With this season's Superbowl less than two weeks away there's more and more talk about Tom Brady leading his New England Patriots to a sixth championship in eighteen seasons, but it's the story of the opposition quarterback that's starting to look more intruiging.
Nick Foles is in the middle of his second stint at the Philadelphia Eagles after signing as a free agent this off-season, having been traded to the St. Louis Rams two years prior. Foles had followed up an incredible season in 2013/14 for the Eagles, in which he threw 27 regular season touchdowns and won the Pro Bowl's MVP award, with a comparatively tame return of 13 touchdowns.
A single season without much to note at both the Rams and then the Kansas City Chiefs saw him end up on as a free agent last summer, and led to him signing a two-year deal to serve as a backup to first round draft pick Carson Wentz for his old club.
With an 11-2 winning record, as well as 33 touchdowns to his name, it appeared Wentz would lead the Eagles in their tilt at Superbowl glory, but an ACL injury picked up just three games before the playoffs has opened the door for Foles to not only lead the Eagles to their first championship since 1960, but gives the 29-year-old a chance to prove those who doubted him during his first spell in Pennsylvania wrong.
Among those who aren't sold on his ability to get the job done at Superbowl 52 is The Boston Globe's Kevin Cullen, who spoke to Off The Ball's Joe Molloy on Monday night.
"The fact that Nick Foles is a backup and not a starter means that he has been in the league long enough that coaches and talent evaluators have decided that he's just not consistent enough".
Despite his lack of belief in Foles come next Sunday, Cullen was quick to admit his admiration of his performance in the 38-7 NFC Championship victory over the Minnesota Vikings, a game in which Foles completed 26 of 33 attempted passes for 352 yards, and recorded three touchdowns with zero interceptions.
"He was extraordinary. The pass he made near the end of the first half when he escaped from what looked like a sure sack and then hit Jeffrey in full stride for a touchdown for a Patriots fan was rather nightmarish. It was like remembering when Eli Manning escaped from the clutches and threw that ball to David Tyree who caught it against his head right before the Giants went on the upset the Patriots in the Superbowl the first time. That's what it reminded me of.
"But you know, will Foles be able to do it again? Statistically, historically, it says no. I actually think if Wentz did not get hurt I think the Eagles would be going into this game as favourites, but he did get hurt".
Criticism of Foles' consistency is probably fair given his streaky career, though consistency doesn't come into play when it's a one-off game. Next Sunday the Patriots will be facing a man who has shown before that on his day he has an incredibly hot hand.
In 2013 he tied the record for most TDs passes in a single game when he racked up seven against the Oakland Raiders before being withdrawn by then coach Chip Kelly in the fourth quarter, not being afforded the chance to break the NFL record. If he can produce anywhere near that form next Sunday this Super Bowl could be a memorable one.
Even though Philadelphia enter the game with slightly better statistics in both elements of the game, it's their defence that Cullen sees as their best weapon, along with their resilience in the face of adversity.
"The Eagles defence are really, really tough, and the way they played. They played with such confidence and there was no fear in there eyes".
"It's a team of overachievers, not a lot of trash talk, which is unusual for a Philly team, and they had more injuries to important players. Everybody talks about Wentz, but they lost Darren Sproles who was their energy back, their kick returner. He was a very important part of that team. They lost a number of guys, and it's been like the Patriots. It's the old adage, next man up".
"They have been able to do that, and they have played with extraordinary resilience and I've watched enough Eagles games this year to say that they are a fun team to watch, and I think it's going to be a great Superbowl. I'd really be surprised if either team pulls away from the other".
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