Super Bowl primer: It's OK to pick the Eagles
Wed Feb 2, 3:04 PM ET
By Vinnie Iyer - Sporting News
With the Primer already having more than a week to surround himself with the hype surrounding Super Bowl 39, I have found it's easy to question all the typical questions about the big game. For example:
Q: "If the Patriots win again, should they be considered a dynasty?"
A: The dictionary definition of dynasty is "a powerful group that maintains its position for a considerable time." Gee, that isn't at all vague. Funny, it doesn't even mention how many Super Bowls a team must win in a span of four years to qualify. Besides, the Shang set an impossible early standard for dynasties by ruling China for 673 years.
I will say this about the Pats: Even if they don't win their third Super Bowl, they are one of the best teams the NFL has ever seen, with a great coach and a clutch quarterback. Can't we just leave it at that and enjoy how they play?
Q: "T.O., or not T.O.?"
A: For one night only at Alltel Stadium, it's Terrell Owens starring in a one-man production of Hamlet -- the Eagles just hope he'll be holding a helmet instead of a skull come kickoff.
I don't think the Eagles' chances ride entirely on Owens being healthy enough to play well. Donovan McNabb has been in a zone all season, and he will make their passing game go, no matter where his slings and arrows go.
Q: "How can you bet against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady"?
A: I seem to think many who are asking this question didn't think the Patriots had much of a chance against the Rams in Super Bowl 36. The oddsmakers favor the Pats by six to seven points, yet the Pats won each of their two Super Bowls by last-minute field goals. I tend to think the Eagles will do more than just cover on Sunday.
GAME OF THE SEASON
I know what I'm up against in picking the Eagles. The Patriots have been there, done that twice. They have Belichick, Brady and a defense anchored by Tedy Bruschi and other savvy playmakers. They have overcome every schematic and personnel challenge possible to get where they are.
I wouldn't pick any other team except Philadelphia to knock off the defending champs. It takes a special coach, a special quarterback and special playmakers for a team to even have a chance. Jake Delhomme and John Fox had the Panthers believing at this time last year. McNabb and Andy Reid will turn that belief into reality for the Eagles.
The Eagles don't need to play a perfect game -- they just need to stay aggressive on both sides of the ball.
The Patriots will have success early with their power running game, pounding Corey Dillon between the tackles. Philadelphia's defense will give up some chunks of yardage, but coordinator Jim Johnson's unit will limit the damage on the scoreboard.
Johnson likes to blitz, but with the way ends Jevon Kearse and Derrick Burgess are playing, he will be selective when he brings extra defenders. Safeties Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis will be his knights, moving all around the field.
Brady burns defenses that blitz often and provide his quick wide receivers with consistently favorable single coverage. So Dawkins and Lewis will be used more in run support against Dillon when they creep up. When they read pass, they will go back to provide help for cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.
Dillon often will put New England in favorable down-and-distances, but the Eagles' good tackling will stop the Pats from getting big runs and long pass plays. Wideouts Deion Branch and David Givens have the quickness to make sizeable gains after the catch, so Dawkins and Lewis also need to be hard-hitting intimidators. It's hard to contain both Dillon and Brady, but they will be limited to good rather than great performances.
McNabb has had a great season with his complete transformation to an always- passing quarterback. He remains a threat to take off downfield for a key first down, but he is now more dangerous with how he can run around behind the line of scrimmage. He already gets rid of the ball quickly in Reid and Brad Childress' West Coast passing game, so buying a few extra seconds with his feet can lead to 20 more yards with his arm.
The Patriots excel at confusing quarterbacks, but McNabb does his share of befuddling pass rushers and defensive backs with his elusiveness and much approved accuracy. What Brady has in big-game success, McNabb can match with his athleticism and similar experience and leadership qualities.
Running/receiving back Brian Westbrook also will be a new challenge for Belichick and Romeo Crennel's coverage and blitz schemes. Although the Patriots' front seven works best when going upfield, moving laterally and making tackles, their linebackers aren't the speediest in getting downfield. Westbrook should be limited in the screen game, but his biggest plays should come from when he lines out wide.
McNabb can't afford to key in on Westbrook -- that's a tendency Belichick will exploit. McNabb needs to continue to spread the ball around. Wide receivers Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell need to help him out with a few clean releases at the line. When tight end L.J. Smith goes over the middle, he needs to hold on to the ball. It's also important for the Eagles to continue to take their shots downfield with Greg Lewis and mix in a little power running with Dorsey Levens to keep the Patriots' defense guessing.
As for Owens, I don't expect him to be the dominant, double-team drawing, daunting downfield receiver he is when completely healthy. If he plays, he probably will see time in key down-and-distance situations and near the goal line. If he can at least draw physical coverage away from Pinkston and Mitchell, that will be a huge boost for the Eagles.
Let me repeat: The Patriots won't do anything to beat themselves with turnovers and other mistakes. They will play their typical great game for four quarters. I just like the Eagles to play a complete game that's only a mere field goal better.
It should be a memorable Super Bowl, because it features two talented, balanced and well-coached teams that will take it down to the wire with -- surprise -- David Akers' left foot winning it. Eagles 27, Patriots 24.
Vinnie Iyer is the NFL projects editor for Sporting News. Email him at [email protected].
