Super Bowl XXXIX
New England vs. Philadelphia
Freddie Mitchell, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, learned on Sunday that trash-talking can get you into a heap of trouble. He said he had something special for Patriot safety Rodney Harrison. Somehow, one catch for 11 yards doesn't fit many people's definitions of the word "special."
Despite an incredible performance from wide receiver Terrell Owens, who managed nine catches for 122 yards on a broken leg and a severely sprained ankle, the Eagles fell just short of a big upset, falling to the New England Patriots, 24-21, in Super Bowl XXXIX. The win for the Patriots was their third title in five Super Bowl appearances, and their third in four years. The only other team to pull off three titles in four years was the Dallas Cowboys, who won Super Bowls in 1992, 1993, and 1995.
For most of the first half, this game was a complete standstill, with neither team getting any offense going at all. The first four drives of the game ended in punts. The fifth drive of the game belonged to the Eagles, and it looked as though the drive would yield the first points of the night. However, with three minutes remaining in the first quarter and with first-and-ten on the Patriots' 19, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb lofted a pass towards the left corner of the end zone that was intercepted at the Patriots' three yard line by safety Rodney Harrison of the Patriots. It would be just the first turnover of a combined five (four by the Eagles) in the game.
The Patriots only moved the ball seven yards on the next three plays, and were forced to punt. A terrible punt by Josh Miller gave the Eagles the ball at the Patriot 45. The great field position wasn't taken advantage of by the Eagles- they turned over the ball four plays later, on a L.J.Smith fumble at the Patriots' 38, recovered by Eugene Wilson.
The first points of the game came from the Eagles. A nine-play, 81-yard drive in the second quarter culminated with a six-yard McNabb-to-Smith touchdown pass. The 7-0 Eagle lead was only the second time in the last 24 games (counting playoffs) that the Patriots didn't score first.
On the ensuing possession, the Patriots drove all the way from their own 13 to the Eagles' four, only to fumble the ball away. It was the only turnover for the Patriots, but it was a costly one- at least, it seemed to be.
The Patriots would add points just before halftime, on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brady to receiver David Givens with 1:16 to go. The Patriots were the best team in the NFL at scoring points in the final two minutes of the first half, scoring a league-high 57.
The Patriots-Eagles game was tied at the end of the first and second quarters, and, for the first time in Super Bowl history, was tied at the end of the third quarter. On the opening drive of the second half, the Patriots kept momentum in their favor, driving 69 yards in nine plays, ending their drive with a wonderfully bobbled two-yard touchdown catch, hauled in by linebacker Mike Vrabel. The touchdown put the Patriots ahead, 14-7. They would not trail for the rest of the game.
After the ensuing drive for the Eagles fizzled out, they punted to the Patriots' Troy Brown, who returned the punt 44 yards to the Eagles' 40-yard line. The play didn't hold up, though- it was called back because of an offensive holding penalty, and the Patriots were forced to start the drive deep on their side of the field (the eight yard line).
The Eagles tied the game at 14 halfway through the third, thanks to a drive that was dominated by running back Brian Westbrook and Owens, who accounted for 55 of the team's 74 yards on the possession, including the 10-yard touchdown pass from McNabb to Westbrook. Owens was already making his presence well known, but his longest catch of the game was still to come.
The Eagle defense continued being befuddled by everything the Patriots threw at them, giving up another touchdown (on a two-yard Corey Dillon run) with 13:44 to go in the game. The Patriots next possession started in Eagle territory and, just like three of their previous four drives, yielded points- a 22-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal that put the Patriots up 24-14 with only 8:40 to play. With the game in its final minutes, Owens made his longest catch of the night, breaking away from a would-be tackler and jaunting down the sidelines for a 36-yard catch. The Eagles, just like they had all game, failed to capitalize. On the next play, linebacker Tedy Bruschi intercepted a McNabb pass at the New England 24 that was intended for Owens.
The Eagles cut into the Patriot lead with a McNabb 30-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis that brought the deficit down to three with 1:48 to go. The Eagle defense stepped up to stop the Patriots on the next possession, but the Patriots' punt was downed at the Eagles' four. Three plays later, Harrison intercepted McNabb to seal the Patriot victory.
