First off, I am not saying Carolina will definitely win this game, but I think they have a shot to win, which is the first step in taking an underdog.
True NE has the best defense around, Rodney "The Enforcer" Harrison, Ty Law, Bruschi, Seymour, McGinest, Vrabel, etc. are all outstanding.
And Brady is a flat out stud, he is one of the smoothest I've ever seen, and he seems to spread the ball to multiple receivers like Montana, which is beautiful.
Belicheck and his staff are outstanding, and coaching does seem to be more important in pro football than any other sport in my opinion.
And we all know their kicking game and special teams are solid.
With all that being said and NE being such a great ball club, I still think the CAROLINA PANTHERS MATCH UP BEAUTIFULLY WITH PATS!
Pats strength on D was exhibited when they shut down MAnning and Colts passing game, but Carolina is better coached and will have a better game plan going into the game on a neutral field.
Carolina's passing game is average, and it's tough to pass well against NE, but I don't think Delholme needs much more than about 100-150 yards passing to win the game. The key is that he won't turn the ball over because he has proven to be a smart, solid QB. If he can complete 4-5 key passes when it counts Carolina should be okay.
Carolina plays a bend but don't break D, they make you earn every point. They should be able to slow down the Pats and hold them under 21 points. Pats have often failed to put the ball in the endzone, and brady makes a couple questionable passes a game that defenses seem to be dropping as of late. Pats have won 15 straight, which makes you think they are unstoppable, but they're not. They are very difficult to defeat, but not impossible. They also seem to often play in very close games.
I think the Pats will struggle on offense. Smith/faulk do not impress me enough to think they will have success against Carolina. Is Woody going to be out? I'm not sure if the pro bowler is out for the SB or not, but his absence may make a difference against the best front 4 in football, even though it didn't seem to matter against colts.
The MAIN REASON I"M BETTING THE PANTHERS IS THIS: THEY WILL RUN THE HELL OUT OF THE BALL WITH FOSTER/DAVIS 40+ times. The Colts had an awful gameplan against the Pats. They did not run the ball from the first snap on. In the third quarter they had their best drive of the game running Edge/Rhodes, showing it is possible to run against Pats, I don't care what their rush defense is ranked. Fox is smart, and he has great game plans, he will exploit their run D. From their first possession on they will give Pats a heavy dose of Davis (Who is healthy, injury is BS) and Foster who is a dynamic runner who needs to hold onto ball. The two back attack is a beautiful thing, which makes me belive Panthers stay in this game and maybe win it. If Delholme can make a few clutch passes things will be looking up for Carolina Backers. GO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True NE has the best defense around, Rodney "The Enforcer" Harrison, Ty Law, Bruschi, Seymour, McGinest, Vrabel, etc. are all outstanding.
And Brady is a flat out stud, he is one of the smoothest I've ever seen, and he seems to spread the ball to multiple receivers like Montana, which is beautiful.
Belicheck and his staff are outstanding, and coaching does seem to be more important in pro football than any other sport in my opinion.
And we all know their kicking game and special teams are solid.
With all that being said and NE being such a great ball club, I still think the CAROLINA PANTHERS MATCH UP BEAUTIFULLY WITH PATS!
Pats strength on D was exhibited when they shut down MAnning and Colts passing game, but Carolina is better coached and will have a better game plan going into the game on a neutral field.
Carolina's passing game is average, and it's tough to pass well against NE, but I don't think Delholme needs much more than about 100-150 yards passing to win the game. The key is that he won't turn the ball over because he has proven to be a smart, solid QB. If he can complete 4-5 key passes when it counts Carolina should be okay.
Carolina plays a bend but don't break D, they make you earn every point. They should be able to slow down the Pats and hold them under 21 points. Pats have often failed to put the ball in the endzone, and brady makes a couple questionable passes a game that defenses seem to be dropping as of late. Pats have won 15 straight, which makes you think they are unstoppable, but they're not. They are very difficult to defeat, but not impossible. They also seem to often play in very close games.
I think the Pats will struggle on offense. Smith/faulk do not impress me enough to think they will have success against Carolina. Is Woody going to be out? I'm not sure if the pro bowler is out for the SB or not, but his absence may make a difference against the best front 4 in football, even though it didn't seem to matter against colts.
The MAIN REASON I"M BETTING THE PANTHERS IS THIS: THEY WILL RUN THE HELL OUT OF THE BALL WITH FOSTER/DAVIS 40+ times. The Colts had an awful gameplan against the Pats. They did not run the ball from the first snap on. In the third quarter they had their best drive of the game running Edge/Rhodes, showing it is possible to run against Pats, I don't care what their rush defense is ranked. Fox is smart, and he has great game plans, he will exploit their run D. From their first possession on they will give Pats a heavy dose of Davis (Who is healthy, injury is BS) and Foster who is a dynamic runner who needs to hold onto ball. The two back attack is a beautiful thing, which makes me belive Panthers stay in this game and maybe win it. If Delholme can make a few clutch passes things will be looking up for Carolina Backers. GO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
