The New England defense are expected to cause problems for QB Jake Delhomme and Carolina's passing game. But Carolina's offense starts with the run, and the Panthers threw just 14 times in their 14-3 win over Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game, only three times in the second half. Stephen Davis is the NFC's best powerback and should be probable for today's Super Bowl from a pulled thigh muscle he injured before the NFC divisional game against the Rams. Former UCLA Bruin RB DeShaun Foster should be a factor as the backup and gives the Panthers outside speed. Prediction: Panthers over Patriots by 7 Sorry, Prof.
Sorry, yourself. Pats had, IIRC, the best run defense in the AFC, if not the NFL, this past year. It's been widely publicized Carolina is a one-front team with the run. Passes more than a couple of yards are few and far between with Delhomme. True, the same can occasionally be said about Brady, but Brady completes nearly every single pass he throws to the side to Givens or Brown. Combine that with the special-teams dominance the Patriots have shown game-in, game-out (with the notable exception of Ken Walter), and the Pats could potentially break the SuperBowl record of a 36 point difference. If everything clicks for the Pats, and with a two-week SuperBowl if could very well do so, the Pats will run roughshod on the Cats. Prediction: Pats 24, Cats 10 Realistic Hope: Pats 38, Cats 3
That's not true. When they throw, they tend to go down the field; Dan Henning is the OC after all. There was an interesting factoid, that the Panthers had more 20+ yard pass plays than some team with an explosive offense that you'd never, ever guess had fewer big passing plays than the Panthers. I think it was the Colts. The main reason I pick the Patriots is that I can only think of one way the Panthers win in a blowout...namely, the very small chance that Brady either is awful or gets hurt. There are several Patriot blowout scenarios. And 2 week SBs tend to be blowouts.
One part of me says Pats 16-9 in a struggle. Another part of me sees the Pats pull away in the fourth quarter and winning by 17. I need to add this: Stephen Davis is a big, bruising back. The Pats usually eat these guys alive, or at least prevent them from doing a much damage. It's the shifty backs like Priest Holmes and Clinton Portis that hurt the Pats. As long as the CB not named Ty Law (Poole, Samuel) can hold their own with Smith and Muhammad, I don't see Carolina doing much with their passing game either.
I was disappointed that the Panthers threw the ball on 3rd and 3 on their first drive; they should have run it, or thrown a wide receiver screen. But Vinatieri choked, so it's OK.
The Panthers need to go up the field on first down sometime. But they'll need field position to try it.
Not the greatest hold. But I still can't believe he missed it. Pats NEED at least 3 on this drive. You're not going to get this great field position forever.
Fook. That reverse fooled NOBODY. Don't ask me what they were thinking there. And I get an ulcer everytime Ken Walter punts, but it's working so far.
As this play was unfolding, I was like, please God let this not be a fake reverse. Yay, we got a first down!! I think the Panthers are gonna have to try to run wide, which means Deshaun Foster, which means, maybe, fumbles.
Even if it was, I'm not sure Witherspoon doesn't go across the field and nail Faulk/Brady for a loss.
Geez, I thought soccer was the sport that was supposed to be boring. Bill Parcells and his possession game disciples are killing the sport.
First Quarter ends: Not much bend in either defense. Maybe 16-9 was too high of a prediction. Antowain Smith has had a couple of good 7-9 yard runs which is encouraging. I'd feel a lot better right now if Vinatieri had made that FG. Something about Reliant Stadium. And a lousy hold. Even I'm pleasantly surprised at how little Carolina has done when they've had the ball.
Well, the Panthers have some field position. Let's see what happens. I'm beginning to wonder if the final score might not be 2-0, after 17 overtimes.
Yeah but over turning the spot would be next to impossible. The camera angles used are inconclusive to be able to determine how far forward he got. I think they should have spotted it correctly right after the play. No doubt he got popped behind the line.
That guy coaches the Pats' special teams used to do it for the Panthers. Justice is served after the ref messed up that spot on 4th down. But, the Panthers just can't move the ball. So they're gonna lose.
That looked like just a great play by Burton on the block. But Givens has to catch that ball. I usually like Digiorno but it didn't go down well right now. Talk about letting a team who hasn't done much hang around.
Twice. Time to change the play calling, Charlie. Maybe not on that kick either. Good play by Burton to get free, but a low kick. I have no clue what's wrong with Vinatieri today.