The Eagle offense was completely unbalanced, rushing only 17 times while passing 51 times. Deion Branch of the Patriots grounded the Eagles, catching 11 passes for 133 yards and snatching up the Super Bowl MVP award. Branch had 10 catches in last year's Super Bowl win over the Panthers. Brady was cool as ice, completing 23 of 33 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. No Patriot defenders stepped up more than Harrison and Bruschi, who combined for 13 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions. McNabb, in his first ever Super Bowl, passed for 357 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Stat of the Game: Patriots cornerback Rodney Harrison, who was taunted by receiver Freddie Mitchell of the Eagles in the days leading up to the Super Bowl, caught more passes from Donovan McNabb (two) than Mitchell did (one).
Whether the Patriots win it all again next year or never again triumph on sports' biggest stage remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure- the Patriots have dominated the NFL over the past four years, and quite a few Patriot players have cemented their legacy as Hall-of-Famers. Still, this team will not call itself a "dynasty." Ask Patriot coach Bill Belicheck about the word "dynasty", and all he'll refer to is the television show.
Super Bowl XXXIX Preview
New England vs. Philadelphia
The 16-2 New England Patriots and the 15-3 Philadelphia Eagles will face each other for the NFL�s top prize- the Super Bowl title- when they play on February 6th at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Patriots are attempting to win their third title in four years, and almost inconceivable idea considering where this team stood a few short years ago. Four years ago, they were 14-point Super Bowl underdogs. Now, they�re seven point favorites and the picture of domination in a league filled with parity.
The Philadelphia Eagles, the NFC representative, are headed to Jacksonville to earn the respect that should come with being a league champion. The Eagles have only played in one Super Bowl before (this is the fifth for the AFC Champion Patriots) and have never won one. Their only previous appearance was against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV (15).
This is a Super Bowl filled with enough interesting storylines to satisfy any serious or casual football fan.
On New England�s side, there�s quarterback Tom Brady, the possible second-coming of Joe Montana, his childhood idol. Brady is undefeated for his career in playoff games- winning his first eight, an NFL record to start a career. Brady was overlooked in the 2000 NFL draft, lasting until the 199th pick (6th round). Nobody looks past him now.
There�s Corey Dillon, former Bengal running back, who after seven years of frustration in Cincinnati, is now with a winning team in New England. This is the first year he�s been in a playoff game. Dillon rushed for over 1600 yards this season.
Troy Brown, former 100-catch receiver, now doubles as a cornerback, and a good one, too- he tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
They have the best clutch kicker in NFL history, Adam Vinatieri, who has kicked two game-winners in the Super Bowl for the Patriots. They�re trying for their third title in four years, and they�ve only lost twice in their last 33 games.
You either love �em or hate �em. They�re the New England Patriots- led by their genius coach, Bill Belicheck, a certain Hall-of-Famer, who is 9-1 for his career in playoff games.
They�re without their two best cornerbacks (Ty Law and Tyrone Poole), but they still keep on winning.
On the other side of the field stands a team full of broken dreams from past seasons (three straight championship game losses before winning this year) and broken bones from the present one (tight end Chad Lewis� broken foot and Terrell Owens� broken fibula). They�re the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that for so long has been frustrated but is now one game away from possibly celebrating its first ever Super Bowl title.
There are many interesting stories behind this team as well:
Take Donovan McNabb, their quarterback, who was booed mercilessly on �Draft Day� six years ago by Philly fans who wanted the team to draft a running back (Ricky Williams and Edgerrin James (Colts) were available) with the second overall pick. McNabb has led his team of cellar-dwellers to the upper echilon of the NFC.
The Eagles lacked an intimidating receiver that could stretch the field. They changed that during the offseason by signing disgruntled 49�er wideout Terrell Owens- better known as �T.O.�. Owens has exploded from would-be tacklers, tallying 14 touchdown catches, second best in the NFL to Muhsin Muhammed of the Carolina Panthers, who had 16.
Gone is Duce Staley at running back. Entered in his place is Brian Westbrook, a very underrated replacement, who is a talented pass catcher out of the backfield, as well as an elusive runner.
In Lewis� place at tight end is Jeff Thomason, who was signed for one game- the Super Bowl. Thomason retired two years ago as an Eagle, but was willing to fly back onto the NFL�s radar for one day, if it meant being on the league�s biggest stage.
