New England Patriots: Ranking the Patriots Super Bowls
#5 Super Bowl XXXIX New England Patriots 24 Philadelphia Eagles 21
In a game which solidified the early 2000’s Patriots as the most recent modern day sports dynasty, the Patriots secured what ended up being their ‘easiest’ win in the Super Bowl to date.
Despite the fact that they won only by three, New England had secured the title midway through the fourth quarter and the Eagles were unable to overcome a stingy Patriot defense, self inflicted wounds, and (of all things) dehydration.
It began promisingly for the Eagles, however, as they struck first in the Super Bowl with a Donovan McNabb 6 yard touchdown pass to L.J. Smith in the second quarter. The Patriots responded with a long drive, tying the game at 7 with 1:10 to go in the half on Tom Brady’s 4 yard touchdown pass to David Givens. For Givens, it was his fifth straight playoff game with a touchdown reception.
After both teams were tied at 14 going into the fourth quarter, the Patriots began to wear down the Eagles. The began a nine play, 66 yard scoring drive that ended with running back Corey Dillion scoring from two yards out to put the Patriots up 21-14. After forcing another Eagles punt, the Patriots drove deep in Eagles territory again to set up Adam Vinatieri’s chip shot 22 yard field goal, putting them up 24-14 with just over eight minutes left to play.
While the Eagles were ale to drive into Patriots territory vying for a critical score, McNabb made his first of many late game mistakes. Trying to hit Dorsey Levens, his pass instead sailed high into the waiting arms of Tedy Bruschi at the Patriots 24 yard line.
The Eagles were able to force the Patriots to punt and still had over seven minutes left in the game at that point, but, inexplicably, the Eagles went into full huddle instead of hurry up. After the game it was learned that this was because of Donovan McNabb being winded and unable to run the no-huddle offense. Despite Greg Lewis‘s touchdown reception with 1:48 to go, the Eagles were unable to recover their onside kick and, while getting the ball back with 46 seconds left in the game, McNabb subsequently threw a game-clinching interception to safety Rodney Harrison.
For the Patriots, it was their third title in four years and ushered in a new modern day dynasty; for the Eagles, it was their first trip to the Super Bowl since 1980 under Dick Vermeil. It was also their only trip to the Super Bowl despite advancing to the NFC Championship for four straight years
Game Watchability: 3
Game Importance: 3
Game Legacy: 2
Total: 8, This game squeaks by Super Bowl XLVI in the fact that the Patriots winning their third Super Bowl in four seasons is historic. They became the first team since the 1992-95 Dallas Cowboys to repeat the feat, and the only team to do so with the same head coach. It would be the Patriots last title until their win ten years later in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks.
Fun Fact(s): Deion Branch was the third offensive player ever to win Super Bowl MVP honors without scoring a touchdown or throwing a touchdown pass. The other two players were Joe Namath” href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Namath”>Joe Namath in Super Bowl III and Fred Biletnikoff” href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Biletnikoff”>Fred Biletnikoff in Super Bowl XI