Patriots in the Super Bowl

Believe it or not, I have less to say about the defending Super Bowl Champions than I did the team they are playing against. New England has been so good over the past 3 seasons there really isn't much I can say about this team that hasn't been said already, or that people don't already know. The team plays well together, is coached well, expects to win, and doesn't make mistakes. What more is there to say?

Well, for starters, let's start out with this Belichick genius thing. Sure, we all know he was a coordinator under Parcells in the '80s and didn't do much of anything being the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991-1995. In fact, he compiled a very pedestrian 36-44 record in those years, and if it wasn't for an 11-5 season in 1994, the record would have been much worse. His start in New England wasn't even that good; he was 5-11 in his first season and got beaten 31-0 in the opening game the next season. Of course, that's when Bledsoe got hurt, Brady stepped in, everything clicked and the team is on the verge of going down in history as one of the greatest. Belichick has surrounded himself with people who can execute his scheme flawlessly. His coordinators come up with great plans and the team follows these plans perfectly and often follows them to victory. Say what you want about the man, but he has gone 48-16 over the past four seasons, including going 8-0 in the playoffs with 2 Super Bowl Titles. We will see if he is the genius people like to call him if the Patriots can win this game and continue their success next season, as both coordinators will be gone.

I know a lot of Packers fans who really do not like Tom Brady. I don't know if it is because he went to Michigan, or if it is because they don't want anyone to be compared to Brett Favre, but for whatever reason, a lot of Packer fans don't like Brady. While I won't call him a great quarterback yet, I will say he has been great when he has needed to be. How can you have bad things to say about a quarterback who is undefeated in the playoffs and has 2 rings already in his career? He doesn't talk about his game and seems content with winning, no matter his stats. On Sunday, he will have to do exactly what he has done in his two previous Super Bowl appearances; take what is given to him and not turn the ball over. The Eagles secondary is very good. They will force Tom Brady to make good decisions and will make him pay if he doesn't. Brady has proved he doesn't easily get flustered by defenses and will just do what he needs to do to get his team a victory. In two Super Bowls, Brady is a combined 48 of 75 for 499 yards, 4 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Good stats for any two game stretch, but great stats for two Super Bowls. Brady needs to throw for over 200 yards to take pressure off of Dillon, get at least 2 touchdowns passing, and no more than 1 interception.

Speaking of Corey Dillon; he will be big in his first Super Bowl. He has been a great addition for this team all season. A much better back than Antowain Smith, and will be a center piece of the Patriots attack. He will be used to keep the Eagles secondary alert for the run, so New England can use the play-action pass effectively. For this to work, Dillon needs over 120 yards for the game; so Brady can focus down-field with the safties hopefully cheating up. Dillon will also probably need to have about 8 catches out of the backfield, because the wide-outs will be covered by the Eagles secondary. Having a gifted receiver out of the backfield will put even more pressure on the Eagles defense, and will allow the Patriots to attack downfield more often. The Patriots also will need at least 1 touchdown running from Dillon to win the game.

As for the defense, I have no doubt this defense will take away the strengths of the Eagles offense (McNabb running, Westbrook, and Owens). Why? Because they always have taken the opponents game plan and thwarted it. Obviously, the defense cannot allow McNabb to sit in the pocket and pick apart an injured secondary, nor can they allow for McNabb to pull the ball down and run all over them. The linebackers are probably across the board the most talented set in the NFL. They need to dominate their area of the field to take away Westbrook and McNabb's ability to run. If they don't allow a rushing touchdown all game, the Patriots will definitely win.

Considering I had a hard time writting this column without just stating how much I think the Patriots are going to win; I will just do that now. They are simply a more talented team. Nothing that has happened this season or the past two weeks makes me think the Eagles will win this game. They could, I just don't see it happening. I'm sick of Freddie Mitchell's untalented thinking he's talented self talking all the time, I'm sick of the T.O. crap, I'm sick of all of the sports reports about and from the Super Bowl, I'm sick of it all; I'm ready for the game.

My early prediction: Patriots 31 Eagles 17.

And yes, the Patriots are a dynasty after Sunday, and no, Brady isn't a lock for Canton after Sunday.

-Until next time...