ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Carson who? UA product Nick Foles leads Eagles to Super Bowl

Jan 21, 2018, 7:46 PM | Updated: 8:08 pm

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles throws during the first half of the NFL football NFC cha...

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles throws during the first half of the NFL football NFC championship game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

When quarterback Carson Wentz went down for the NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles with three games left in the regular season, the media and fans alike counted the Eagles out. In many minds, they were no longer a threat to make a postseason run.

Even when backup quarterback and Arizona Wildcat product Nick Foles led Philadelphia to two wins the following two weeks to secure the team’s playoff spot, it didn’t lead to much more belief in the Eagles.

Now the critics, analysts and fans have no choice.

Foles and Philadelphia are for real.

After two playoff wins, including a 38-7 NFC Championship victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, they’re headed for the Super Bowl to face Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Foles completed 26-of-33 passes (79 percent) for 352 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers in the win. He’s one of five quarterbacks to throw for at least 350 yards, three touchdowns without an interception in a conference championship game, joining Brady, Matt Ryan, John Elway and Peyton Manning.

Through three career playoff games — one outing for Philadelphia in 2013 plus two games this year — Foles has gone 72-of-96 (75 percent), averaged 8.3 yards per attempt and thrown five touchdowns to no interceptions.

Foles got going early, running Philadelphia’s offense to perfection. He made touch throws, completed quick passes under pressures from blitzes and in the third quarter put the Eagles ahead 31-7 with a perfectly-thrown ball on a 41-yard flea-flicker pass to Torrey Smith.

His first touchdown came when he stood in the pocket, reloaded a few times and found Alshon Jeffery for a 53-yard touchdown with 1:09 left in the second quarter.

That was the longest touchdown pass against the Vikings this season.

Maybe they hadn’t noticed Foles’ solid play to end the regular season, or his play in the Eagles’ 15-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round a week ago, but people were recognizing Foles’ excellence on Sunday.

The Philadelphia crowd gave Foles a nod while simultaneously trolling the Vikings’ “Skol!” chant.

Foles even became a meme.

Jeff Fisher jokes were to be had (Fisher cut Foles as coach of the Los Angeles Rams, a moment that was captured on the HBO series “Hard Knocks”).

At the end of the day, safe to say that former players, fans and analysts were impressed by Foles.

Arizona Football

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates with Noah Fifita #11 after ca...

Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Rittenberg: Arizona Wildcats’ QB room ranks 10th in nation

Led by the final Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Noah Fifita, the Arizona Wildcats' quarterback room was ranked 10th in the nation.

2 days ago

Grand Canyon forward Duke Brennan...

Vincent DeAngelis

Duke Brennan uses inspiration from family and high motor to propel GCU basketball

Grand Canyon's Duke Brennan has strong Arizona connections and comes from a family of athletes in Colt and Brent Brennan.

10 days ago

Jordan Morgan...

Arizona Sports

Arizona OL, potential 1st-round pick Jordan Morgan shows off speed at NFL Draft Combine

Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan had the opportunity to show off his speed and athleticism at the NFL Combine on Sunday.

15 days ago

Jacob Cowing...

Arizona Sports

Arizona’s Jacob Cowing shows off elite speed at NFL Scouting Combine

NFL Draft prospect Jacob Cowing from Arizona put up one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among wide receivers at the combine.

16 days ago

An empty podium is seen at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by...

David Veenstra

What to watch for: 2024 NFL Scouting Combine schedule, preview and more

The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week in Indianapolis. Here's a complete guide for college and professional fans across Arizona.

21 days ago

Quarterback Jayden de Laura #7 prepares for a game at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Tucson...

Tom Kuebel

Former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura declares for NFL Draft

Jayden de Laura declared for the NFL Draft and will forego his fifth season of college football eligibility.

25 days ago

Carson who? UA product Nick Foles leads Eagles to Super Bowl