In this Oct. 15, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass to during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. AP NEWSWIRE
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES OFFENSE
Nick Foles, QB
Took over for Carson Wentz after Wentz tore his ACL in December against Rams. … Played first three seasons with Eagles before returning as free agent. … Became first QB in franchise history to throw for at least 300 yards and at least 3 TDs in playoff game with 352 yards, 3 TDs in NFC championship game.
LeGarrette Blount, RB
Won Super Bowls with Patriots after 2014, 2016 seasons. … Led NFL with career-high 18 rushing TDs in 2016. … Power runner who does best work near end zone.
Jay Ajayi, RB
Acquired from Miami at trade deadline. … Became first player in NFL history to produce at least 400 rushing yards with two teams (465 yards, Miami, 408 yards, Philadelphia) in same season. … Was fourth in NFL in rushing in 2016 with 1,272 yards.
Alshon Jeffery, WR
Led Eagles with 9 TD catches in regular season despite no 100-yard games. Only two receivers (DeAndre Hopkins, Devante Adams) had more. … Spent first five seasons with Bears. … Caught 5 passes for 85 yards and 2 TDs in NFC title game.
Zach Ertz, TE
One of league’s best tight ends. Led team with 74 receptions and added 8 TDs. Had 8 catches for 93 yards in NFC championship game.
Jason Kelce, C
Went from sixth-round pick in 2011 to first All-Pro selection this season. … Dominant part of run game, can handle DTs one on one.
Lane Johnson, RT
Second All-Pro on offensive line. … Was No. 4 overall pick in 2013. … Suspended 10 games in 2016 for violating NFL’s performance-enhancers policy.
DEFENSE
Chris Long, DE
Won Super Bowl last year with Patriots. … First season with Eagles. …. Had 5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in regular season and 8 QB pressures in NFC title game. … Similar performance could help Eagles pull upset in Super Bowl. … Second overall pick in 2008 draft by Rams. … Son of Hall of Fame DL Howie Long.
Fletcher Cox, DT
Three-time Pro Bowler. … Powerful force who’s second among Eagles interior linemen with 34 sacks. … Had season-high 7 tackles and sack of Falcons’ Matt Ryan in divisional playoff win against Atlanta.
Brandon Graham, DE
Led Eagles with career-high 9½ sacks. … No. 13 pick in 2010 draft and longest-tenured member of Eagles defense. … Sacked Tom Brady twice when Eagles beat Patriots in previous meeting in 2015.
Derek Barnett, DE
Had 5 sacks in rookie season. …. Had strip-sack of Case Keenum to halt Vikings’ red zone drive in NFC title game. … First-round pick last April.
Mychal Kendricks, LB
Second on team with 77 tackles. … Has thrived under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. … Had team-high 10 tackles in NFC title game.
Dannell Ellerbe, LB
Won Super Bowl 47 with Baltimore. … Joined Eagles in November and became third middle linebacker after Jordan Hicks, Joe Walker sustained season-ending injuries. … Missed NFC title game with hamstring injury.
Ronald Darby, CB
Missed eight games because of dislocated ankle sustained in season opener. … Will face challenge trying to cover Patriots wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Danny Amendola. … Inconsistent, but when he’s on, he can handle such assignments well.
Malcolm Jenkins, S
Two-time Pro Bowler. … Key part of secondary tasked with slowing down Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski. … Had 99-yard pick-6 in previous meeting with Patriots. … Second in team history with four pick-6s, trailing Eric Allen.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS OFFENSE
Tom Brady, QB
Led NFL with 4,577 yards passing this season. … Four-time Super Bowl MVP going for sixth ring … Is 5-2 in Super Bowls … Contender for third regular-season MVP award with 32 TD passes at age 40. … If Eagles don’t bring pressure, he will pick them apart.
Dion Lewis, RB
Played first two seasons with Eagles … Missed next two seasons with injuries before joining Patriots in 2015 … Had 896 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. … One of most versatile RBs in league.
James White, RB
Set Super Bowl record with 14 receptions last year. … Also set Super Bowl record by scoring 20 points (2 rushing touchdowns, 1 touchdown reception and 2-point conversion). Scored tying and winning touchdowns against Falcons. … Solid pass-catching option out of backfield.
Brandin Cooks, WR
Acquired in trade with New Orleans. … Provides deep threat for Brady. … Second on team with 65 catches, 1,082 yards, 7 TDs.
Rob Gronkowski, TE
Had team-leading 69 receptions and 8 touchdowns. … Suffered concussion in AFC championship game. … Combination of size, strength and hands creates matchup nightmares. All-Pro who’s nearly impossible to stop with one single defender.
Nate Solder, LT
Has second-most important job on team: protecting Brady’s blindside … First-round pick in 2011, also played right tackle. … Solid contributor.
DEFENSE
Malcom Brown, DT
First-rounder in 2015 who has been solid since joining team … Missed three games, but still had 2½ sacks this season. … Takes up lots of room inside.
Trey Flowers, DE
Patriots’ best pass rusher. Led team with 6½ sacks this season after 7 in 2016. … Had team-leading 6 tackles and 2½ sacks in Super Bowl last year.
Kyle Van Noy, LB
Second-round pick by Detroit in 2014. Acquired in trade on Oct. 21, 2016. … Second on team with 5½ sacks. Began season at outside linebacker. Was asked to handle multiple roles, playing both on edge and middle of field at times.
James Harrison, LB
Won two Super Bowls with Steelers, had memorable 100-yard interception return for touchdown in Super Bowl 43. … Situational player at this point of lengthy career. Another option in passing situations. … Had 2 sacks in Pats debut in regular-season finale. … Has 6 tackles in Patriots’ postseason wins.
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Signed five-year, $65 million contract to come from Buffalo and struggled with inconsistency early on. … Made key stop on fourth down on Jags’ final drive to preserve win in AFC title game.
Malcolm Butler, CB
Still best known for interception of Russell Wilson at goal line to clinch Super Bowl win over Seattle three years ago.
Devin McCourty, S
First-round pick in 2010. … Defensive captain. … Leader of secondary. … Former cornerback who found home at safety. … Twin Jason plays for Cleveland.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
