SuperBowl Wagering With Our #1 Sponsor
- Join MySportsbook.com Today!!!
The Eagles, meanwhile, have finally found a spot
on the Super Bowl stage after sustaining three
consecutive conference championship game heartbreaks
from 2001 to 2003. Philadelphia's 27-10 triumph
over Atlanta in the 2004 NFC title game sent the
franchise to the Super Bowl for the first time
since the 1980 season, with the 24-year hiatus
ranking as the second-longest gap in appearances
in league annals. Andy Reid's squad will be contending
for what would be the franchise's first-ever Lombardi
Trophy, as well as the first major sports championship
for the City of Philadelphia since the 76ers won
the 1983 NBA title. The Eagles won three NFL titles
in the pre-Super Bowl era, earning the crown in
1948, 1949 and 1960.
In addition to the aforementioned
win over the Falcons, Philly's 2004 postseason
ledger includes a 27-14 victory over Minnesota
in an NFC Divisional Playoff.
SERIES HISTORY
The Eagles hold a 6-3 advantage
in their all-time regular season series with
the Patriots, but were 31-10 losers when the
teams last met, on September 14, 2003, at Lincoln
Financial Field. New England quarterback Tom
Brady completed 30 of 44 passes for 255 yards
and three touchdowns in that game, while his
counterpart, Donovan McNabb, completed just
18 of 46, threw a pair of interceptions, and
was sacked seven times.
Prior to the 2003 loss,
Philadelphia had won five straight over New
England between 1981 and 1999, with four of
those victories coming at home. The Patriots'
most recent home victory in the series occurred
during the 1978 campaign.
Though the Eagles and Pats
did not meet during the 2004 regular season,
they did match up in a preseason contest at
Gillette Stadium on August 13. New England took
that contest, 24-6, as both teams' starters
played sparingly.
Reid is 1-1 all-time against
New England, with the win coming against the
Bill Parcells-coached Patriots in 1999. Belichick
is 1-0 against both the Eagles and Reid as a
head coach.
The franchises will be
squaring off in the postseason for the first
time.
PATRIOTS OFFENSE
VS. EAGLES DEFENSE
Engineering the Patriot
offense is two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady
(3,692 passing yards, 28 TD, 14 INT, 60.8 completion
percentage), who brings a career postseason
record of 8-0 into Sunday's game. Brady completed
32 of 48 passes for 354 yards, three touchdowns,
and an interception in last year's Super Bowl
win over Carolina. The Michigan product has
yet to throw an interception in the 2004 playoffs.
New England traded a second-round
draft pick to Cincinnati for running back Corey
Dillon (1,635 rushing yards, 12 TD) this past
offseason, and apparently, the move has paid
off. At the age of 30, Dillon put up career
numbers in 2004, setting a Patriots rushing
record despite missing a game (October 31 at
Pittsburgh) due to a thigh injury. Dillon also
gutted Indianapolis for a 23- carry, 144-yard
performance in the AFC Divisional Round. Serving
as a backup is Kevin Faulk (255 rushing yards,
26 receptions, 2 TD), who has 76 rushing yards
on 14 carries in two 2004 playoff games. Fullback
Patrick Pass (141 rushing yards, 28 receptions)
has been limited in recent weeks by a foot injury,
but is expected to play in the Super Bowl.
Brady throws most often
to his trio of wideouts - David Givens (56 receptions,
3 TD), David Patten (44 receptions, 7 TD) and
Deion Branch (35 receptions, 4 TD). Givens,
who led New England in catches and receiving
yards during the regular season, has scored
TDs in each of the Pats' first two playoff games.
Patten, who has just two receptions in the playoffs
thus far, caught Brady's only touchdown pass
in Super Bowl XXXVI. Branch missed seven games
earlier this year with a knee injury, but has
come on strong of late, rolling up 116 receiving
yards and scoring two touchdowns in the AFC
Championship against Pittsburgh. Branch had
10 catches for 143 yards and a score in last
year's Super Bowl win over Carolina. Twelve-year
veteran Troy Brown (17 receptions, 184 yards,
1 TD) had a quiet year on the offensive side
of the ball, but has 14 catches in two Super
Bowls and could lend an experienced hand.
