The Pick

So, yeah.

The Panthers have done just about all of this with running, defense, and running. And some timely passing thrown in for good measure. But running on the Patriots hasn't been easy this season, to say the least, and it won't be easy today. Delhomme threw 14 passes in the NFC title game. They're not going to win this game with him throwing only 14 passes.

The Patriots played most of this season held together by Band-Aids and gauze. This group is pretty much the same (as much as it can be these days) as the team that won two years ago. Defensively, they do a million things and change them every week. Brady runs a somewhat more balanced offense and simply doesn't feel pressure.

This'll be a simple game; basic football. Not a lot of flash, but not a lot of mistakes, either. We're not going to see a blowout or an utter coaching mismatch. The Panthers could win, but the Patriots, I think, are a better version of the Panthers. And in the interest of being consistent with my poll votes:

New England 23, Carolina 13