Super Bowl XXXIX

Eagles +7 OVER Patriots

The two best teams in football meet in Jacksonville tonight to determine who will reign as the 2004-05 champion. These two teams are very evenly matched, and despite the 7 point spread this game may very well be much closer. But at the same time, it could be over after the first quarter. If the Eagles come out flat, it'll be a long day...it'll be NFC championship game part IV - just in Jacksonville instead of Philly. If Andy Reid reverts back to his conservative, playing not to lose instead of to win game plan that cost the Eagles at least 2 of the last 3 NFC titles, the Patriots will win in a walk. But if Philly comes out the way they did against Atlanta, it should be a good close game. And look for Reid to throw a few wrinkles in there - if #5 catches a pass don't be too surprised. Brian Westbrook provides a mismatch that has to be the focus of Belichick's defensive game plan. The Vikings and Falcons both knew they had to stop Westbrook to be able to win - neither did. Belichick has seen this and chances are he won't let it happen to his team. But with Westbrook being so versatile, it may be tough to cover every scenario - running, slot, wide. If I'm the Eagles, I line up Pinkston, Greg Lewis, and Freddie Mitchell on one side and Owens and Westbrook on the other and see how New England's beat up secondary handles that. Another key for the Eagles - McNabb has to RUN. He has been reluctant to do so, but if the opportunity presents itself he can't pass it up. TO is questionable - Reid's gameplan will not look to TO to carry the weight -, the Pats will be focusing on Westbrook, and the rest of the Eagles receivers are far from a sure thing. McNabb has to make things happen on the ground and exploit those opportunities. If it comes down to a kick, I like Akers just as much as Vinateri. So he hasn't made a kick in the snow, or had the Super Bowl experience but he's a player and the toughest and most accurate kicker out there. The Eagles Pro-Bowl secondary will have to press the receivers to shut down the Pats throwing attack. Brady is so good at getting rid of the ball that the Eagles cannot give the receivers any cushion underneath. And Brady will have his hands full with Jim Johnson's array of blitz packages. With Jeremiah Trotter in the middle, the Eagles should at least be able to contain Dillon. If Philly let's Dillon establish the run which will then allow Brady an effective play action attack - then they will be in trouble. I'm going with the EAGLES on this one, but I wouldn't be surprised if Rodney Harrison put Freddie Mitchell on a stretcher before the day is done. Eagles 27-24.