Eleven of Brady's 28 touchdown
passes in 2004 went to tight ends, illustrating
the importance of the position in coordinator
Charlie Weis' offense, particularly in the red
zone. Daniel Graham (30 receptions), who tied
for the team lead with seven touchdown catches
in the regular season, had four grabs for 46
yards in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Christian Fauria
(16 receptions, 2 TD) appears mostly in two-tight
end sets. The Patriots have also been known
to use linebacker Mike Vrabel as a tight end
in goal line situations, as evidenced by Vrabel's
two touchdown receptions (totaling three yards)
this season. Vrabel caught a one-yard scoring
strike from Brady in the fourth quarter of the
Super Bowl win over Carolina.
SuperBowl
Wagering With Our Top Sport Books - Join VipSports.com
Today!!!
The Patriot line has three
holdovers from the unit that started Super Bowl
XXXVIII, including center Dan Koppen, left guard
Joe Andruzzi, and left tackle Matt Light. This
year's right side has a different look than
the '03 unit, with tackle Brandon Gorin and
guard Steve Neal ranking as the less-experienced
members of the group. The New England line gave
up just 26 sacks during the regular season,
and helped the team finish seventh in NFL rushing
offense (133.4 yards per game).
The Eagles ranked second
in the NFL in sacks (47) during the regular
season, and the presence of end Jevon Kearse
(31 tackles, 7.5 sacks) was a major reason why.
Kearse has two sacks thus far in the postseason,
as does fellow starting DE Derrick Burgess (24
tackles, 2.5 sacks). The interior line in Jim
Johnson's 4-3 scheme has been relentless this
season, with tackles Corey Simon (32 tackles,
5.5 sacks), Darwin Walker (29 tackles, 4.5 sacks),
Hollis Thomas (21 tackles) and Sam Rayburn (28
tackles, 6 sacks) all receiving regular time
in the rotation. Thomas, the team's best run-stuffer,
plays primarily in rushing situations, while
Rayburn is involved mainly on passing downs.
Philadelphia's defense
has taken off since Mark Simoneau (48 tackles)
was replaced at middle linebacker by Jeremiah
Trotter (69 tackles) following a Week 9 loss
to the Steelers. In the eight games (excluding
the final two of the regular season, in which
Philly played few of its starters) since the
switch was made, the Eagles have given up an
average of 11.9 points per game. Simoneau was
moved to weakside linebacker for a time, but
injuries to both he and Nate Wayne (29 tackles)
thrust Keith Adams (46 tackles) into a starting
position, and Adams has performed well. Dhani
Jones (71 tackles) has been a fixture at strong
side linebacker all season.
The leader for the Philadelphia
secondary is unquestionably free safety Brian
Dawkins (69 tackles, 4 INT, 3 sacks), who earned
a trip to the 2004 Pro Bowl along with strong
safety Michael Lewis (88 tackles, 1 INT). Lewis
ranked second on the team in tackles during
the regular season. Lito Sheppard (56 tackles,
5 INT) and Sheldon Brown (89 tackles, 2 INT)
have each performed capably at cornerback this
year, with Sheppard earning his first-ever Pro
Bowl citation for his efforts. Sheppard scored
two touchdowns off interceptions during the
regular season.
EAGLES OFFENSE
VS. PATRIOTS DEFENSE
Donovan McNabb (3,875 passing
yards, 31 TD, 8 INT) had a career year in 2004,
establishing personal bests in passing yards,
TDs, completion percentage (64.0), and QB rating
(104.7) en route to his fourth straight Pro
Bowl selection. The Syracuse product didn't
miss a beat in the postseason, completing 38
of 59 passes for 466 yards, four touchdowns
and no interceptions in two playoff wins.
Though Brian Westbrook
(73 receptions, 812 rushing yards, 9 TD) probably
poses more of a significant threat in the passing
game, the third-year pro also offers the Eagles'
ground attack a major weapon. Westbrook averaged
a healthy 4.6 yards per rush during the regular
season, and has 166 rushing yards on 28 carries
(5.9 yards per rush) in two 2004 playoff games.
