Eagles and Patriots Combined Team

On Sunday February 4th, the Philadelphia Eagles are taking on the New England Patriots for the chance to be named the Super Bowl champions in Minneapolis.  These teams have been the best two outfits in the NFL this season, but what if you could combine their respective rosters to create an ultimate Super Bowl starting lineup?  Well I have done just that, enjoy!

OFFENSE

QB - Tom Brady (NE)
If Carson Wentz was healthy then this would have undoubtedly been a tougher decision, but Brady is the GOAT and Nick Foles most definitely isn't.

RB - Jay Ajayi (PHI)
Dion Lewis pushed Ajayi close for this spot but I felt the London born half-back's power gave him the edge, despite his fumble issues.

WR - Alshon Jeffery (PHI)
The former Bears wideout has come up big for the Eagles in the important moments this year and I feel he can continue his streak of clutch catches in the most important game of all.

WR - Brandin Cooks (NE)
I was tempted to put Danny "Playoff" Amendola in this slot but I felt Cooks' ability to go vertical and stretch the field was too much to ignore.

TE - Rob Gronkowski (NE)
Gronk might just be the greatest tight end of all time and, although Zach Ertz is an elite player, there was no way that this spot wasn't going to him.

Flex - Zach Ertz (PHI)
There were quite a few players I could have given the flex title to (Amendola, Lewis and Agholor to name a few) but Ertz was one of the most consistent tight ends in the NFL this season and deserves a starting role.

LT - Nate Solder (NE)
Vaitai has been solid for the Eagles since coming in to replace Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters but Solder edges this one, just.

LG - Joe Thuney (NE)
A tough decision again but I think Thuney's athleticism gives him the upper hand over Wisniewski. 

C - Jason Kelce (PHI)
The older Kelce brother has been one of the best centre's in the league this year and was even given an award by Pro Football Focus for his performance in 2017, he was an obvious choice for this spot.

RG - Brandon Brooks (PHI)
The Pro Bowl guard had no competition here.

RT - Lane Johnson (PHI)
Probably the best right tackle in the NFL, simple as that.


DEFENSE

DE - Brandon Graham (PHI)
Graham had a career high 9.5 sacks this year and is the best edge rusher on either team.

DE - Trey Flowers (NE)
Almost all of the Patriots pass rush comes from this man and he'll be hoping to make Foles uncomfortable in the Super Bowl.

DT - Fletcher Cox (PHI)
After Aaron Donald, I'd say Cox is the next best interior D-linemen in the league and will be key to bringing the inside pressure on Brady on Sunday night.

DT - Timmy Jernigan (PHI)
This was close for me as Malcolm Brown has also had a very good year for the Pats, but the former Ravens player is a great compliment to Fletcher Cox.

LB - Nigel Bradham (PHI)
A solid linebacker and a good leader, he gets a spot as much due to lack of competition as he does on performance.

LB - Kyle Van Noy (NE)
Van Noy has stepped up in Hightower's absence and had an reasonably impressive season for New England.

LB - Mychal Kendricks (PHI)
After beating his brother's Vikings team in the NFC Championship, this playmaker will look to cause even more havoc in the big game.

CB - Stephon Gilmore (NE)
Despite a slow start to his Patriots career, Gilmore proved he was worth the money over the second half of the year and has also been playing well in the playoffs so far.

CB - Jalen Mills (PHI)
Mills has taken a huge leap forward over the past 12 months and has had a few key interceptions this season, as well as a lot of important tackles.

S - Malcolm Jenkins (PHI)
The veteran safety is top class both on and off the field.  

S - Devin McCourty (NE)
Arguably the Patriots' best defensive player.


SPECIAL TEAMS

KR - Dion Lewis (NE)
This guy just makes plays whenever the ball is in his hand.

PR - Danny Amendola (NE)
Did you really think I was going to leave him out?

K - Jake Elliott (PHI)
As good as Gostkowski is, the Eagles rookie has made some huge kicks this season (remember that 61 yard winner against the Giants?).

P - Donnie Jones (PHI)
Jones gets the nod over Allen.

ST - Matthew Slater (NE)
The best special teamer in the NFL, nuff said.