Radio Sport’s Marc Peard explains why the Superbowl is a big deal.
We'll forgive you if this feels familiar, but the Super Bowl is on this Monday and all your favourite characters are back.
Star quarterback Tom Brady, legendary coach Bill Belichick and the all-conquering New England Patriots have made it to the biggest stage in US sport for the eighth time this century. It's an astounding run of success.
Their opponents are the surprise packet Philadelphia Eagles who have treated one of the NFL's most rabid fanbases to a season to remember.
It's left America a little torn over who to support: The league darlings who always seem to get what they want? Or the team whose fans are rated the most unwelcoming and intimidating in the country?
Here's everything you need to know about the annual spectacle.
What's special about this year?
For the first time since the 1991 season the game returns to the icy climate of Minnesota. But don't be worried about the weather affecting the game, it's being played at an indoor stadium opened in 2016. The Pats are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since they did it themselves in the 2003-2004 seasons. The second win on that occasion came against Philadelphia too. The Eagles are one of 13 NFL teams to have never tasted the ultimate success. Philly features two players, defensive end Chris Long and running back LeGarrette Blount, who won last year with New England.
Tom Brady with wife Gisele Bundchen and daughter Vivian Brady. Photo / Getty Images
We get why you might baulk at cheering on a guy like Tom Brady, who is not only in the conversation as the greatest sportsman of all time but is also married to supermodel Gisele Bundchen. But anyone who gets a kick out of watching historically-significant players and teams should jump on board the Brady-Pats bandwagon. Brady, 40, can create history by breaking a tie with former Cowboys and 49ers linebacker Charles Haley by adding his sixth Super Bowl ring. Belichick already has the most of any head coach with five, but can further enhance his reputation as the greatest mentor in NFL history. This team has been almost faultless since a week one upset defeat to Kansas City and you have to admire how effectively Belichick has fixed a defence that was conceding more than 30 points a game across the first month of the season.
Brady is currently starring in a multi-part documentary series called Tom vs. Time ahead of his eighth Super Bowl on Monday. Brady was filmed kissing his 10-year-old son in the third part of the docuseries and it sent social media into a spin.
Why should I cheer for the Eagles?
For Aussie sports fans, it might be as simple as supporting the city that NBA star Ben Simmons now calls home. The Eagles are also a big underdog in this game, if you prefer barracking for the outsider, and have lost twice on the biggest stage (1980, 2004). They're a surprise participant after battling through a 7-9 season last year. After charging to an 11-2 start their season appeared to have been ruined by a season-ending injury to star quarterback Carson Wentz, but replacement Nick Foles has weathered an early storm to keep them alive. This would be a fairytale story in many ways but don't underestimate how good Philadelphia has played this season. NFL research revealed the Eagles are the first of the Patriots' eight opponents in the Brady era to be ranked in the top five in the league in both offence and defence.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. Photo / AP Photo
What if I don't like either team?
To be honest, you should watch just because you're a sports fan. The Patriots are famous for delivering classic Super Bowls. Last year they recovered from a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons to win in overtime. Two years before they barely survived in a 28-24 win against Seattle when Malcolm Butler secured a famous interception with just seconds on the clock. Their defeats to the New York Giants in the 2007 and 2011 seasons were both thrilling and closely-fought upsets. Before that, Brady's first three Super Bowls (2001, 2003 and 2004) were all won by just three points. That's seven scintillating Super Bowls in the Brady era.
How can I watch?
ESPN will broadcasting the game from 10am AEDT (12pm NZT).
The Patriots ($1.52) are a heavy favourite against the Eagles ($2.60) at Ladbrokes. Eight of the past 11 Super Bowl MVPs have been quarterbacks, so if you think Philly is capable of pulling off an upset, Foles is good value at $6.50. As for first touchdown scorer, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski ($8) and running back Dion Lewis ($9) are the shortest-priced but consider Danny Amendola ($15) who was red hot in the AFC Championship game. Philly's Zach Ertz ($11) and Jay Ajayi ($12) should also be on your radar considering New England hasn't scored in the first quarter of a Super Bowl under Belichick.
Who is performing at half time?
Justin Timberlake is ready to rock your body. Photo / AP Photo
The nipple ripper himself, Justin Timberlake. Timberlake is back headlining the halftime show for the first time since exposing Janet Jackson at Super Bowl 38. But don't expect a repeat. Timberlake has ruled out any chance his former boy band 'N Sync would join him or other potential special guests would show up — including Jackson herself. Pink will perform the national anthem.
What about the ads?
After a year of political and cultural upheaval, Super Bowl advertisers appear to be pulling back from themes of unity in favour of in-game stunts and ads that aim for the heart — and in some cases even lower. Last year, just after President Donald Trump took office, ads offered themes of inclusion. Airbnb showed faces of different ethnicities with the copy "We all belong" and Coke re-ran an ad featuring "America the Beautiful" sung in different languages. This year, following a year of heated debate over immigration, NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem and the #MeToo movement highlighting sexual misconduct, many Super Bowl advertisers are playing it safer by showcasing famous faces, focusing on inoffensive causes and trying to stand out with silly humour and stunts. Of course, a few are going straight for whatever will grab attention. Unfortunately for Aussie (and Kiwi) viewers, we don't see the commercials that cost companies around $5 million for 30 seconds of airtime. But you can watch them all online.
