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Super Bowl XXXIX Recap

I'm going to start with part of a column published by Bill Simmons "The Sports Guy" and avid Patriots fan from ESPN.com :
"There's a way for the Eagles to win this game; I'm just not sure they can pull it off. Offensively, they need to play fearlessly -- keep chucking the ball downfield and hoping McNabb's improvisational skills become the biggest X-factor in the game. During the entire Belichick-Brady run, offenses have succeeded against the Pats in one particular way -- by dictating the pace of the game, usually with a no-huddle offense, and forcing the Patriots to keep the same 11 guys on the field, without the benefit of switching up personnel and formations. That's how Carolina clawed back into last year's Super Bowl. That's how the Rams clawed back into Super Bowl 36. That's how the Colts nearly rallied in the 2004 AFC title game, and that's how Miami shocked the Pats in Week 15."
Well, not only did Andy Reid revert to his conservative in big-games play-calling ; with five minutes left in the game and down by 24-14 the Eagles took 30 seconds to call each play. It would appear that Reid had no hurry-up offense prepared - there is really no other explanation. Aside from the atrocious time management in the waning minutes of the game, it was an absolutely awful job of preparation on Reid's part. For one of the "best coaches of his day" this was inexcusable. One would think that going into the Super Bowl, a coach would watch tape of games where their opponent either lost or was on the ropes. And as Simmons pointed out before the Super Bowl, whenever the Pats have been in trouble, it has been the no huddle offense that has done the trick. Bill Belichick is one of the most meticulous coaches to ever stroll the NFL sidelines. He makes sure each and every player on the field is the player he wants at that position for that exact play. The no huddle does not give him that option. He's stuck with whoever is on the field. The Eagles would have to run the no huddle, find the weakness in the defense (not to mention the middle was open all game) and expolit it play after play. But this is signature Andy Reid playcalling. Look at big games against tough teams. With Reid calling the plays, the Eagles cannot play from behind. Pittsburgh, Carolina, Tampa Bay - all jumped on the Eagles early - all easily handled Reid's conservative play-calling the rest of the way.
Donovan McNabb didn't necessarily play a bad game, but he by no means played a great game either. I'll let him slide on that last INT - they didnt really have a chance at their own 3 with 30 seconds left. But some of his passes weren't even close: Brian Westbrook cut perfectly and if McNabb puts that ball in the back left corner of the endzone, Philly gets seven points. Instead McNabb underthrew Westbrook by 5 yards and it landed nicely in the hands of Rodney Harrison. The second interception wasn't any prettier - a strike that hit Teddy Bruschi right in the numbers.
Other notable performances : Terrell Owens - unbelievable. The man was playing on a broken leg and caught 9 passes for 122 yards. TO showed early he would be much more than a distraction when on his first reception he caught a seven yard out and stiff armed a would be tackler before going out of bounds. Todd Pinkston also had a good game, making a Willie Mays like spectacular catch down the middle and totaling 4 receptions for 82 yards. Keep in mind this is a guy who was catching all kinds of flack nationally and locally for shying away from the middle - he came to play. The same cannot be said of the loudest and most obnoxious Eagle Freddie Mitchell. 1 catch for 11 yards pathetic. The three words Philadelphia fans will continue to hear until at least January : Maybe next year.

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.