Panthers Vs Patriots for Superbowl..

[Yossarian]

So, who do y'all pick?

I gotta root for my cats. I put a £5 on them to win the game at the start of the season at 51-1 odds. That said, I WISH the colts had won tonight. It would have been a much easier game.

[hukarez]

Well, as much I as like to root for the underdogs, I don't think the Panthers are going to fare well against the Patriots. I'd like for the Panthers to seriously contend and win the Superbowl, and if it does happen...then I'll be pleasantly surprised.


In the meantime, I'll take the pessimistic route...so if my initial scenario of New England winning transpires, I wouldn't be quite as shocked. :cool:

[sabotai]

JAKE DELHOMME IS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

[jeff061]

Panthers = Patriots 2001. In every way, shape and form.

[tucker rocky]

Defense vs. Defense :(

I've got one word for this SB:

YUCK ! :(

[WussGawd]

Panthers = Patriots 2001. In every way, shape and form.

except one. The Patriots have a lot more talent on offense than the Panthers.

I'd like to see Carolina, but I'm just not sure how they move the ball against New England.

[Vegas Vic]

The Panthers remind me of the Baltimore Ravens Superbowl team. Lights out defense, solid running game, and a quarterback who doesn't make mistakes.

[tucker342]

I REALLY hope the Panthers win. The Patriots are starting to get REALLY annoying.

[jeff061]

Thats why its great to be a Pats fan ;).

[Danny]

Delhomme for President!

[MizzouRah]

I think Carolina will win a close game. Should be a good one to watch!!


Todd

[kcchief19]

Wake me when this long national nightmare is over.

[hukarez]

Ironically, it was the St. Louis vs New England Superbowl which I was last excited about. The close game, and the game winning kick in the waning seconds and the like.

Now, I can only hope this Superbowl is going to be just as dramatic. If not...I'll be sorely disappointed - not just because of how the Superbowl will go, but the fact that the football season has come to an end for me. Especially since I don't have the NFL Network channel!

[CamEdwards]

Go Pats!

[Booj]

Panthers will win by 7.

[Senator]

It will be like watching paint dry.

Besides, it means the last game of the season, and that all depresses me.

[Buccaneer]

Go Pats.

[Peregrine]

I love how despite all the flashy teams that made it to the playoffs (Indy, KC, St. Louis, etc) it's two blue collar, defense-first, physical teams that make it. I think whoever wears down first will probably lose.

[Sun Tzu]

I picked the Colts over Panthers before a single game was played in the playoffs. I was close, so now I'll take the Panthers over the Pats.

Panthers - 17
Patriots - 9

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I will take the Pats for obvious reasons. What is interesting is that DEFENSE wins championships usually, but both teams got a pretty good one. With Brady v. Delhomme and a better offense and SB experience, I will go with the Pats. I think the game will be good though.[wink]

[Dutch]

A crappy Pre-Game matchup. Pats vs. Panthers??? Yuck! So that just raised the chance of it being a really good game about 10 fold. :) I think this is gonna be a good one.

[jeff061]

One thing which should be interesting to watch. Belicheck defenses eat young quarterbacks for breakfast. We'll see if Delhommme is another Brady or not.

[pjstp20]

Look how annoying Pat fan is with one Super Bowl win, then try to imagine how much worse they'll be with two. God please don't let it happen. Go Panthers.

[jeff061]

And look how annoying a Miami fan is without one in 30 years ;).

[sabotai]

It's the late 80's New York Giants defensive coordinator vs. the late 90's New York Giants defensive coordinator. Should be interesting. :)

[Sun Tzu]

And look how annoying a Miami fan is without one in 30 years ;).

Miami has a fan? :p

[JeeberD]

I'll be rooting for the Panthers (Go NFC!), but I have the sneaking suspicion that the Pats are going to kick some ass...

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Check these interesting stats I just heard on ESPN Primetime. The Pats have not trailed in a game since week 12 against Houston. And the Pats now have the longest winning streak since the 1972 Dolphins. WOW!

[Desnudo]

Well, as much I as like to root for the underdogs, I don't think the Panthers are going to fare well against the Patriots. I'd like for the Panthers to seriously contend and win the Superbowl, and if it does happen...then I'll be pleasantly surprised.


