Super Bowl LII: The latest

 

Updated: 8:50 a.m.

 

Nick Foles threw for three touchdowns and the Philadelphia Eagles made big play after big play Sunday night, winning the NFC title in a stunning 38-7 rout of the Minnesota Vikings.

Next up: the Eagles’ first Super Bowl appearance since 2005, against the team that beat them then, AFC champion New England.

Foles was on fire, throwing for 352 yards in a performance that might make the Philadelphia faithful miss injured Carson Wentz a whole lot less.

Patrick Robinson ‘s spectacular 50-yard interception return got Philadelphia (15-3) started. Then Foles and his offense tore up the league’s stingiest scoring defense, with long TD throws to Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith.

LeGarrette Blount had an 11-yard scoring run when things were decided in the first half, and the Eagles were headed to an NFL title game the Vikings (14-4) hoped to be in at their own stadium.

Nick Foles stood tall in the pocket, ignored the pressure and made one big throw after another.

On the biggest stage of his life, Foles silenced the critics who thought the Eagles couldn’t get to the Super Bowl without MVP candidate Carson Wentz. 

Now he’s headed to Minnesota to face Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Ecstatic Eagles fans take to the streets

Following the game, fans poured onto the streets of Philadelphia.

As John Heck made his way out of Lincoln Financial Field, he was ecstatic, if a little surprised.

“Are you kidding me? Who expected something like that to happen?” he said.

Earlier Sunday morning, Philadelphia police greased lamp posts on Broad Street with Crisco in an attempt to prevent celebrating fans from climbing on them — to little avail.

Yet, despite concerns from city officials that Eagles fans would take their victory laps too far Sunday night, the jubilant, if rowdy crowds remained peaceful as they cheered and chanted from Center City to Northeast Philly.

Bobby Maier was among those at Frankford and Cottman Avenues in Mayfair, where fireworks and chanting spontaneously erupted for more than two hours after the game ended.

Maier said this team is special.

“They just keep coming after injuries. They keep getting up and keep fighting,” he said. “That’s the Philly mentality. It’s us against the world almost.”

While thousands partied in the streets of Philadelphia, others celebrated by going out and buying Eagles Super Bowl swag that was already hitting store shelves moments after the team became NFC champions.

Mya Farmer walked out of a memorabilia store in Runnemede, New Jersey with a championship t-shirt, socks, and a toothbrush.

“It’s a child’s toothbrush, but it’s an Eagles toothbrush — it doesn’t matter,” she said.

Steve Chapman said he believes this is a team destined to win — even against the New England Patriots.

“They’ve been going to the Super Bowl how many years now?” Chapman said of the Patriots. “They are going to mess up one year. This is the year.”