Eagles in the Super Bowl

Philadelphia is finally back in the Super Bowl. How happy the fans must be, oh wait, they're never happy. To begin, I will say one thing about Terrell Owens. If he doesn't play in the game after all of his talking and all of the journalists talking about it; people will be quite disappointed. Remember in Coyote Ugly when all of the promos had Tyra Banks looking like she was a star in this movie, only to have her be in it for all of about 10 minutes? She was easily the most recognizable name in that movie, and while T.O. isn't necessarily the most recognizable player for the Eagles, this is quite comparable.

Anyway, Philly needs to come out early in this game and hit the Patriots right in the mouth. I'm talking either (depending on who gets the ball first) a 3 and out on defense or a sustained drive, something like 12 plays for 65+ yards and a touchdown. A field goal won't get it done. This will prove to the Patriots that the Eagles are more than just happy to be at the game and expect they can win. What it will also do is prove to the Eagles that they are more than happy to be at the game and expect they can win. After this happens, tough defense and adding at least 10 more points by halftime is going to be key. So, how can they do this?

Andy Reid no doubt knows if he plays his cards right, he can beat this Patriot team. If I was him, I'd say, "I don't care about playing tight in the first quarter to feel them out. We're not expected to win, if we go down, we go down hard." I want to see them going deep, throwing the ball all over the field, taking chances on defense, going for it on fourth down when it is even a little bit reasonable, and pulling out all of their tricks. Sure, they might get destroyed, but everyone expects that will happen anyway, and if they catch the Patriots a little off guard 2 or 3 times, we've got an upset on our hands.

Seriously, doesn't anyone else get the same feelings about this game as they did in 2002, in the Pats/Rams Super Bowl? The Rams were supposed to destroy the Patriots, but New England took a lead, held it, and then had one last drive to win the game. Don't think it can't happen this year.

What do the Eagles need to do to win? It's simple. McNabb needs to have the best game of his career. In the three biggest games of his career (prior to this season), the NFC Championship games, he was a combined 54-101, for 514 yards, 1 touchdown and 5 interceptions. He also only ran the ball 9 times for 53 yards and 1 touchdown. He was a little better this year throwing for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17-26 passing, with 32 yards rushing against the Falcons. He needs to do better than this to beat the Patriots. Anything less than 18-30 for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and the Eagles will go home unhappy.

McNabb is the only player on the Eagles who can single handedly win this game for them. He has become a much better player by learning when to throw the ball, when to run, and when to just throw it away. He needs to pick up a few first downs with his feet to keep the talented Patriots linebackers thinking about him.

Brian Westbrook will be the x-factor for the Eagles. If he can gain over 200 total yards, rushing, receiving, and returning, the Eagles have a good chance of winning the game. He needs to attack the Patriots defense and get to the outside. He can't get discouraged with a few one or two yards runs, because he will eventually break one of over 20 yards, especially if he can get to the secondary, and away from Rodney Harrison.

Obviously the defense can't allow Brady to sit back in the pocket and pick them apart. He also doesn't seem to get flustered when he is pressured heavily (save for that December game at Miami), so it is tough to defense this guy. The biggest thing is for them to stop Corey Dillon. If the Eagles can make the Patriots be one dimensional, and make Brady beat them, Philly has the secondary to make the plays to win. Although, Brady is a two time Super Bowl MVP, so he obviously can beat you.

Do I think Philly can win? Yes. Do I think they will? You'll have to wait until tomorrow for my early prediction, and then Sunday right before the game for my game-time prediction. New England preview tomorrow.

-Until next time...