2008 Woodie Awards
Patriots and Eagles Ready for Superbowl
Miguel Hernandez
Issue date: 2/2/05 Section: Sports
It is finally here, the most popular television event of the year. The reason why all of the National Football League teams played for over 5 grueling months. Superbowl XXXIX is here, and it is going to be one for the ages. Representing the AFC are the New England Patriots. As for the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles will be trying to capture the Vince Lombardi trophy.
After holding the number one ranked offense in the league to only 3 points in their victory over the Colts, and scoring 41 points on the league's number one ranked defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers, it is safe to say that the New England Patriots are the favorites to win it all. Being able to score big and stop the big plays, the Pats are on their way to Jacksonville and are hoping to claim their third Superbowl title in four years. If they win the Superbowl, the Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys of the 90's will be the only two teams to win three out of four Superbowls, thus establishing the Patriots as a dynasty, and perhaps the dynasty of this era. Being able to produce a team that has repeat success such as the Patriots, especially in the salary cap era, really shows the coaching ability of head coach Bill Belichick.
Over the past year however, the other coaches of the Patriots have been getting almost as much spotlight as Belichick. This is mostly due to the fact that by the end of the season, the Pats might end up losing both their offensive and defensive coordinators. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has agreed to become the head coach of Notre Dame, while Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is the leading candidate to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. If these two essential personnel leave the team to better their career, then it is safe to say that the Patriots' dynasty goes along with them. It is an unfortunate turn of event for the Pats, but they will at least have a shot at sending off their coaches with another championship.
On the other hand, the Eagles have finally put an end to a three year losing streak in the NFC championship game. They are looking to claim their first Superbowl victory since the 1980's. Now, this alone is a great feat, but what makes this event even more special for the Eagles is the fact that they were able to make it to Jacksonville without Terrell Owens on the field.
After holding the number one ranked offense in the league to only 3 points in their victory over the Colts, and scoring 41 points on the league's number one ranked defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers, it is safe to say that the New England Patriots are the favorites to win it all. Being able to score big and stop the big plays, the Pats are on their way to Jacksonville and are hoping to claim their third Superbowl title in four years. If they win the Superbowl, the Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys of the 90's will be the only two teams to win three out of four Superbowls, thus establishing the Patriots as a dynasty, and perhaps the dynasty of this era. Being able to produce a team that has repeat success such as the Patriots, especially in the salary cap era, really shows the coaching ability of head coach Bill Belichick.
Over the past year however, the other coaches of the Patriots have been getting almost as much spotlight as Belichick. This is mostly due to the fact that by the end of the season, the Pats might end up losing both their offensive and defensive coordinators. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has agreed to become the head coach of Notre Dame, while Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is the leading candidate to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. If these two essential personnel leave the team to better their career, then it is safe to say that the Patriots' dynasty goes along with them. It is an unfortunate turn of event for the Pats, but they will at least have a shot at sending off their coaches with another championship.
On the other hand, the Eagles have finally put an end to a three year losing streak in the NFC championship game. They are looking to claim their first Superbowl victory since the 1980's. Now, this alone is a great feat, but what makes this event even more special for the Eagles is the fact that they were able to make it to Jacksonville without Terrell Owens on the field.