Super Bowl LII was a masterpiece. Nick Foles was sensational. Tom Brady was just as good. Foles was 28-of-43 for 373 yards, 3 TDs and 1 interception that really wasn’t his fault. Alshon Jeffery was trying to pull in a deep pass by Foles that was pretty well thrown, and Jeffery, in his effort to catch the ball, tipped the ball up in the air. The pass was intercepted on the Patriots’ 1 yard line. Foles also caught the reverse handoff for a touchdown on a brilliant 4th and 1 call by Coach Doug Pederson, that may have been the play of the game along with Brandon Graham’s late sack of Brady that led to a fumble that the Eagles recovered in a 41-33 victory as the Eagles raised their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.  Foles quarterback rating was 106.1. He was the Most Valuable Player.

Brady was pretty spectacular himself completing 28-of-48 passes for 505 yards, 3 TDs and 0 ints, with a quarterback rating of 115.4. 

The Eagles will have a decision to make as Foles will want to start next season, but second year sensation Carson Wentz, who threw 33 TDs this season, will be back from a knee injury, and the Eagles probably will want to go with him. So Foles may go elsewhere. He certainly proved he’s a superior quarterback in the National Football League. Many teams would be lucky to have him.

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick aren’t going anywhere. I see 1 or 2 more Super Bowl titles in their futures. They’re too good not to get back to the Big Game. Super Bowl LIII will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on February 3,2019. The Patriots are already the early favorite to win it. But the competition is fierce. The Steelers will be back, as will some good young teams in Jacksonville and Tennessee. Oakland should be better under Jon Gruden. The Houston Texans will have Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt back, so they’ll be a factor. On the NFC side, the Falcons certainly want to play at home in the Super Bowl, the Eagles will have a stellar team again, the Vikings will need to make a decision at quarterback with Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater competing for the job, though one of them will probably leave. But they’ll have a good team. The Saints should be good again as Drew Brees and company will be back. The Cowboys should be better as Ezekiel Elliott will return for a full season to help Dak Prescott and the offense. And the Carolina Panthers and Cam will be a contender. So 2018 should be another terrific season in the National Football League. Can’t wait for it. Certainly one of the all time great Super Bowls last Sunday. 

2018 Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Courses ; Pebble Beach Golf LInks, 6,816 yards, Par 72, Spyglass Hill, 6,953 yards, Par 72 & Monterey Peninsula, 6,914, Par 71

Defending champion: Jordan Spieth, won by 4 shots over Kelly Kraft and by 5 shots over Dustin Johnson.

Last week’s winner: Gary Woodland. Woodland defeated Chez Reavie on the first playoff hole to capture the Waste Management Phoenix Open title. 

Weather: Excellent, 68-70 all weekend, wind 8-12 MPH each day.

TV: All Times Central

Thursday-Friday, 2-5 PM, Golf Channel.

Saturday: 1-2:30 PM, GC; 3-6 PM CBS

Sunday: 12-1:45 PM, GC; 2-5:30 PM, CBS

Key Holes on Pebble Beach

No.8, 428 yards, par 4

This may be the most picturesque part of the course, No.’s 8 and 9. And the toughest stretch. No. 8 features a blind tee shot, and then one of the best second shots in golf as the player hits it over the Pacific to a small green surrounded by sand and water to the right. A mishit shot can lead to a big number. Fantastic hole that will challenge the players’ fortitude.

No.9, 462 yards, par 4

The driving and approach shots will test a player’s accuracy. He must avoid the ocean on the right, with a dropoff on the right side that goes way down to the surf. On the left, there is thick rough. The green is small like most all of Pebble’s greens are and the Poa Annua greens are difficult to putt on with tricky breaks and sometimes bumpy surfaces. Another major challenge.

No.17, 178 yards, par 3

Famous hole in golf history. Tom Watson told his caddie, Bruce Edwards, before his chip shot, that, “I’m not going to get it close, I’m going to make it.” Watson proceeded to chip in and defeat Jack Nicklaus to capture the 1982 U.S. Open, part of 8 majors that Watson won. It was also reported that Watson said to Nicklaus after the chip in, “Put that in your pipe and smoke it.” Not a big fan of that, but Watson was a ferocious competitor.

No.18, 543 yards, par 5

The Pacific runs along the left hand side. A player who draws it needs to be careful. Too much of a fade and the player faces a long second shot. There is a chance to go for it in 2 for guys like Dustin Johnson, Rory, who’s playing, Jason Day, and last week’s winner, Gary Woodland, among others. The green is larger than most, and it’s a very good birdie opportunity. Graeme McDowell made his winning two putt in the 2010 U.S. Open here. Should make for an electric finish on Sunday.

***Dustin Johnson, world No.1, John Rahm, No.2, Jordan Spieth, No.3, Rory McIlroy, No.8, and Jason Day, No.10, are all playing this week. Super field.

Winner

I’m going with the 23 year old. He’s already won this season at the CareerBuilder and he’s trying to get the World Number 1 ranking with a victory and a 45th place or worse finish by Dustin. I don’t think DJ will do that. He’s the 2009 and 2010 champion here, and has 7 top 10 finishes, but I do like the young Spaniard to get the job done at historic Pebble Beach.

Jon Rahm

Sleeper

Brandt Snedeker

He’s an 8 time champion on tour, and won here in 2013 and 2015, so he knows how to get it done at Pebble. He’s back this year from a shortened season last year due to an injury. He finished 4th here a year ago. Like Sneds to be right there on Sunday and possibly pull it off though Rahm is my pick.