In short-yardage and goal line situations, Philadelphia
often utilizes veteran Dorsey Levens (410 rushing
yards, 4 TD), who revitalized his career this
past season at the age of 34. Levens, who had
a touchdown run in the NFC Championship against
Atlanta, played in Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII
with Green Bay, rushing 33 times for 151 yards
combined in the two games. Fullback Josh Parry
(9 receptions) had a catch in each of Philly's
first two playoff contests.
All eyes will be on Terrell
Owens (77 receptions, 14 TD), who is hoping
to suit up for the first Super Bowl of his career.
Owens had surgery to repair a broken fibula
and severely sprained right ankle on December
22. In his absence, the Eagles have turned to
the receiving triumvirate of Todd Pinkston (36
receptions, 1 TD), Freddie Mitchell (22 receptions,
2 TD) and Greg Lewis (17 receptions), and each
of the three has registered a modest impact.
Mitchell caught five passes for 65 yards and
scored two touchdowns against Minnesota in the
NFC Divisional Playoff, and is the only Philly
receiver to score a TD since Owens went down.
Westbrook, who plays at wideout and in the slot
in addition to his backfield duties, has 10
catches in the 2004 playoffs to date.
Nine of McNabb's 31 touchdowns
in 2004 went to tight ends, with L.J. Smith
(34 receptions, 5 TD) ranking as perhaps the
team's most valuable asset in the middle of
the field. The 6-3, 258-pound Smith had four
receptions for 52 yards against Minnesota in
the NFC Divisional Round, but was limited to
one catch in the NFC Championship versus Atlanta.
No. 2 tight end Chad Lewis (29 receptions, 3
TD), who had two touchdown catches against the
Falcons, is out for the Super Bowl with a sprained
foot. In two-tight end sets, the team will turn
to Jeff Thomason, who was signed on January
24 after being out of football since 2002.
The Philadelphia offensive
line has been consistent and solid, with center
Hank Fraley, right tackle Jon Runyan and left
tackle Tra Thomas making up the core of the
unit throughout the season. Thomas was named
to the NFC Pro Bowl squad for his efforts. The
starting trench unit is rounded out by right
guard Jermane Mayberry and left guard Artis
Hicks. McNabb was sacked 32 times during the
regular season, and Philly running backs averaged
a healthy 4.4 yards per rush over that span.
McNabb has been sacked just three times in the
postseason.
At the forefront of the
Patriots' 3-4 defensive scheme is end Richard
Seymour, though the All-Pro's status for the
Super Bowl is in doubt due to a left knee injury.
Seymour (39 tackles, 5 sacks) missed both the
AFC Divisional Playoff and AFC Championship
game. Ty Warren (48 tackles, 3.5 sacks) is a
fixture at the other end, and rookie Vince Wilfork
(42 tackles, 2 sacks) and veteran Keith Traylor
(28 tackles) have served in a platoon at nose
tackle.
Inside linebacker Tedy
Bruschi (122 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 INT) has
been at the heart of the Patriots' run-stopping
efforts all year, and ranks second on the team
with 12 playoff tackles thus far. Bruschi will
be playing in his fourth Super Bowl with the
Patriots, and will be making his second start.
Ted Johnson (77 tackles) figures to begin the
game alongside Bruschi, though he has recently
been bothered by leg problems. Looking for an
encore of his huge performance in Super Bowl
XXXVIII will be outside linebacker Mike Vrabel
(71 tackles, 5.5 sacks), who came up with six
tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in addition
to a one-yard touchdown catch in the victory
over Carolina. Willie McGinest (51 tackles,
9.5 sacks), who led New England in sacks this
year and had one against Jake Delhomme in the
Super Bowl last year, will again start opposite
Vrabel.
Many of the Patriots' warts
in the secondary have been disguised by the
presence of strong safety Rodney Harrison (138
tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT) and free safety Eugene
Wilson (67 tackles, 4 INT), who have combined
for four interceptions in the 2004 playoffs.