In the meantime, I'll take the pessimistic route...so if my initial scenario of New England winning transpires, I wouldn't be quite as shocked. :cool:

I wouldn't worry about a good game. The Patriots haven't blown the doors off anyone, Bills excepted. With their lack of finishing ability, the Panthers will be able to stay close. I still feel good about the Patriots though.

[TLK]

as much as I'd like to see it..... (here comes the kiss of death)

there's no way Carolina wins this game.... NE 23 CAR 10

[Easy Mac]

I will take the Pats for obvious reasons. What is interesting is that DEFENSE wins championships usually, but both teams got a pretty good one. With Brady v. Delhomme and a better offense and SB experience, I will go with the Pats. I think the game will be good though.[wink]
Actually, the Panthers gained more yards on offense and 1 point less, so I don't think you could say its a better offense.

[SackAttack]

I don't know that yards gained is necessarily the *best* indication of how good an offense is, at least without taking into account the relative strengths of the defenses faced.

[LloydLungs]

Panthers = Patriots 2001. In every way, shape and form.

Kind of, yeah, except that they don't have the luxury of their Super Bowl opponent being coached by Mike Martz.

[DeToxRox]

Two weeks for Belicheck to prepare, can't like those odds.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Actually, the Panthers gained more yards on offense and 1 point less, so I don't think you could say its a better offense.

The Pats had one of the toughest schedules, which included 8 games against teams with winning records in the regular season. Against the same defenses, I think the Pats are a little better (not a lot) than Carolina.

[Yossarian]

Two weeks for Belicheck to prepare, can't like those odds.

Belicheck is leagues ahead of everyone else in the NFL coaching right now.

I'm surprised he doesn't throw a 'smoke capsule' on the field before every play to go "pooof! magic defense..."

[Peregrine]

I'm surprised he doesn't throw a 'smoke capsule' on the field before every play to go "pooof! magic defense..."


I think the effect on Manning would have been about the same if they did do this. :)

[Darkiller]

Winning back to back road Playoff games AT Saint Louis, then AT Philadelphia after blowing out the Cowboys in the 1st round is enough to convince me this team is for real.

They deserve to be the NFC Champions.
I think they can match up well with the Patriots although New England is my pick to win the SuperBowl.

I'll be rooting for the Panthers though. My younger brother Benjamin is a huge fan so I want it to stay in the family ;-)

[Radii]

I have to take Carolina in a close game. I'm a huge panthers fan, but I've been expecting them to lose in each of their last two games, I'm finally a believer now. I can't believe the early line is Pats by 7. 7?? That's insane.

[GrantDawg]

I have to take Carolina in a close game. I'm a huge panthers fan, but I've been expecting them to lose in each of their last two games, I'm finally a believer now. I can't believe the early line is Pats by 7. 7?? That's insane.
Yeah, I was thinking it would be at least 10.

[Malificent]

I think its important to remember that NE's defense was much better at home than on the road this year (not to say they were bad at home). Indoors at a neutral site, the weather factor and fan factor are nullified. I think that will make it a close game.

[gstelmack]

I think this is going to be a great game. Two great defenses, two offenses that are unspectacular but get the job done when it needs to get done, two really good special teams units. New England has the edge in passing, but Carolina runs the ball better. I'm half tempted to predict a 3-0 final score in the shortest Super Bowl ever. But Super Bowls have a way of turning a tight contest into a blowout if one team hits a small hot streak, as every little mistake gets magnified.

[The_herd]

I'm liking the Patriots and under right now. Jake Delhomme starting in his 1st Super Bowl and Belichik with 2 weeks to prepare is too much in my mind. Unless Davis runs for 200 yards and carries the offense by himself, I don't see this being as close a game as a lot of people are thinking. Delhomme is going to see so many different defensive formations he's going to be seeing them in his dreams until training camp.

[Fritz]

This is one of those times I like to point out that I picked the Panthers to win it all before the pre-season.

so close now....

[HornedFrog Purple]

Defense vs. Defense :(

I've got one word for this SB:

YUCK ! :(

I've got 9 words: The way the game was meant to be played. :D

[KevinNU7]

I'm taking the Panthers with the points. These two team have been playing in tight games all year and I don't see that changing.

Go Pats!

