From Minneapolis: NFL Network's Kim Jones Rates Philly QB, Mayor Tweaks Eagles Fans

Kim Jones of the NFL Network has been assigned to cover the Patriots for the week of Super Bowl LII. She joins host Chris Gasper (@CGasper) from Radio Row inside the Mall of America in Minneapolis to give her point of view on the big game.

Also, Jacob Frey, the Mayor of Minneapolis, made a video welcoming Eagles and Patriots fans to his city. Frey got in a funny jab at Eagles fans, which has the video going viral among Patriots fans. Season Ticket Producer Josh Swartz interviews Mayor Frey who, at 36, is four years younger than Tom Brady.

Guests

On the Patriots defense stopping Philadelphia:
Kim Jones: To me, it might come down to if Nick Foles is the quarterback he’s been in the playoffs, which is a different quarterback. I know he had a seven-touchdown game, I understand that his cleats or gloves or whatever are in the Hall of Fame because of that. I get that part but, Nick Foles, for six years, was a pedestrian quarterback. The last two games he’s been a Hall of Fame quarterback, so can he do that? Can he complete that number of balls against a defense that is going to try to outwit him and very well may?

Chris Gasper: My question is can he do that without all the chunk plays that he got against Minnesota? Those big plays were huge. His completion percentage in the postseason is great (77.8%), but he hasn’t had the Tom Brady/Peyton Manning/Drew Brees methodical, surgical drives; it’s been a lot of big chunk plays, which is a credit to (Head Coach) Doug Pederson.

Kim Jones: I just think that the Patriots and their commitment to outwork you, to outhustle you and to out-execute you has to prevent some of the stuff we saw. That, to me, looked like a Vikings defense that we would call middling last week, and they’re the best defense in the league. So how much of that is what the Eagles made them look like? Maybe 50 percent, maybe you wanna go to 60 percent but some of that was the Vikings defense simply not playing well.

"To me, it might come down to if Nick Foles is the quarterback he’s been in the playoffs, which is a different quarterback ... The last two games he’s been a Hall of Fame quarterback, so can he do that?"

Kim Jones, NFL Network

Prediction for Super Bowl LII
Chris Gasper: I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but I’m sensing a vibe that you like the Patriots in this game.

Kim Jones: I just do, and I don’t dislike the Eagles … I just think that on the sideline, the Patriots have such an advantage. Belichick, McDaniels and Patricia will adjust as they have to, and will find a way in the second half … I think it will be a single-digit game. I don’t know that I think it will be a one-point game but I think single-digit game. Maybe not a last minute drive, but close enough to keep us interested and that’s what I hope for.

"I think it will be a single-digit game. I don’t know that I think it will be a one-point game but I think single-digit game. Maybe not a last minute drive, but close enough to keep us interested and that’s what I hope for."

Kim Jones, NFL Network

Jacob Frey, The Mayor of Minneapolis on hosting the Super Bowl
WBUR Producer Josh Swartz: You have been mayor for less than a month and not many people in their first month have to prepare for an event as huge as the Super Bowl. How has that gone and how have you been adjusting to the job so far?

Jacob Frey: I’m working like a dog right now, but I’m having an absolute ball. This is my dream job representing the best city in the whole world and I just need to make sure to do it well. So, we have hired out our staff and we're working with the different departments and entities in the city to make sure this is a world-class party that we’re throwing.

"I’m having an absolute ball. This is my dream job representing the best city in the whole world and I just need to make sure to do it well."

Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis

On the viral video where he teases Eagles fans:
(Note: The video contains some "bleeped out" language at the end, meant in jest.)
Frey: I was just saying what everyone else in Minnesota was thinking.