm looking at the ring of honor, with names from this defensive line that took the Vikings to four Super Bowls."
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Prince is gone, but his spirit lives at Minnesota Super Bowl
"People joke, 'Can we just have a Prince hologram?'" said Mike Howard, spokesperson for the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee. -
Prince crushes Frosty in battle of Super Bowl halftimes with Minnesotans
Minnesota has taken center stage in two halftime shows, when Prince headlined in 2007 and when Minneapolis hosted the whole thing in 1992. You can guess which one tops many "best of" lists. -
Photos: Super Bowl draws kids, grandmas and everyone else to the party
It's not just celebrities enjoying the downtown vibe. Minnesotans are welcoming thousands of people to the state for the big game. Our photographers went out to check out who's joining in the fun. -
Eagles have the right formula to upset Patriots
Mychal Kendricks #95 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during Super Bowl LII practice on February 2, 2018 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Philadelphia Eagles will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII on February 4th. BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — The best formula for success against the New England Patriots is to keep Tom Brady on the sideline and harass him when he's on the field.
That's not a news flash. But the good news for Eagles fans and everyone rooting against Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots in Sunday's Super Bowl is that Philadelphia has the ingredients to do it.
The Eagles (15-3) have a multidimensional, ball-control offense capable of chewing the clock and forcing No. 12 to be a spectator.
Jay Ajayi, former Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement led the NFL's third-best rushing offense and the Eagles were first in time of possession.
"You have to stay patient and diligent there," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. "That's something we've been able to do all season long. It's something we stay committed to."
This isn't an old-school, ground-and-pound offense, either.
The Eagles have a versatile passing attack with several receivers who create matchup problems. Carson Wentz threw for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdown passes before he tore his ACL in Week 14 and Nick Foles has eight TD passes, including playoffs.
Foles proved in the NFC championship game he can make quick-strike plays with three passes of 40-plus yards against the league's top-ranked defense. Two of those were TD tosses of 53 yards to Alshon Jeffery and 41 yards to Torrey Smith.
Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz and slot receiver Nelson Agholor are other options. Tight end Trey Burton, who also lines up at fullback in certain short-yardage situations, had five TD catches this season.
"You can't just stop one guy," Patriots safety Devin McCourty said. "You can't go out there and say, 'if we just limit Jeffery or if we just limit Ertz that won't matter.' They have a lot of different guys out there that can beat you."
Foles has been adept at making the right calls on run-pass option plays, making it even more difficult for defenses facing Philadelphia.
"It's hard because you have to defend every inch of the field," McCourty said. "Each guy has to do their job on the play. We can't have guys doing things that don't fit the defense."
On the opposite side of the ball, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has an aggressive unit. Nobody runs on Philadelphia's defense. It was No. 1 against the run and didn't allow a 100-yard rusher until Ezekiel Elliott had 103 in Week 17 against backups and third-stringers.
The Patriots (15-3) rely mainly on Brady's arm, even though Dion Lewis had 896 yards rushing and James White was a Super Bowl hero last year. But Brady can't throw if he doesn't have time and the Eagles have a dominant front four led by Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham.
The line often generates enough pressure that Schwartz doesn't have to blitz much and there's enough depth with Chris Long, Vinny Curry, Tim Jernigan and Beau Allen that guys stay fresh in the fourth quarter.
Safety Malcolm Jenkins is a physical presence in the secondary and cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills are solid cover guys.
"They have a great defense," Brady said. "It's as good any we've faced all year. They have a great scheme that mixes in well with their coverages."
If the game comes down to a field goal, rookie kicker Jake Elliott has a strong leg. He kicked a 61-yarder at the end of regulation to beat the Giants in Week 3 and is 6 of 7 from beyond 50 yards.
The Eagles shouldn't be tight and they're not intimidated by the Patriots. They're a loose, relaxed group that has embraced their underdog role throughout the playoffs and overcame injuries to several key players.
"Greatest quarterback of all time, but that doesn't mean that he's unbeatable," Jenkins said of Brady. "We're not worried. We match up well."
