As Steve was wont to say for most of the 2003 Season:

"How 'bout dem Carolina Panthers. HAHAHAHAHA"

Well, whoda thunk they'd be playing for it all? Two years removed from 1-15. Well, they wanted parity in the NFL and they got it.

After an absolute thrashing of the Beagles, 14-3 (and it wasn't that close), I am rethinking my pick for the big game. Carolina's D is downright scary, even better than the Pats. But the Pats D is SUPER as well, and I think their offense is also better than the Cats.

Will be a very interesting game, with two former New York Football Giants assistant coaches going after one another mano a mano. I'd like to think the game will be a defensive battle, with field position paramount. While most people would consider this boring (everyone loves offense, right?), I personally like low-scoring battles in the trenches, where every first down is EARNED and where the special teams (punters/returners) could determine the outcome of the game.

I've stuck with the Pats thus far, though I'll be rooting for the Cats. THE PREDICTION:

In a battle of attrition, the big dance sees its first overtime game in history, with the Pats edging the Cats 15-12 on the foot of an Adam Venitieri field goal of 51 yards.

Should be a helluva game...