8 players to root for in Super Bowl LII

The matchup is set. The New England Patriots will play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII in less than two weeks.

Plenty of storylines will emerge in the time between now and Feb. 4. For those still figuring out their rooting interests for the big game, here are eight players to cheer on in hopes they end up with a Super Bowl ring.

Chris Long

Long is actually a defending Super Bowl champion. The veteran defensive end signed with the Patriots for one year and won his first ever title in 2016.

He'll be making his second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl, this time in Eagles colors. However, this season, his professional exploits took a back seat to his philanthropic endeavors.

Long donated his entire 2017 salary to various educational efforts in his hometown of Charlottesville, Va. Long was essentially playing for free this season and the contributions the Eagles have received in return - such as his recovery of Case Keenum's fumble in Sunday's NFC Championship Game - have been invaluable.

James Harrison

Harrison sat and stewed for weeks. Upon returning to Pittsburgh for his 15th season, the linebacker found himself stapled to the bench.

Finally, in Week 16, he was given his release and was promptly scooped up by the Patriots. Now, with his 40th birthday approaching, Harrison is back in the Super Bowl for the first time since 2010.

Fans may not agree with his messy, public divorce from the Steelers, but no one can question Harrison's dedicated pursuit of a third Super Bowl ring.

Nick Foles

Foles is becoming something of a folk hero.

Once Carson Wentz was lost to a season-ending knee injury, the Eagles' odds of reaching the Super Bowl took a decided dip. But Foles is no stranger to rescuing a season. In 2013, he went 8-2 in relief of Michael Vick and led the Eagles to the playoffs.

Foles is 4-1 since replacing Wentz and is now eyeing the ultimate fairy-tale ending.

Brandin Cooks

Those looking for a ringless Patriot to root for are short on options. Cooks is one of the few that qualifies.

The fourth-year pro was brought aboard via trade to be the Patriots' new deep threat. His numbers took a slight drop, yet he still recorded 1,000-plus yards and seven touchdowns.

The slight receiver is often lost in the shuffle in New England, as Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola get much of the media attention, but if Gronk is at all hampered in Super Bowl LII, Cooks could make his greatest contribution as a Patriot.

LeGarrette Blount

Blount is back in the Super Bowl and, like Long, he'll be facing his former team.

The fun-loving running back is an easy player to root for and he's enjoying a successful stretch, having scored a touchdown in the last two playoff games.

Now, he'll have the opportunity to make up for his fumble in last year's Super Bowl, the mistake that likely led the Patriots to allow him to hit free agency.

Darren Sproles

Sproles won't be playing in the championship game, but you can still root for him to get the Super Bowl ring he deserves.

The dynamo has been a difference-maker for years and he's just now getting his due. He's earned Pro Bowl honors the past three seasons, but broke his arm and tore his ACL in the third game of this year.

It's a shame he'll miss out on a chance to perform on the game's grandest stage, but hoisting the Lombardi Trophy would dull some of that pain.

David Harris

For 10 years, Harris has known little more than losing. The veteran linebacker toiled for years with the New York Jets, who only made two playoff appearances during his tenure.

Now, in his first season with the Patriots, he's going to the Super Bowl.

Harris has been made inactive in the last three games and there's no guarantee he'll play against the Eagles. If he does, though, it'll be an opportunity he's been waiting 11 years for.

Torrey Smith

The three-time NFL Man of the Year nominee has as much impact off the field as he does on it.

Smith makes a point to stay involved in the community and often leaves inspiring notes on his Twitter page.

He's now being afforded a chance to win his second Super Bowl title and, judging by his five-catch performance in the NFC title game, which included a 41-yard touchdown, he's ready to add to his jewelry collection.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)