Who Played in Super Bowl 52? Eagles vs Patriots

By Sarah Miller · February 13, 2027

The two teams that played in Super Bowl 52 were the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. The game took place on February 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Philadelphia Eagles won their first Super Bowl title with a final score of 41–33.

Overview of Super Bowl 52

Super Bowl 52 was a historic showdown between the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles and the AFC champion New England Patriots. It marked the Eagles' third Super Bowl appearance and the Patriots' tenth, highlighting Tom Brady's dominance in the NFL era. The game is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and highest-scoring Super Bowls in history.

Key Highlights

First Super Bowl win for the Philadelphia Eagles franchise.
Tom Brady set a Super Bowl record with 505 passing yards.
Nick Foles became the first quarterback to throw and catch a touchdown pass in Super Bowl history.
The combined 74 total points made it the second-highest scoring Super Bowl at the time.
Head coach Doug Pederson's bold play-calling, including the famous "Philly Special," defined the game.

Team Profiles: Eagles vs. Patriots

Both teams entered Super Bowl 52 with contrasting narratives but elite-level performance throughout the season.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles finished the 2017 regular season with a 13–3 record, securing the top seed in the NFC. Quarterback Carson Wentz led the team to a strong start before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 14. Nick Foles stepped in and delivered a heroic playoff run, culminating in his Super Bowl MVP performance.

New England Patriots

The Patriots finished 13–3 as well, winning the AFC East and advancing through the playoffs with wins over the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. Led by Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, they were aiming for their sixth Super Bowl title, which would have tied them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most all-time.

Super Bowl 52 Game Statistics

Statistic	Philadelphia Eagles	New England Patriots
Final Score	41	33
Total Yards	538	613
Passing Yards	373	505
Rushing Yards	165	108
Turnovers	1	2
Time of Possession	34:08	25:52
Third Down Efficiency	6/12	9/15

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that while the Patriots outgained the Eagles in total and passing yards, Philadelphia controlled the clock and minimized mistakes. Their efficient rushing attack and crucial red-zone conversions were key to victory. Despite Brady’s record-setting performance, the Patriots’ defense struggled to contain Foles and the Eagles’ balanced offense.

Most Valuable Player: Nick Foles

Nick Foles was named Super Bowl MVP after completing 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also caught a one-yard touchdown pass on the "Philly Special" trick play, a moment now etched in NFL lore. Foles joined Joe Namath and Troy Aikman as the only quarterbacks to win both a Super Bowl and a college national championship.

Legacy and Impact

Super Bowl 52 solidified Nick Foles as a Philadelphia legend and marked a turning point for the Eagles franchise. For the Patriots, it ended a streak of three consecutive Super Bowl appearances with mixed results. The game also demonstrated the evolving offensive nature of the NFL, with high-powered passing attacks taking center stage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Super Bowl 52

Who won Super Bowl 52?

The Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl 52 by defeating the New England Patriots 41–33. It was the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

Where was Super Bowl 52 held?

Super Bowl 52 was played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on February 4, 2018.

Who was the MVP of Super Bowl 52?

Nick Foles, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, was named Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching a touchdown pass.

What was the "Philly Special"?

The "Philly Special" was a trick play executed just before halftime, where the Eagles lined up for a field goal but snapped the ball to running back Corey Clement, who lateraled to tight end Trey Burton, who threw a one-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles.