They lost their last Super Bowl appearance to the Patriots, 24-21, in 2005.

So in that context, the browbeaten Eagles may be a fan favorite, and not just because of the virulent backlash against the Patriots outside of New England (see Deflategate).

But can they win?

The Eagles pass rush, so evident Sunday, is the perfect nuisance to get under Brady’s skin. Philadelphia’s defense forces turnovers, which is another key to defeating New England. The Eagles also have plenty of moxie, which they displayed with their goal line stand Sunday when the Vikings were trying to claw back into the game in the third quarter.

On offense, Foles looked newly confident and self-reliant, never more so than during the Eagles’ opening drive of the second half when he tossed an extraordinary touchdown pass on a flea-flicker.

First, Foles caught a wayward, slow lateral on the play, then he avoided the pressure in a disintegrating pocket and finally stepped up and emphatically threw the football through a narrow window in the Vikings defense to wide receiver Torrey Smith for a 41-yard touchdown. It was the dagger that all but finished off Minnesota (the defensive goal line stand was truly the final blow).

Afterward, Foles exulted in a way that spoke for the essence of Eagles fandom.

“Everyone was against us,” he said. “We weren’t anyone’s pick in this game. But you know what, we stuck together and just jumped on them.”

So watching these Eagles negotiate the Super Bowl landscape in the next two weeks is going to be entertaining. Cue the “Rocky” theme.