The New England Patriots are on the verge of football legendary status and all that stands in their way are the Philadelphia Eagles.
It has been a difficult stretch for the Patriots as in the playoffs they have met the vaunted Indianapolis Colts passing game featuring Peyton Manning and The Pittsburgh Steelers crushing ground game and defense. In both cases the Patriots made it clear very early in the games that they were the superior team. The next challenge in the Super Bowl will feature the Philadelphia Eagles who on paper are not nearly as potent as the two previous playoff foes.
The Patriots are no strangers to the Eagles having played them three times over the past two seasons. This year they defeated them 24 to 6 in pre-season and last year were victorious 24 to 12 in pre-season and 31 to 10 in a regular season game.
There are 2 other common opponents that the teams played that are worth taking a look at. The Pats defeated both teams while the Eagles fell to them. Philadelphia played Cincinnati and Pittsburgh during this regular season. The AFC is commonly referred to as the stronger of the two conferences and this is easily illustrated in the results of these two games. The Steelers held the ball for over 40 minutes and rushed for over 250 yards winning by a score of 27 to 3. The Bengals prevailed by a score of 38 to 10 however the Eagles did hold out starters in preparation for the playoffs. A game in the middle of the season which had all the Eagles playing was against the Browns in which the Eagles barely escaped by a score of 34 to 31. The Browns are not considered an AFC powerhouse yet they amassed almost 400 total yards against the Eagles defense.
The key to defeating the Eagles will be containing their fine quarterback Donovan McNabb. In the last regular season meeting the Patriots were able to sack him seven times. One of the ways the Patriots will contain McNabb is to keep him on the bench with a balanced ball control attack featuring Corey Dillon. When the Eagles try to shut down the running game Brady will riddle a secondary that he has previously decimated. In the 2003 game Brady was 30 for 44 for 247 yards while the Patriots held the ball for 39 minutes.
The Eagles simply do not have enough fire power in their offense to score enough points to offset what the Patriot offense will amass. Brian Westbrook is a fine all purpose back who can both run and catch the ball however he cannot be a feature back and carry the Eagles against a ferocious defense which will focus on him. The Eagle wide receivers Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell do not strike fear in the heart of the Patriots secondary.
Injuries are certainly a factor as Terrell Owens is either unlikely to play or will be strictly in decoy status if he returns. In a game this brutal, hobbled wide receivers are cannon fodder not game breakers. Also the Eagles will definitely be without one of their tight ends as starting tight end Chad Lewis who was coming off a big game against Atlanta will be replaced by second year man L.J Smith.
The Patriot injured list is one we are familiar with. Law and Poole are out but the secondary has long since recovered from those losses. Richard Seymour has had two more full weeks to recover and may be a go however not having Seymour against a crushing Steeler ground game did not hurt the Pats, it is unlikely to against the Eagles.
One Eagle that will have to be accounted for at all times is the “Freak” Jevon Kearse. We have seen him before in big games against the Titans and know enough not to let him rush and pursue. He is simply to good and athlete to be allowed to wreak havoc. Matt Light will have the assignment to protect Brady’s blind side against Kearse. Look for Daniel Graham to be helping make sure Kearse is not a factor. In the rushing game we might see them running right at him to neutralize his speed.
Philadelphia has finally made it to the big game but this is not their year. Look for the Patriots to dominate in all aspects of this game and come out a winner 24 to 6.