[Celeval]

Go Commercials!

I'm pulling for a good game, and wouldn't touch a bet with a 10-foot pole. :-)

[cthomer5000]

I'm taking the Panthers with the points. These two team have been playing in tight games all year and I don't see that changing.

Go Pats!

Agreed. You gotta love the Panthers getting 7.

On a complete hunch, I' think the Panthers win. I don't know that the Pats run defense has been tested like it will be in this game. You can throw your fancy defenses out the window when 2 backs and a solid o-line are pounding you.

[rkmsuf]

Agreed. You gotta love the Panthers getting 7.

On a complete hunch, I' think the Panthers win. I don't know that the Pats run defense has been tested like it will be in this game. You can throw your fancy defenses out the window when 2 backs and a solid o-line are pounding you.

4th overall against the run speaks otherwise. Ted Washington in the middle and speed to the outside will make it hard for Carolina to put up many points...

[cthomer5000]

4th overall against the run speaks otherwise. Ted Washington in the middle and speed to the outside will make it hard for Carolina to put up many points...

Well, the Colts made running look fairly easy. Ah... i'll stick with my Panthers guess. The similarities to the 2002 bowl are too great to ignore.

[rkmsuf]

Well, the Colts made running look fairly easy. Ah... i'll stick with my Panthers guess. The similarities to the 2002 bowl are too great to ignore.

Not to belabor the point but the Colts averaged 3.9 yds a carry and rushed for 98 yards. NE actually outrushed them...

[The_herd]

Not to belabor the point but the Colts averaged 3.9 yds a carry and rushed for 98 yards. NE actually outrushed them...

And I don't think that's too bad considering the Colts running game is pretty damn good. James and Rhodes are probably the best 1-2 combo at RB in the league.

[cthomer5000]

Not to belabor the point but the Colts averaged 3.9 yds a carry and rushed for 98 yards. NE actually outrushed them...

And if the Pats could get 3.9, the Panthers will get over 4 YPC (even against 8 men fronts). Remember, 8 men fronts can mean one missed tackle = 35 yard run.

Now let me make my pick in peace.


Panthers win!

[Castlerock]

I think that the Patriots will put 8 men in the box and be able to stop Davis. I think that the Patriots run D has been tested and as rkmsuf points out, they are #4 overall vs the run. Make Delhomme beat the Patriots secondary (a tall order).

This could go either way but my gut tells me the Patriots willl win this one.

Good old fashioned smashmouth football.

[Castlerock]

Defense vs. Defense :(

I've got one word for this SB:

YUCK ! :(

From this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/Default.aspx?id=4003424&p1=0

When did defense become a bad thing?

Defense isn’t dull. What is dull are people who can’t appreciate a game played the way it’s supposed to be played, with every inch of turf ferociously contested, every hit delivered with evil intent, every score a beautiful and precious thing. When they give you a big offensive play, you’ll remember it for a long time.

[FrogMan]

okay, for anybody with any doubt on my pick in this Super Bowl, let me say this...


GO PATS ! ! !

:D :D

FM

[HornedFrog Purple]

Defense isn’t dull. What is dull are people who can’t appreciate a game played the way it’s supposed to be played, with every inch of turf ferociously contested, every hit delivered with evil intent, every score a beautiful and precious thing. When they give you a big offensive play, you’ll remember it for a long time.

Word.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Well, the Colts made running look fairly easy.I don't think the Patriots ever went out of their pass-oriented defense; since Delhomme is no Manning (granted, who is) and the Panthers don't have a third receiver the caliber of Indy's, I'd guess the Pats will be more willing to orient themselves to stopping the run than they did against the Colts.

[Easy Mac]

I think Proehl is as good, if not better than Reggie Wayne.

[FrogMan]

I think Proehl is as good, if not better than Reggie Wayne.

Ricky Proehl will always be famous in my mind for what he said, in the tunnel before going on the field in the Superdome right before Super Bowl XXXVI: "Tonight, a dynasty is born baby!" :D

FM

[cthomer5000]

Ricky Proehl will always be famous in my mind for what he said, in the tunnel before going on the field in the Superdome right before Super Bowl XXXVI: "Tonight, a dynasty is born baby!" :D

FM

the funny thing is... he might have been right.