Dave2112
Level of Cherry Feather
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So, after all the hoopla and head-to-head competition, it's down to the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers. The Team of Destiny vs. the Cinderella Team.
First off, I'm glad Carolina made it. The NFC was not all that strong this year, and Carolina was the only team in the playoffs that actually played like they belonged there (ok, Seattle played a good game, too...but it's not time yet) Had Philly pulled off some crazy comeback, this whole week would be filled with "what-ifs". Philly choked, St. Louis choked and Dallas was outplayed in every way.
New England, on the other hand, was pretty much predetermined to be here since about Week 11. So, how do they match up?
Quarterbacks go to New England. Brady's not flashy or high-tech, but he has experience. However, Jake Delhomme is an unknown factor surrounded by a good cast. Brady is smarter, Jake may have a talent edge.
Receivers are better for Carolina. Steve Smith is a real deep threat (something the Pats don't really have) and Mushin Muhammed is reliable underneath.
Running backs also favor the Panthers. New England's Antowain Smith cannot expect to get much against Carolina's front seven, but Foster and Davis are known to break big gains against formidable defenses.
As mentioned, the front seven of the defense belongs to Carolina, while the secondary is the strength of New England's vaunted defense. Ty Law should grab at least two of Jake Delhomme's passes if the line can get pressure on him.
Kickers are about even.
So, who's going to win? Sometimes you have to look past stats, records and tendencies and take a look at history. Two years ago, New England came into the Super Bowl as a Cinderella team and managed to knock off the heavily favored Rams. The Ravens came out of nowhere to win, the Rams blindsided the entire NFL in '99, the Falcons knocked off the 15-1 Vikings to make the Big Game and John Elway's Broncos pulled off the impossible and beat the Green Bay machine. Now it's New England's turn to play the big, bad monster as Carolina looks for a place in NFL history. They are already the most successful expansion team (at least the fastest) and have won convincingly against superior opponents.
They call them "Cinderalla Teams" for a reason. Cinderella had a happy ending. I'm taking Carolina over New England...21-17.
First off, I'm glad Carolina made it. The NFC was not all that strong this year, and Carolina was the only team in the playoffs that actually played like they belonged there (ok, Seattle played a good game, too...but it's not time yet) Had Philly pulled off some crazy comeback, this whole week would be filled with "what-ifs". Philly choked, St. Louis choked and Dallas was outplayed in every way.
New England, on the other hand, was pretty much predetermined to be here since about Week 11. So, how do they match up?
Quarterbacks go to New England. Brady's not flashy or high-tech, but he has experience. However, Jake Delhomme is an unknown factor surrounded by a good cast. Brady is smarter, Jake may have a talent edge.
Receivers are better for Carolina. Steve Smith is a real deep threat (something the Pats don't really have) and Mushin Muhammed is reliable underneath.
Running backs also favor the Panthers. New England's Antowain Smith cannot expect to get much against Carolina's front seven, but Foster and Davis are known to break big gains against formidable defenses.
As mentioned, the front seven of the defense belongs to Carolina, while the secondary is the strength of New England's vaunted defense. Ty Law should grab at least two of Jake Delhomme's passes if the line can get pressure on him.
Kickers are about even.
So, who's going to win? Sometimes you have to look past stats, records and tendencies and take a look at history. Two years ago, New England came into the Super Bowl as a Cinderella team and managed to knock off the heavily favored Rams. The Ravens came out of nowhere to win, the Rams blindsided the entire NFL in '99, the Falcons knocked off the 15-1 Vikings to make the Big Game and John Elway's Broncos pulled off the impossible and beat the Green Bay machine. Now it's New England's turn to play the big, bad monster as Carolina looks for a place in NFL history. They are already the most successful expansion team (at least the fastest) and have won convincingly against superior opponents.
They call them "Cinderalla Teams" for a reason. Cinderella had a happy ending. I'm taking Carolina over New England...21-17.
