New England Patriots...

[habernac]

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.

[Sylvanfan]

Terrell Owens, earned my respect with a great game. He had more heart than the rest of his team combined.

I completely agree with that. I always figured TO to be all about himself, and a guy who would be more concerned with drawing a paycheque for the next 5 years than trying to be a champion. But he went against orders for the chance and was the Eagles best offensive player. I still think he's a bit of a tool, but I have a lot more respect for him today.

Why is New England so good?? I think the fact that they ran the ball on third and 5 knowing they'd likely have to give the ball back to the Eagles to purposefully eat up clock. A lot of teams may not have the confidence in their defence and special teams to risk not going for the first down on that play. Instead they pin the Eagles inside the 5 on a play where a lot of punters and special teams units would screw up and punt it into the End zone. With 65 yards to go, backed up into their own end zone and no timeouts left the Eagles had no chance.

[Bill Bumface]

The clock management by Philadelphia was disgusting, they blew the game on their last TD drive by taking a nice slow huddle before every play. Then, on their final drive of the game, they catch the ball on the line of scrimmage with no timeouts left? Bat it down! Ugh. McNabb just looked clued out for most of the game, too bad.

[the_only_turek_fan]

I think that this whole Dynasty thing is way hyped.

3 championships in 4 years is amazing in this day and age, but when I think of a dynasty I think of the Islander's 4 straight Stanley Cups, or Montreal winning 5 straight, or even the big bad Oil winning 5 in 7 years.

Is 3/4 good enough for them to be declared a dynasty? I am not sure about that.

If they win it next year in my mind they will be a true dynasty and even if they dont, this Pats run of 4 years will still be simply amazing.

[habernac]

Originally posted by the_only_turek_fan@Feb 7 2005, 07:22 PM
I think that this whole Dynasty thing is way hyped.

3 championships in 4 years is amazing in this day and age, but when I think of a dynasty I think of the Islander's 4 straight Stanley Cups, or Montreal winning 5 straight, or even the big bad Oil winning 5 in 7 years.

Is 3/4 good enough for them to be declared a dynasty? I am not sure about that.

If they win it next year in my mind they will be a true dynasty and even if they dont, this Pats run of 4 years will still be simply amazing.

The Habs, Islanders and Oilers didn't have to deal with free agency and a salary cap. That's what makes this even more special.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Being a die hard pats fan, my bias gets in the way of me calling them a dynasty, but I will call them a dynastym what they have done in this day and age is soooo bloody impressive. Tom Brady is money, Tedy Bruschi is a rock and Rodney Harrison is a dawg