Super Bowl XXXVIII
Gimme Five
Patriots vs Panthers
By ROGER MILLS
Published February 1, 2004
Five Players to Watch
1. Tom Brady - Do you realize he never has lost a playoff game (5-0)?
2. Stephen Davis - He averaged 103.1 yards a game and appears to be healthy again.
3. Mike Rucker - His pass-rushing skills will be a factor.
4. Ty Law - Should Jake Delhomme get risky, Law will make him pay.
5. Stephen Smith - Should Law get risky, Smith will make him pay.
Five stats you should know
1. The Panthers averaged 130.9 yards on the ground and have two backs who contribute.
2. The Patriots used enough starters, 42 to be exact, to field nearly two full teams on offense and defense.
3. Carolina tied league records with three OT wins and seven wins by three points or fewer.
4. The Patriots defense allowed opponents an average of 83 yards on the ground.
5. The Patriots aren't the only team with playoff experience. The Panthers have 21 players who have played a combined 80 playoff games.
Five keys to a Patriots win
1. Stop the run and force Delhomme to beat them.
2. Give their five offensive linemen some help blocking the Panthers front four.
3. Challenge cornerback Ricky Manning. He is still a rookie.
4. Make at least one big play on special teams.
5. Get up early and give the Panthers no hope late. They usually win the close ones.
Five keys to a Panthers win
1. Run Stephen Davis, run. The power back must churn up yards.
2. Don't be like the Colts and be intimidated by the Patriots' secondary.
3. Run DeShaun Foster, run. The inside/outside runner must provide Davis some help.
4. Settle down quickly. The hype can affect a team that never has been there.
5. Keep it close. No one has owned late-game heroics like the Panthers.
Final Five Words
Carolina mojo is for real.
[Last modified February 1, 2004, 01:45:59]
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