Harrison, who had a team-high nine tackles in
Super Bowl XXXVIII, has 22 stops and an interception
return for a touchdown in two postseason contests
this year. Though the cornerback position is
perceived to be a team weakness for the Patriots,
the starting duo of Randall Gay (34 tackles,
2 INT) and Asante Samuel (36 tackles, 1 INT)
has actually performed well in the absence of
opening day starters Ty Law (broken foot) and
Tyrone Poole (knee). The Patriots are 7-1 when
the two players, who had combined for exactly
one pro start when 2004 began, are in the starting
lineup together.
Live
INGAME SuperBowl Wagering - Join CyberSportsbook.com
Today!!!
SPECIAL TEAMS
Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri
earned a second career Pro Bowl citation for
his work during the regular season, when he
connected on 31 of 33 field goals, including
a perfect 20-20 from inside 40 yards. The South
Dakota State product's longest trifecta of the
year was from 48 yards, and he missed his only
kick of 50 or more. Vinatieri is 4-for-4 thus
far in the 2004 playoffs, including a 48-yarder
at Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship. The veteran
is 3-for-5 on field goals in three Super Bowl
appearances, with two game-winners. Josh Miller
averaged a steady 42 yards per kick during the
2004 regular season, but his 33.7 net average
ranked near the bottom of the AFC.
Kevin Faulk (6.7 avg.)
handled a majority of the Patriots' punt returns
in the regular season, but the team has turned
to Troy Brown to assume the duties during the
playoffs. Brown, who is averaging 8.5 yards
per return in the postseason, posted a 28-yard
return against the Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Backup receiver Bethel Johnson (24.8 kickoff
return avg., 1 TD) has taken all but a handful
of the Patriots' kickoff returns during the
2004 season, and ranked among the NFL top-10
in kickoff return average.
The Patriots allowed a
touchdown on both a kickoff and punt return
during the regular season, with the Bills' Terrence
McGee and Jonathan Smith achieving the respective
feats in separate meetings with New England.
The Pats ranked near the bottom of the league
in opponents' punt return (11.8) and kickoff
return (23.3) average. Backup linebacker Larry
Izzo, who blocked a punt by the Eagles' Dirk
Johnson during the preseason, led the Pats with
28 special teams tackles during the regular
season.
Though Vinatieri has the
higher profile of the Super Bowl's two kickers,
Philly's David Akers is his on-field equal,
at the very least.Akers was 28- for-33 on field
goals during the regular season, including a
league-best 17- for-21 on kicks of 40 yards
or more. Akers is 4-for-4 on field goals in
the '04 playoffs. Johnson finished middle-of-the-NFL-pack
in gross distance (42.1 avg.), though his net
average (37.4) ranked in the league Top 10.
Backup corner Dexter Wynn
(10.8 avg.) and reserve running back Reno Mahe
(5.7 avg.) shared punt return duties during
the regular season, an arrangement that has
carried over to the postseason. Backup safety
J.R. Reed (23.1 avg.) and cornerback Roderick
Hood (22.4 avg.) both had a hand in the kickoff
return game this season, with Reed proving the
more explosive of the two players. Reed, a rookie
out of South Florida, broke a 48-yard return
in the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Vikings.
The Eagles did not allow
a kickoff or punt return for a touchdown in
2004, though they ranked near the bottom of
the league in opponents' kickoff return average
(23.2). During the regular season, Philly was
near the top of the league in opponents' punt
return average (6.5). Reserve linebacker Ike
Reese led Philadelphia with 33 special teams
tackles in 2004, followed by fellow LB Keith
Adams with 24.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Patriots and Eagles
match up evenly from a personnel standpoint,
but New England has the decided edge in the
experience category. A large number of the Pats'
offensive and defensive principles were in this
very position last year, and know how to handle
the Super Bowl spotlight. The Eagles have made
every effort to take a similar businesslike
approach in the buildup to the game, but the
circus surrounding Owens' status is bound to
take some toll on the team, even if the media
glare and week's festivities don't. Philly will
be competitive, and the contest itself figures
to be far more entertaining than the commercials
once again. But at the end of the day, it isn't
advisable to bet against the robotically cool
Belichick, his staff, or his charges in a game
of this magnitude.
||
|
Sportsbook
Review Rating: A+
