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Super Bowl XXXVIII
Since the old thread got deleted, I decided to make a new Super Bowl thread. It's this Sunday, both teams are in Houston now, and the stage is slowly being set.
You can check out my in-depth analysis here, but here's a quick rundown of what I think you should watch for.
Rodney Harrison
When Bill Belichick released Lawyer Milloy a week before New England's opening game, people wondered why he made the move and who he would sign to take the defensive leader's place. Enter Harrison.
Just like in his days with San Diego, Harrison has proven to be the jack-of-all-trades at safety. Whether it's punishing hits on the quarterback or solid coverage, Harrison gives the Patriots a very versatile player.
Carolina's defensive line vs. New England's offensive line
They've gotten a lot of credit for their performance this year, and with good reason. Rucker, Peppers, Buckner and Jenkins provide the Panthers with a great mix of power and speed. The Patriots haven't given up a sack since Week 17, though, and so this matchup will be very important to the game's outcome.
Bethel Johnson and Ricky Proehl
Johnson stands as New England's fourth receiver and main return man, but I have a gut feeling he might play an important role in Brady's passing game. The main reason is his breakneck speed, having been hailed as the fastest man in the NFL. Against a suspect Carolina secondary, Brady might try to use this to his advantage.
Most people remember Proehl as a hero from the Greatest Show on Turf in St. Louis. He caught the pass that sent the Rams to the first of their two Super Bowls in 1999, and that kind of experience on such a stage might be something John Fox will rely on. Don't be surprised if Fox calls Proehl's number if the game is on the line.
Enough of what I think, what about you? Any predictions on the final score? Game MVP? Things that might happen? Let it be known, so that you can say you called it later.
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Well I want Carolina to win. If anything I think New england will murder the first 3 quarters and Carolina will come back the 4th....thats if Carolina wins. I would like to see tied at 2 minute warning in th 4th but no overtime. I think Carolina will throw alot of interceptions too.
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I've already posted both my analysis' one general and one in-depth. I do not have the time nor the patience to retype it all, but I will say this. If Carolina wins, I will be surprised, but not shocked. These are two very deserving teams to be here and it will be a great game.
I predict NE 17/14 CAR
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Right, watch out for Proehl, he's a real playmaker. :rolleyes2
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I have this horrible feeling that it will be a boring Super Bowl. I don't want it to be, but I can't shake the feeling.
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Panthers are just a'ight with me and I could give a damn about the patriots. Its already a boring super bowl.
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I don't think NE can stop Carolina's rushing attack. Carolina wins, 24-13
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I have this horrible feeling that it will be a boring Super Bowl. I don't want it to be, but I can't shake the feeling. --Sephex
Pretty sure I said so in the old thread: it always is a boring Superbowl. It's the most boring game of the year. And I refuse to watch the commercials.
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Unne's a party pooper.
I'll be at the pub watching the game. I'm not a psycho football fan, so I won't make any predictions. I do have a bias for New England though, so I'll pick that for no reason.
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I want Carolina to win, but I don't think they will. I'm flat out stumped on the winner of the line battles (CAR def vs. NE off), because both of them are so great. But I think it will be a 17-14 New England win.
BOX SCORE:
Score: NE 17 CAR 14
Total Offense: NE 312 CAR 294
Passing Yds: NE 235 CAR 201
Rushing: NE 24-77 CAR 21-93
Turnovers: NE 1 CAR 2
INT: NE 1-24 CAR 1-0
Return Yards: NE 84 CAR 95
Sacks (given up): NE 2 CAR 3
TOP: NE 31:04 CAR 28:56
INDIVIDUAL:
PASSING
New England: T.Brady 21-33 249-2TD, 1INT
Carolina: J.Delhomme: 16-31 219-1TD, 1INT
RUSHING
New England: A.Smith 18/62, K.Faulk 4-10, Brady 2-5
Carolina: S.Davis 15-68 (1 TD), D.Foster 4-20 (1 FUM), Hoover 2-4
RECEIVING
New England: T.Brown 5-53, D.Branch 4-52 (1 TD), D.Givens 4-48, B.Johnson 4-69 (1 TD), L.Centers 2-13, C.Fauria 2-13
Carolina: S.Smith 6-117 (1 TD), M.Muhammad 5-52, R.Proehl 3-34, Goains 2-16
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
New England: T.Law 1 INT, McGinest 2 Sacks, (If Bruschi is playing - 8 tackles), Phifer 1 FF
Carolina: Morgan - 14 tackles, Jenkins 1 Sack, Minter 1 INT
Summary:
1st Quarter:
NE 32 Pass Brady to Johnson (Vinatieri Kick) 10:32 Left
2nd Quarter:
NE 42 FG Vinatieri 6:14 Left
CAR 3 Run Davis (Kasay Kick) 1:44 Left
3rd Quarter:
CAR 42 Pass Delhomme to Smith (Kasay Kick) 11:04 Left
4th Quarter:
NE 6 Pass Brady to Branch 3:33 Left
Missed Field Goals: NE Vinatieri 51 (WL), CAR Kasay 43 (WR), 51 (Short)
MVP: Tom Brady
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Those are pretty specific predictions there, KB.
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Yeah, you see, you forgot one thing, Del. See, I'm from the future, remember? How stupid of you to forget! I've watched the game. I have it on tape, and I'd let you watch it, but...**runs away for some other errand**
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I've had the Panthers in it since Seattle lost, so I'm sticking with them.