Wed Feb 2, 3:04 PM ET
By Vinnie Iyer - Sporting News
With the Primer already having more than a week to surround himself with the hype surrounding Super Bowl 39, I have found it's easy to question all the typical questions about the big game. For example:
Q: "If the Patriots win again, should they be considered a dynasty?"
A: The dictionary definition of dynasty is "a powerful group that maintains its position for a considerable time." Gee, that isn't at all vague. Funny, it doesn't even mention how many Super Bowls a team must win in a span of four years to qualify. Besides, the Shang set an impossible early standard for dynasties by ruling China for 673 years.
I will say this about the Pats: Even if they don't win their third Super Bowl, they are one of the best teams the NFL has ever seen, with a great coach and a clutch quarterback. Can't we just leave it at that and enjoy how they play?
Q: "T.O., or not T.O.?"
A: For one night only at Alltel Stadium, it's Terrell Owens starring in a one-man production of Hamlet -- the Eagles just hope he'll be holding a helmet instead of a skull come kickoff.
I don't think the Eagles' chances ride entirely on Owens being healthy enough to play well. Donovan McNabb has been in a zone all season, and he will make their passing game go, no matter where his slings and arrows go.
Q: "How can you bet against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady"?
A: I seem to think many who are asking this question didn't think the Patriots had much of a chance against the Rams in Super Bowl 36. The oddsmakers favor the Pats by six to seven points, yet the Pats won each of their two Super Bowls by last-minute field goals. I tend to think the Eagles will do more than just cover on Sunday.
GAME OF THE SEASON
I know what I'm up against in picking the Eagles. The Patriots have been there, done that twice. They have Belichick, Brady and a defense anchored by Tedy Bruschi and other savvy playmakers. They have overcome every schematic and personnel challenge possible to get where they are.
I wouldn't pick any other team except Philadelphia to knock off the defending champs. It takes a special coach, a special quarterback and special playmakers for a team to even have a chance. Jake Delhomme and John Fox had the Panthers believing at this time last year. McNabb and Andy Reid will turn that belief into reality for the Eagles.
The Eagles don't need to play a perfect game -- they just need to stay aggressive on both sides of the ball.
The Patriots will have success early with their power running game, pounding Corey Dillon between the tackles. Philadelphia's defense will give up some chunks of yardage, but coordinator Jim Johnson's unit will limit the damage on the scoreboard.
Johnson likes to blitz, but with the way ends Jevon Kearse and Derrick Burgess are playing, he will be selective when he brings extra defenders. Safeties Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis will be his knights, moving all around the field.
Brady burns defenses that blitz often and provide his quick wide receivers with consistently favorable single coverage. So Dawkins and Lewis will be used more in run support against Dillon when they creep up. When they read pass, they will go back to provide help for cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.
Dillon often will put New England in favorable down-and-distances, but the Eagles' good tackling will stop the Pats from getting big runs and long pass plays. Wideouts Deion Branch and David Givens have the quickness to make sizeable gains after the catch, so Dawkins and Lewis also need to be hard-hitting intimidators. It's hard to contain both Dillon and Brady, but they will be limited to good rather than great performances.
McNabb has had a great season with his complete transformation to an always- passing quarterback. He remains a threat to take off downfield for a key first down, but he is now more dangerous with how he can run around behind the line of scrimmage. He already gets rid of the ball quickly in Reid and Brad Childress' West Coast passing game, so buying a few extra seconds with his feet can lead to 20 more yards with his arm.
The Patriots excel at confusing quarterbacks, but McNabb does his share of befuddling pass rushers and defensive backs with his elusiveness and much approved accuracy. What Brady has in big-game success, McNabb can match with his athleticism and similar experience and leadership qualities.
Running/receiving back Brian Westbrook also will be a new challenge for Belichick and Romeo Crennel's coverage and blitz schemes. Although the Patriots' front seven works best when going upfield, moving laterally and making tackles, their linebackers aren't the speediest in getting downfield. Westbrook should be limited in the screen game, but his biggest plays should come from when he lines out wide.
McNabb can't afford to key in on Westbrook -- that's a tendency Belichick will exploit. McNabb needs to continue to spread the ball around. Wide receivers Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell need to help him out with a few clean releases at the line. When tight end L.J. Smith goes over the middle, he needs to hold on to the ball. It's also important for the Eagles to continue to take their shots downfield with Greg Lewis and mix in a little power running with Dorsey Levens to keep the Patriots' defense guessing.
As for Owens, I don't expect him to be the dominant, double-team drawing, daunting downfield receiver he is when completely healthy. If he plays, he probably will see time in key down-and-distance situations and near the goal line. If he can at least draw physical coverage away from Pinkston and Mitchell, that will be a huge boost for the Eagles.
Let me repeat: The Patriots won't do anything to beat themselves with turnovers and other mistakes. They will play their typical great game for four quarters. I just like the Eagles to play a complete game that's only a mere field goal better.
It should be a memorable Super Bowl, because it features two talented, balanced and well-coached teams that will take it down to the wire with -- surprise -- David Akers' left foot winning it. Eagles 27, Patriots 24.
Vinnie Iyer is the NFL projects editor for Sporting News. Email him at [email protected].
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