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New England was terrible on third down.

The New England Patriots can point to a few reasons for their 41-33 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

The coaching staff mishandled the secondary with their benching of Malcolm Butler and decision to have Stephon Gilmore not cover Eagles receiver Alshon Jeffery until the second half.

The defensive front allowed the Eagles running back duo of LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi, and Corey Clement to gain 155 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries (5.