The biggest night of the year in football is always filled with the highest highs and lowest lows for fans across the nation. Sports fans from New England were feeling the lows Sunday night, and most likely still are. New England’s ~beloved~ Patriots fell into the claws of the Philadelphia Eagles, who flew into their first Super Bowl victory this past Sunday. The game was filled with touchdowns and screw-ups – and had fans on the edge of their seats up until the very last minute.
For those of us who were not anxious to see who would come out on top in the showdown of the best in the National Football League, it offered us a Justin Timberlake Halftime Show… and of course the infamous commercials.
Here’s a recap of everything that went down during the 52nd Super Bowl, from the game to JT and everything in between:
So first… the game:
The Eagles came out on top scoring a field goal early in the first quarter, but were immediately responded to by a Pats field goal. The game went back and forth in the first half, with touchdowns from Patriots player James White, and from Eagles players Alshon Jeffery and LeGarrette Blount (former Patriots star). Even Quarterback Nick Foles showed that not only could he throw touchdowns, but he could also catch them with his end of the second quarter grab to put the underdogs up 22-12 at the half.
The Patriots came back from halftime to bounce back from the L they had taken in the first thirty minutes, in an attempt to prove to the world that they are in fact a second half team. The Patriots looked as if they were on their way to stunning the world yet again as they fought their way through the third quarter and went up 33-32 in the fourth quarter (thanks to New England’s favorite goofy tight end Rob Gronkowski). The Eagles weren’t going down without a fight, and tight end Zac Ertz showed that Gronk wasn’t the only one who could make great end zone catches, and put the Birds back on top 38-33. With 2 minutes and 21 seconds left, Patriots and Eagles fans both were on the edge on their seats waiting to see if the G.O.A.T. himself would pull off yet another Super Bowl comeback in the fourth quarter. This time, however, Tom Terrific came up short when the defense stripped not only the ball away from him, but his 6th Super Bowl ring too. Not even a Hail Mary could have saved them and the dynasty went down, leaving the Eagles as the last team standing and the ~winner~ of Super Bowl 52.
Next… The Halftime Show:
Who performs during the halftime show is pretty much just as important as who plays in the game itself. From Beyoncé, to Lady Gaga, to Bruno Mars, the performers are always expected to ~slay~ and leave big shoes to fill year after year. Who else would be better to fill those shoes than with America’s first boy band love, Justin Timberlake? With some dazzling dance moves and some of our all time favorite throwbacks, can I just say that Justin certainly brought sexy back. With more back up dancers than people I know in total, JT pulled out all the stops for your typical Super Bowl show with lights, reflectors, and even a Prince tribute that, to say the least, got questionable reviews. Also, shout out to the kid who was featured in JT’s exit as they snapped a quick selfie – I wish I could be you.
There truly was something for everyone this Super Bowl Sunday, even if you’re not into football, and for some odd reason not a Timberlake fan. The commercials have plenty to offer you, and here’s a quick recap of some of my personal faves. The New York Giants did not win on the field – pretty much at all this season, actually – but they definitely won the commercial competition. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.’s rendition of Dirty Dancing was certainly on the top of the list of commercials this year. Maybe they should stick to dancing for next season!
Instead of touching people’s livers, Budweiser decided to touch our hearts for once. They revealed their humanitarian side by showing their company canning water to donate to the victims of natural disasters. They made us forget about some other disasters we might associate with their brand. Doritos and Mountain Dew came together in an epic showdown featuring Peter Dinklage as fire and Morgan Freeman as ice, in a lip-syncing battle between Doritos Blaze and Mountain Dew Ice. I have definitely seen better commercials in my years of Super Bowl viewing, but I have also definitely seen worse.
Overall, this year’s Super Bowl Sunday was one for the ages. As we look back on the evening, it is a night to hopefully forget for New England, but a night to remember for literally the rest of the country. We all swooned for JT and enjoyed the commercials… and also hoped that Philadelphia would not burn to the ground, although that might have been inevitable win or lose. If you’re a Pats fan, then dilly dilly you lost to Philly, but for the birds, Fly Eagles Fly!