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SuperBowl
1/27/05
| SuperBowl |
| Sunday, Feb.
6th 6:30 EST |
| NE
vs PHI - 6:30 PM EST - CB |
|
For The Season
(163-93) Straight Up - 63.6%
(145-106-5) Against The Spread - 57.7%
N.E. Patriots (-7) vs. Philadelphia
Eagles
I know it is a high line for a Super Bowl but the Patriots
simply have no peers. Both teams played sick games on Sunday and
are both primed and ready to try and take the throne. The problem
here is that the AFC is so much better than the NFC anyway. Especially
at the top where the Eagles are clearly better than any other team
in the NFC but really would be 4th or 5th best in the AFC. But all
that goes out the window come Super Bowl Sunday.
The Eagles played a marvelous defensive game against the Falcons.
Truth be told the Falcons were clearly one-dimensional and that
showed against Philly. They held the Falcons to 99 yards total rushing
for the game. Vick was completely bottled up and only had 26 yards.
They forced Vick to begin passing and that is where the trouble
began. He only completed 11 passes and for only 136 yards. Trotter
continues to play at a ProBowl level as he had another outstanding
effort with 8 tackles and led the team. They also forced 4 sacks,
1 interception, and 1 fumble.
The Eagles offense was efficient however they really did not have
to do much as the defense was not going to allow this team to lose.
McNabb had a workmanlike 180 yards passing and 2 TDS. Westbrook
was all over the place and had 135 all-purpose yards. They moved
the ball very well against a good defensive team.
This game for the Eagles comes down to two things. The defense has
been great but the offensives they have faced were relatively one-dimensional.
The Rams were a passing team that rarely ran the ball well and the
Falcons had no passing game. The team they will face for all the
marbles do everything well on offense. They will have to raise the
bar to stop a team that has a great offensive line, a top running
back, and receivers that can turn in big plays. They can hurt you
in multiple ways.
Speaking of the Patriots they had a marvelous game on Sunday as
they crushed the Steelers 41-27. A rookie QB and a leaky defense
plagued the Steelers. Tom Brady went for 207 yards two TDS. The
Patriots hurt the Steelers by hitting them with big plays. One in
particular was the 60-yard TD from Brady to Branch. I think that
was really the beginning of the end. Big Ben had some moments but
his three picks were costly. One was returned for an 87 yard TD.
The Steelers ran the ball effectively but could not overcome the
turnovers caused by the Patriots defense that continues to own the
postseason.
The Patriots are looking to really become one of immortal teams
in history by winning the Super Bowl 3 out of 4 years. That is called
a dynasty folks. Big Bill is one of the masters of the game and
will come up with a game plan to shut down the Eagles receivers.
From the last I heard Owens would probably not be medically cleared
to play on Sunday, which darkens the skies for the Eagles again.
I know I have heard the Eagle fans all week about "doubting
the Eagles" and "team of destiny" you know all that
crap. But they simply do not have the tools to stay with the Patriots
and this team refuses to lose in the playoffs. They just have more
weapons on both sides of the ball and play as a unit. They have
been great for some period of time and will not be denied this championship.
Final Score: Patriots 30 Eagles
20
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