- Associated Press
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Brady and numbers point to another Patriots Super Bowl win
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with Brandin Cooks #14 during the New England Patriots practice on February 2,2018 at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.The New England Patriots will play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII on February 4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Even if numbers occasionally lie, most of them indicate the New England Patriots are in great position to hoist a sixth Lombardi Trophy.
The reasons begin in the only place they could: with Tom Brady.
Yes, at 40 years old Brady would be the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl if the Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He would dethrone Peyton Manning, who won at age 39 with the Denver Broncos to cap the 2015 season.
Brady has put up numbers in his 18th season unmatched by any player in NFL history. He led the league with 4,577 yards passing during the regular season and his five touchdown passes are tied for the most in the playoffs.
Brady's seven Super Bowl appearances are as many as the entire Eagles roster. He's faced a myriad of difficult scenarios in the championship game, including last year's 25-point hole the Patriots dug out of to beat the Falcons.
Brady won that one without tight end Rob Gronkowski, who will be in uniform after being cleared late this week.
Close games have been no problem , for Brady and coach Bill Belichick either. The total difference in scoring in those seven games is 12 points: Patriots 169, opponents 157.
You want to talk about comebacks? No player in the Super Bowl era has more fourth-quarter comebacks in the playoffs in his career than Brady's eight. It's probably why Brady chuckled this week when he was again asked about how long he wanted to keep playing.
"Why does everyone want me to retire so bad?" Brady said. "I don't get it. I'm having fun. The team's doing good. I know I'm a little bit older than most of the guys, but I'm really enjoying it. ... I'm not thinking about retirement. I'm thinking about the Super Bowl and trying to win the most important game of the year."
As big as the Brady factor is, he's not the only advantage New England has.
The Patriots lost go-to receiver Julian Edelman in the preseason to a knee injury and linebacker Dont'a Hightower to a season-ending shoulder injury in October. After some early-season struggles, Belichick found a way to plug the holes, with contributions from several previously unheralded players like Trey Flowers, Kyle Van Noy, Lawrence Guy and Ricky Jean Francois .
New England has also gotten a strong season from receiver Brandin Cook after acquiring him from New Orleans this offseason. He posted his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season (1,082) and was second on the team in receiving yards behind only Gronkowski (1,084). Running back Dion Lewis has also found new life just two seasons removed from a knee injury. He led the team with 896 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns.
It's underlined the football savvy of Belichick, who with a sixth Super Bowl victory would pass Vince Lombardi and tie George Halas and Curly Lambeau for most NFL championships by a coach.
Belichick will be taking part in his 11th Super Bowl as a head coach or assistant, the most among any coach in NFL history. That amounts to 21.2 percent of all Super Bowls in league history and 34.4 percent of all Super Bowls since his first appearance as the Giants defensive coordinator in 1986.
Though there have been reports of alleged friction this season between Belichick, Brady and team owner Robert Kraft, it's clear they are on the same page when it comes to the pursuit of championships.
"It changes every year. The venues are different, the teams are different, the matchups are different, and the road the team has traveled to get here is different, as is the road your opponent has traveled," Belichick said. "Each one is unique. Each one's special."
- Associated Press -
Prayers are fine, but God probably doesn't care who wins
There's sure to be lots of praying this weekend on both sides of the pigskin. But does God favor the Eagles or the Phillies? -
Temporary Super Bowl service shows longer-term need for homeless
Leaders at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis said a temporary Super Bowl week service for the homeless has exposed a longer-term need.
The church opened a room this week for people to store belongings during the day. The church is also providing coffee and bag lunches.
Senior Pastor Tim Hart-Andersen said many people can't carry bags around the city as usual because of increased Super Bowl security.
"That will change next week. But the fact that there are people who are cold and on the street and vulnerable will not change," Hart-Andersen said. "So they may -- having found Westminster a hospitable place, they may come back next week."
Hart-Andersen said the church will likely maintain the service next week to see if demand continues. If it does, he said Westminster may continue the program.
- Solvejg Wastvedt