Receiver Freddie Mitchell came out on ESPN and said he didn�t know the names of the Patriot cornerbacks- just their numbers (22,25, and 37). He then remembered that #37 was Rodney Harrison, and said, �I�ve got something special in store for you.� Whoever #25 symbolizes remains to be seen, because there is no #25 on the Patriots roster (as of this article). For you Patriot fans, Mitchell pulled a �Vanderjagt�, and has given a little extra motivation to the Patriots, especially to Harrison, one of the league�s best safeties and hardest hitters.
The Eagle defense is led by three talented all-star cornerbacks, who will attempt to impose their will on a talented group of unheralded wideouts (Deion Branch, David Givens, Bethel Johnson and others) who are a lot faster than they�re given credit for.
Interesting Statistic: Although it seems like the Patriots have dominated the NFL over the past four years, the Eagles have won just as many regular season games over that span as the Patriots have- 48.
Prediction: New England has been in this position in recent years, playing in their third Super Bowl in four years, while Philadelphia hasn�t been in the Super Bowl for 24 years. The experience will be a big edge. First team to 17 points wins.
My guess is that it will be the Patriots that take home the title. New England Patriots 27, Philadelphia Eagles 20
Adam Nelson
Adam's articles for past weeks:
Bill Cowher Loses For Fourth Time in Five AFC Championships
Eagles Have One Final Obstacle To Overcome
Patriots End Colts' Season For Second Straight Year (2nd Round Playoffs)
Falcons Fly for 327 (2nd Round Playoffs)
Eagles Make Fourth Straight NFC Championship Game (2nd Round Playoffs)
Shanks For the Memories (2nd Round Playoffs)
Colts Completely Dominate Denver (1st Round Playoffs)
Vikings Pull A Shocker; Leave Packers Frozen (1st Round Playoffs)
Jets Cruise; End Magical Chargers' Season (1st Round Playoffs)
Seattle Sees Early Playoff Exit (1st Round Playoffs)
Playoff Preview
Rams Hold On In See-Saw Battle With Jets (week17)
Vikings Collapse Again, But Earn Playoff Berth Anyway (week17)
Eagles Lose For First Time At Home This Season (week17)
Patriots Bounce Back From Loss to Dominate Jets (week16)
Big Ben Goes Down (week16)
Volek's Amazing Game Just Not Enough (week15)
Tough Break For Eagles (week15)
Giants Would Like A Roethlisberger To Go (week15)
San Diego Charges To Seventh Straight Triumph (week14)
Chicago's Offence Barely There Agains Jaguars (week14)
New York Suffers Giant Defeat (week14)
Patriots Cause Brown Out (week13)
Pittsburgh Steels Close Win Over Jacksonville(week13)
Cowboys Leave Seahawks Sleepless in Seatle (week13)
Defense Takes Day Off In Ohio Offensive Outburst (week12)
Green Bay Not Packing Up; Win Sixth Straight (week12)
It's the Thaw That Counts (week12)
Lions Start Strong, but Vikings Rally For Win (week11)
Rams Slammed by Bills (week11)
Panthers Find Their Stride (week11)
Ravens Soar Over Jets (week10)
Manning Dismantles Texans (week10)
Cardiac Cats Resuscitated (week10)
"In Battle of Pennsylvania, Duce-less Steelers Run Wild" 11/7/04
"Manning Throws Four T.D. Passes in All-Out Aerial Assault Against Vikings" 11/7/04
"Saints Powerless Against Chargers; Lose 43-17" 11/7/04
"Carr Continues To Be On Fire" (Texans vs Jaguars) 10/31/04
"Denver Losses Despite Record Yards" (Denver vs Atlanta) 10/31/04
"Colts Fall To Chiefs" 10/31/04
"Patriots Top Jets" 10/24/04
"Chiefs Run Over Falcons" 10/24/04
"Fins Batter Rams, Get First Win" 10/24/04
"Car Drives Texans To Victory" (Texans vs Titans) 10/17/04
"Daunte Torches Saints" (Vikings vs Saints) 10/17/04
"Still Streaking" (Patriots vs Dolphins) 10/10/04
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