The Eagles were the NFC’s wire-to-wire best team in the 2017 season, but they were still five-point underdogs against the Patriots with backup quarterback Nick Foles starting for an injured Carson Wentz. The Patriots were going for their second repeat with Tom Brady at QB, fresh off the epic comeback from 28-3 down to beat the Falcons in Super Bowl 51.
These new Birds were more game for the Pats, however. Philadelphia led 15-3 midway through the second quarter, but New England trimmed it to 15-12 with 2:04 left in the first half. The Eagles stepped on the gas with Foles leading them quickly down field in the two-minute drill. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 38 seconds left before halftime, the Eagles went for it, lining up Foles behind the right tackle and having backup running back Corey Clement take the direct snap from center Jason Kelce. Clement pitched it to tight end Trey Burton, who caught the Patriots off-guard with a spot-on pass to Foles in the end zone. “The Philly Special”, key to a 41-33 upset win, proved how special these Eagles were, showing their resilience and guts under coach Doug Pederson that season.
The Philly Special😤🦅
“You Want Philly Philly”#FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/1j1lRYJT70 pic.twitter.com/UKRVvWeCBf
— 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅 ♛ (@DillyPhilly215) February 4, 2026
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