Super Bowl XXXIX
Alltell Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Head Coach-Herman Edwards
333 Points Scored
261 Points Allowed
Starting Quarterback-Chad Pennington
Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated San Diego, 17-8: AFC Wild Card Playoffs
Defeated Pittsburgh, 27-6: AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Indianapolis, 40-16: AFC Championship
Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Head Coach-Andy Reid
386 Points Scored
260 Points Allowed
Starting Quarterback-Donovan McNabb
Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Minnesota, 31-13: NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated St. Louis, 20-7: NFC Championship
The Game
The New York Jets had surprised everyone by making it to their first Super Bowl, and waiting for them was by far the best team in the NFC. The Philadelphia Eagles had gotten past the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams without the help of Terrell Owens, and now, he was ready to play in the Super Bowl. Even without Owens, the Eagles had been able to take care of the Vikings and Rams, but no one was counting the Jets out at this point. With Chad Pennington at the helm and one of the best defenses in the NFL backing him up, the Jets had been able to take care of San Diego, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis on defense, while Pennington and Curtis Martin had done their job on offense. With just one game to play in the NFL season, anyone who thought that the Eagles were going to have an easy ride to a Super Bowl title were almost willing to eat their words as Super Bowl XXXIX got underway.
With two of the best defenses in the NFL on display, the Jets and the Eagles both took their time getting started in Super Bowl XXXIX. Neither team could move the ball until the middle of the first quarter, when Philadelphia managed to strike against New York's defense. Brian Westbrook broke free for a 45 yard touchdown run that gave the Eagles an early lead and set the Jets back, as they had been one of the best running defenses in the NFL during the playoffs. On the ensuing New York drive, the Jets managed to drive down to the Philadelphia 26 yard line, but Doug Brien's field goal attempt sailed wide to the right, and the Eagles took over. Using a solid mix of run and pass, Philadelphia moved the ball well, but a holding penalty on David Barrett on Terrell Owens set the Eagles up at the one yard line. Three plays later, the Eagles capped their 18 play drive with a one yard touchdown pass to L.J. Smith that put them up by a 14-0 score. The Jets answered with an 11 play drive that went 74 yards and ended with a Curtis Martin six yard touchdown run. Philadelphia couldn't score on their next drive, and the Eagles took a 14-7 with them into the half.
In the second half, the Eagles wasted little time in taking their offense to the Jets. A 19 yard completion from Donovan McNabb to Terrell Owens set up a 44 yard touchdown pass to Todd Pinkston, and after a New York punt, the Eagles took advantage. On the first play of the possession, McNabb found Owens for a 68 yard touchdown that almost put the game out of reach. Following a New York punt, the Eagles drove down the field once again on a 14 play, 76 yard drive. David Akers finished the drive with a 20 yard field goal, and the Eagles were in control of the Super Bowl. The Jets answered with a drive of their own, but Doug Brien could only kick a 45 yard field goal. Philadelphia answered with a nine play, 66 yard drive of their own that was finished by a Brian Westbrook one yard run. Following a New York drive that ended on a fourth down conversion, the Eagles ran out the clock, and Philadelphia had become champions for the second time.
Final Score: Philadelphia-38 New York-10
MVP: Donovan McNabb: 16/19, 288 yards, 3 TDs