NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Each NFL team’s out of nowhere season

By Randy Gurzi

15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19.
15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19. /
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Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Foles to the rescue

In 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles were one of the most exciting teams in the entire NFL. Second-year quarterback Carson Wentz was coming into his own as a leader for the team and was a favorite for the NFL MVP award. After going 7-9 as a rookie, the No. 2 overall pick out of North Dakota State guided the Eagles to an 11-2 start.

In those 13 games, he completed 60 percent of his attempts for 3,296 yards with an impressive 33 touchdowns against only seven picks. Then, disaster struck, as Wentz tore his ACL in Week 14 and it felt like all hope was lost.

Philadelphia turned things over to Nick Foles, who was a starter for them back in 2013 and 2014 before spending the next two seasons with the then-St. Louis Rams followed by the Kansas City Chiefs. Foles returned in 2017 to give them a trusty backup and the move paid off immensely.

Foles came in and kept things rolling, as he had 537 yards with five touchdowns while going 2-1 to end the season. Then in the playoffs, he really lit things up. Foles had 971 yards through the air while completing 72.6 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and just one pick.

He led the Eagles all the way to the Super Bowl and even won the MVP in that game, as he outdueled Tom Brady of the New England Patriots in Minneapolis.

The backup had 373 yards and three touchdowns in that game and even caught a touchdown pass on the famous ‘Philly Special’ play that helped decide the game. This season shocked fans, as they ended up going from a team looking defeated following Wentz’s injury, to one celebrating their first-ever Super Bowl victory.

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