What a game! The first quarter started with both defenses playing very well, McNabb got hit early and the Pats were flat, unable to come up with a first down. Philly's blitz was terrific.
2nd quarter, Philly got it going with the first score, followed soon afterward by a Pats TD. Defenses were still playing pretty well.
3rd quarter, Pats must have learned something as they marched with relative ease to the end zone. Brian Westbrook scored for the Eagles and the game was tied again...
4th quarter, Dillon scores early to make the lead 7 points, Vinatieri adds 3 points to make it a ten point lead....McNabb leads a drive down the field to get the Eagles 7, but eats up WAYYYY too much clock time. A brutal onside kick attempt seals the deal. A Josh Miller punt adds insult to injury as McNabb has to toss one up the middle, right into the waiting arms of Rodney Harrison.
So what was the difference? I thought the Pats could have had 3 or 4 guys as the MVP. Bruschi, Harrison and Corey Dillon were all standouts, as well as Branch, of course. McNabb had a ton of yards, but the last 5 minutes of the 4th he showed little urgency and poor clock management (maybe thats more of a coaching error?) or it may have been an even more interesting finish. My least favourite player in the league, Terrell Owens, earned my respect with a great game. He had more heart than the rest of his team combined.
I think coaching ended up being the difference, as alot of people thought it would. Neither of the quarterbacks were outstanding, but McNabbs INTs stand out as a big problem, whereas Brady just couldn't get a rythym early, but made plays when they counted the most.
Great season, a decent Superbowl game (I also loved the halftime show, McCartney still has it after 40+ years) and a well earned dynasty tag for New England.
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