Armchair Quarterback: Look for Pats, Eagles to advance
How can you bet against the Eagles and Patriots when they just keep getting the job done, week in and week out?
To look at these two teams, you’d think they wouldn’t have a chance to advance when you’ve got teams like the Colts, Titans, Chiefs, Rams and Packers out there, all loaded with top performers. However, as we go into championship Sunday, these are the two teams the odds makers and experts are picking to meet in the Super Bowl Feb. 1.
When you examine their rosters, there are no big-time stars on either team, aside from maybe Donovan McNabb, whose numbers are actually quite dismal for the season. However, numbers cannot reflect converting a fourth-and-26 with the game on the line against the Packers or a scramble where McNabb breaks four tackles before hitting Todd Pinkston in the corner of the end zone. Numbers can also not reflect an Adam Viniateri kick of that frozen shot-put in Foxboro which barely trickled over the cross bar.
Face it, these two teams aren’t full of stars but they are full of play makers. Somebody has stepped up week after week to keep their respective streaks alive. Whether it be a four-down stop of Edgerrin James at the goal line on the last play of the game by the Pat defense or a heave by McNabb on fourth-and-long, these guys are getting it done.
If this is not bad enough for their opponents, I should also note they have home field advantage where it counts, in the frozen northeast. Just ask the Titans. When the wind chill drops below zero, the ball feels more like a 16-pound bowling ball than a pigskin, hampering high powered offenses such as the Colts.
This home field advantage during the cold weather has a long history of success for the home teams if you’ll recall the successes by the Broncos and the Bills in years past. Sure, they folded (aside from the more modern day Broncos) when they reached the Super Bowl, but they ruled their conferences with a frozen fist come playoff time.
With this said, the question begs whether the challengers have a chance to beat the home teams this week. Conventional wisdom would tell us the Colts and its super star squad would have a good chance, despite their close loss at home against the Pats earlier in the season. Granted, Manning is hot and the Colts look unstoppable, but I believe the elements may prove the difference in this one. Plus, Tom Brady, who finished third in MVP voting, isn’t a bad quarterback. I’m going with the Pats in a nail biter.
Then we have the bride’s maids. Two times in a row the Eagles have come one game short of making the big game. Now, all that stands in the way are the Panthers. However, these guys could be formidable given their grinding running game which is key in cold weather situations. Also, quarterback Jake Delhomme is proving he can actually throw the ball and receiver Steve Smith is becoming a premiere receiver. And their defense is one of the best in the league.
However, once again, I’ve got to go with the home team. I don’t think they’ll get denied for a third straight time. Plus, they have the experience of being here before while the Panthers success has been thrust upon them after successive 1-15 and 7-9 seasons.
Hey, I’d like to see a re-match of the Panthers’ 23-20 win over the Colts earlier this season, but I just don’t think that is going to happen. It’ll be the Eagles and Pats on Feb. 1.