NFL
5 Super Bowl LII X-Factors for the Eagles and Patriots
Can Nelson Agholor rekindle his efficient play with Nick Foles when it matters most? And how can the Patriots evade the stingy Eagles' defense?

Nick Foles' Boom-or-Bust Performances

It's not often that you can call a starting quarterback in the Super Bowl a potential x-factor, but that's what we have with Nick Foles.

If we look solely at the games in which Foles attempted at least 12 passes, he's been, well, pretty phenomenal, according to our New York Giants (23rd in pass defense by our metrics), Oakland Raiders (31st), Atlanta Falcons (18th), and Minnesota Vikings (2nd). But New England ranked 22nd this year and 26th since Week 15.

Of course, we can't just entirely overlook his Week 16 outing, when he lost 0.28 expected points per drop back. And in his four other appearances, he lost 7.43 expected points on 27 attempts (-0.28 per drop back).

In summation, Good Foles (8.42 yards per attempt and 0.50 Passing NEP per drop back in Week 15 plus the playoffs) could lead the Philadelphia Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl.

Bad Foles (5.48 yards per attempt and -0.28 Passing NEP per drop back) from the other appearances would likely lead to a one-sided game come Sunday.

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