Since everyone knows everything there is to know, ever, about the Patriots, let's look at the team that's going to beat them and how they'll do it.
Quarterback Donovan McNabb has improved as a passer every year and still remains a threat to scramble. The Eagles will only go as far as their quarterback, and McNabb welcomes the spotlight.
"I love pressure," McNabb told the Associated Press on Jan. 12. "I love to step out there and everybody is standing on their feet with their mouth wide open to find out what I'm going to do next. ... Buckle your seat belts and enjoy the ride."
He will dump the ball off to RB Brian Westbrook, the Eagles' most dangerous weapon, a versatile back who will split out as a wide receiver to exploit favorable matchups. Rookie fullback Josh Parry will be his lead blocker when he runs the ball.
The receiving corps may, at first glance, look negligible without Terrell Owens at full strength and with TE Chad Lewis out (who combined for 49-percent of the receptions and 47-percent of the yards of Philly's production out of receivers and tight ends). But WR Todd Pinkston, despite his cowardly instincts (lost it in the lights? Give me a break, more like Todd Stinkston), has fantastic speed and can beat corners downfield.
WR Freddie Mitchell, otherwise known as The Sultan of Slot, FredEx, and The People's Champ, will be a threat (from the slot of course) if he's still standing after the hit that Rodney Harrison has planned for him. As for Owens himself, he may not be in perfect health, but he's still one of the premier receivers in football and anytime he is on the field, he has the ability to change the game.
Tight ends L.J. Smith and Jeff Thomason are surprisingly good receivers and WR Greg Lewis is also emerging as a downfield threat. The offensive line of towering tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, guards Jermaine Mayberry and Artis Hicks, and center "Honeybuns" Hank Fraley provide great protection and are very effective at leading the charge on the screen pass, a key component of coach Andy Reid's arsenal.
The best weapon on Philly's defense is their defensive coordinator, Jim Johnson. While the Pats may have beaten Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, Johnson beat Daunte Culpepper and Michael Vick and shut down the best rushing attack in the NFL (Atlanta).
With Hugh Douglas, Hollis Thomas, and Sam Rayburn coming off the bench to back up defensive ends Jevon Kearse and Derrick Burgess and defensive tackles Darwin Walker and Corey Simon, the Eagles have a deep defensive line. Jeremiah Trotter, Mark Simoneau, and Dhani Jones form a solid group of linebackers that includes backups Keith Adams and Ike Reese.
"Superman" Brian Dawkins, a strong safety, leads a group of youngsters (second-year cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown and safety Michael Lewis) in the secondary (three of them are Pro-Bowlers) with Roderick Hood and Dexter Wynn backing them up.
On special teams, David Akers is as good as any in the league, save for his opponent, and look for Westbrook to possibly break a big return against the Pats, who are ranked 28th in yardage allowed on punt returns.
If Philadelphia wants to win, they will have to disrupt Tom Brady and take him out of his rhythm. That means blitzes and sacks. When Pittsburgh and Miami beat the Patriots, Brady threw two and four interceptions, respectively. They also have to keep Corey Dillon under 100 yards as Cincinnati, Buffalo, and Indianapolis (in Week 1) did, which were three close games. The Pats, as they did against Indianapolis, will try to control the time of possession with Dillon.
With Romeo Crennel focusing on Westbrook, McNabb will need to spread the ball. Philadelphia will need a balanced assault. The receivers have to hold their own against a physical Patriots secondary and linebacker corp., who will try to disrupt Philly's West Coast offense. If the Eagles can establish the pass, they can use it to create the run, something Reid has done all season long.
Most importantly, the Eagles must not turn the ball over. The Patriots defense excels at forcing other teams to make mistakes, something Philly can't afford against a great team like New England.
The Eagles aren't about to lie down and watch Pats write their names in the record books.
"If you don't believe in miracles," Owens told IGN Sports on Jan. 31, "just wait until Sunday."
