High Flying Eagles Soar Past Falcons, Patriots Pound Steelers Setting up Super Bowl Match!

Just before hitting the playing field to take on Atlanta in the NFC Championship game, Philadelphia players had one thing in mind - avoid becoming the first team in the history of the league to lose four consecutive championship games. When the final tick of the clock came, their mission was accomplished, they defeated the Falcons the old style way, 27-10, earning the right to play New England in Super Bowl XXXIX on February 6th in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Eagles used an aggressive swarming defense, limiting Falcons star quarter-back Michael Vick to 26 yards on four carries, along with four sacks. Philly’s offense, led by the ever so silky Donovan McNabb (17-26-180 yds, 2 tds) was smooth in their offensive ball control perfection. "Obviously, we know what happened in the last three years, this close and never being able to really pull it off. But this year was something special," McNabb said.

With the defense hawking Vick most of the afternoon, forcing him into submission, the Falcons offense remained in neutral. "They played a perfect game," said Vick. "They had Jevon Kearse on one end and another defensive lineman on the other end keeping good containment making sure I didn't get to the outside of the pocket."

Atlanta’s defense, normally flying to the ball, found themselves frozen in the frigid turf as McNabb had his way all day finding his targets. Once Philadelphia set the tone on a super effort from Dorsey Levens on a four yard plunge into the end zone, they never looked back, choosing rather to look ahead to its battle with New England. The Eagles last made the big game back in 1981 when they lost to Oakland here in the Superdome. FYI: Not since Steve McNair made it to the Super Bowl back in 2002 has any other African American Quarterback returned as a starter.

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, the defending World Champion New England Patriots walloped the Steelers 41-27 earning their right to defend their title and a third visit to the championship game in the last three years. The Patriots defense forced four costly turnovers by the Steelers resulting in 17 first half points. "We said all week, we need to bring our ‘A’ game in order to beat them, and we didn't," said Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward. New England QB Tom Brady, (14-21-207 yds, 2 tds) a two-time Super Bowl MVP award winner was sharp as usual in guiding the Champs to victory.

"This was a big step," said the modest Brady after the lopsided win. "We still have some business to take care of. Our season isn’t finished yet." New England will have some Louisiana flavor heading to Jacksonville. Defensive end Marquise Hill, running back Kevin Faulk, back-up quarter back Rohan Davey and corner back Randall Guy are all from LSU and headed for the Super Bowl.

While the Patriots are a slight 6 1/2 point favorite, don’t count out that tenacious Eagle defense which has risen to the top in the post season. Philly head coach Andy Reid said he believes injured wide receiver Terrell Owens could see action.

Tidbits: Wk of 1-28-05

Majors: Seven time Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens agreed to a one-year deal of $18 million with the Houston Astros. Clemens, a native of Houston will receive the highest salary for a pitcher in the history of baseball.

LSU: New Tigers head coach Les Miles officially became Nick Saban’s replacement when the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a seven-year deal that pays him $1.25 million plus incentives.

College Hoops: The big cross town rivalry between Xavier and Dillard hits the hardwood this weekend on the campus of the Blue Devils. The women’s game get underway at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game will immediately follow. The Nuggets stand alone atop the GCAC standings undefeated at 7-0 and 18-1 over-all alone with a 16 game win streak. Needless to say, get there early to secure a spot because the gym is likely to shut its doors when it meets the capacity.

NBA Notes: Bad Boy Ron Artest returned to practice with his Indiana Pacers team after serving a two month suspension for the big brawl versus Detroit.

NFL News: New York Jets quarter-back Chad Pennington will have surgery to repair a rotor cuff of the right shoulder. In Green Bay, the Packers named Jim Bates offensive coordinator. Bates hails from Miami where he was the interim head coach of the Dolphins for seven games.

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