The Patriots and Eagles are about as different as two teams can be. One’s now been to 10 Super Bowls, while the other is hoping for its first ring. One’s making its annual business trip, while the other’s been wearing dog masks to celebrate underdog status.
The Eagles have one clear edge over the Patriots: touchdown celebrations
This is just about the only battle in which a Bill Belichick team isn’t the favorite.
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
That’s all evident in the ways both sides celebrate big plays. Each team’s celebrations represent their vastly different personalities. But which team’s are the best?
Gronk Spike vs. Ertz’s Gronk Spike
There’s only one Rob Gronkowski. But that hasn’t stopped other players from stealing Gronk’s signature celebration, the Gronk Spike.
That includes Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who was joined by his teammates for an epic Gronk Spike during a 28-23 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.
Ertz’s is nice, but it’s derivative. We’ve got to give the nod to the original Gronk Spike here. Patriots 1, Eagles 0.
Danny Amendola’s Julian Edelman flag vs. Mack Hollins’ Backpack Kid
Julian Edelman went down with a torn ACL during the preseason. But that didn’t stop his teammate from including Edelman in a celebration this season. Amendola borrowed a JE11 flag from a fan in the stands to celebrate back in Week 4 against the Panthers.
It’s pretty tame, but so is Mack Hollins’ homage to Backpack Kid, the kid who stole the show from Katy Perry on Saturday Night Live back in May.
Have you ever tried to do the Backpack Kid dance? It’s hard to nail that timing. Hollins takes this one. We’re all tied up, Patriots 1, Eagles 1.
Eagles’ baseball celebrations vs. Brandon Cooks riding Gronk like a horse
The Eagles have a healthy appreciation for America’s other favorite pastime. They incorporated baseball into a few of their celebrations this season, like this one, when Torrey Smith knocks one out of the park.
They went back to the diamond when Ertz nailed Alshon Jeffery with a pitch and Jeffery charged the mound.
The Patriots steered clear of baseball and went equestrian with this celebration: Cooks riding Gronkowski like a giant, goofy pony.
That piggy back ride is fun, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the more elaborate baseball celebrations. Eagles 2, Patriots 1.
Eagles go bowling vs. Dion Lewis coming straight at you
The Eagles were one of the league’s best at well-choreographed celebrations. This was a more memorable one, when Jeffery took down all the pins — played by his teammates — with a perfect strike.
Elsewhere, Dion Lewis took this touchdown celebration right into your living room.
The preparation and perfect timing on the Eagles’ bowling celebration gives them the advantage. Eagles 3, Patriots 1.
Patriots’ locker room bro hugs vs. Eagles’ Electric Slide
Bill Belichick’s not a flashy coach, and his team is built in his image. So celebrating a win with some understated handshake-hugs in the locker room is on brand.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have plenty of swagger. They showed it off in arguably the best celebration of the year, the defense’s Electric Slide.
The Eagles take this one, too. That makes our final score Eagles 4, Patriots 1.
It’s not a huge surprise that the Patriots aren’t the most expressive team. I mean, look at Belichick. This is about as expressive as he gets.
And the Patriots don’t really have a history of celebrating much. Hell, Tom Brady can barely get his teammates to give him a high five.
The Patriots are favored to win Super Bowl LII, but hopefully the Eagles will give us some celebrations to remember it by along the way.
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