Oh so close! The Philadelphia Eagles took the defending NFL Champion New England Patriots right down to the closing minute, bowing 24-21. Donovan McNabb played a great game, but the four turnovers (3 by INT) ultimately caused the Eagles to falter on the game’s biggest stage. McNabb completed 30 of 51 passes for 357 yards and 3 TD’s. Those 3 INT’s however, killed any chance the Eagles realistically had of winning this game. But even so, McNabb had 1 last chance with just 46 seconds left. The biggest problem: the Eagles had to start on their own 9-yard line with no timeouts. They only needed a FG to tie, so the offense only had to move the ball about 45-50 yards to give David Akers a shot of kicking a game-tying FG. On first down, McNabb completed a pass over the middle to Westbrook. Wrong choice! Westbrook should have just dropped the pass as he was immediately tackled for no gain and wasting precious seconds off the clock. The next play was an incompletion to T.O. Then, Rodney Harrison intercepted McNabb, sealing the Eagles fate.

Although the Philadelphia Eagles lost a heart breaker, it was still a great accomplishment to just getting to the Super Bowl. The game ended up being a real home game for the Birds as hordes of Eagles fans made the trek south to Jacksonville. Alltel Stadium felt more like Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defense held their own, holding the Pats to 331 total yards, with only 112 yards on the ground. Penalties were not a factor as the Birds were penalized 3 times for 35 yards. Time of possession was even. The Patriots pass rush was a major factor as they sacked McNabb 4 times, caused 3 INT’s and hurried countless other passes. The Eagles pass rush sacked Tom Brady just once. And that play was bad snap which the QB fumbled the ball away to the Eagles. The Eagles defense held Corey Dillon to only 75 yards rushing, but the Birds managed just 45 rushing yards all game long. The poor running game forced Andy Reid to call for the pass 75% of the time. That allowed the Patriots to tee off on McNabb.

The Eagles dominated the first half, though the score was 7-7 when time expired in the second quarter. The Eagles could have had at least a 17-3 lead, but too many mistakes cost the Eagles 10 points. Both teams had zero success to open the game. The Eagles had the game’s fifth possession and McNabb got in a good rhythm, completing 4 of 7 passes for 56 yards, moving the team down the field. Then McNabb was sacked for a 16-yard loss. On the next play, McNabb was intercepted, but thanks to a defensive holding, the Eagles were awarded with another first down. Rodney Harrison ended the Eagles drive after McNabb threw an ill-advised pass to Westbrook the target. The Eagles defense held the Pats to three-and-out and gave the offense great field position at the New England 45-yard line. Three plays later, LJ Smith fumbled. Again, the Eagles held. Then McNabb led the Birds to pay dirt with a 9-play 81-yard TD drive, which culminated with a 6-yard TD pass to LJ Smith. The Eagles led 7-0.

Late in the second quarter, New England scored a TD with only 1:16 left in the half. The 7-play 37-yard drive was setup by a terrible 29-yard punt by the Eagles Dirk Johnson. On the TD play, Tom Brady threw a great pass all the way across the field to a wide-open David Givens. Somehow, Lito Sheppard had close coverage, but Brady faked out the second year corner with a fake over the middle. The Eagles defense should of held the Patriots to a FG, but unfortunately that did not happen. Tom Brady methodically drove his team to a 14-7 lead to open the third quarter. The drive went 9 plays for 69 yards and only took 3:56. McNabb would strike back at the end of the quarter when he found Brian Westbrook open over the middle for a 10-yard TD pass. Game tied at 14-14 going into the fourth quarter. What more can we ask for but a chance to win it in the 4th quarter.

New England however, quickly added 10 points and had a 24-14 lead with 12:29 left in the game. Ted Bruschi then intercepted McNabb and all appeared lost. The Eagles defense once again came up big and stopped the Patriots offense. The Eagles got the ball back with just 5:40 and McNabb led a slow moving drive that went 13 plays for 79 yards. Play #13 was a great pass on a medium-ranged bomb to Greg Lewis who ran it in for a touchdown. There was still 1:48 left and the Eagles still had 2 timeouts. Still, Akers attempted an onside kick, which failed. For the last time though, the Eagles defense held New England to 3-and-out giving McNabb one last chance to either tie or win the game outright. Three plays later, McNabb was intercepted for the third time and the game was over. New England would be Super Bowl champs again for the third time in four years.

The Eagles had lost in the Super Bowl, but came very close thanks to the sensational play of Terrell Owens. T.O. caught 9 passes for 122 yards in his glorious return. Had he been at 100%, he could had at least 2 touchdowns, or perhaps another 30-40 yards in an Eagles Super Bowl victory, but that was not to be. TO was simply unbelievably awesome and would have been the game’s MVP had Philly pulled off the upset. It was however, the other team’s wide receiver that won the honor of Super Bowl MVP. Deion Branch ended up with 133 yards on 11 receptions. New England is very deserving of repeating for a second consecutive year, but Philadelphia could of won this game. It would have been great headlines too: "A TO SUPER BOWL PERFORMANCE!”