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player ready...Tribune reporter Terry Bannon analyzes Sunday’s Super Bowl
Quarterbacks
Tom Brady brought Patriots back to take the lead twice in fourth quarter. Jake Delhomme made some big plays, including two TD passes, but didn’t handle pressure well early.
Edge: Patriots
Running backs
Stephen Davis set up two field goals, and DeShaun Foster’s 33-yard TD run put Panthers back in game in fourth quarter.
Edge: Panthers
Receivers
Deion Branch, Troy Brown and David Givens got open against Panthers. Panthers’ WRs weren’t the consistent factors they were expected to be.
Edge: Patriots
Offensive line
Patriots’ line gave Brady time to throw and opened just enough holes in the running game. Carolina had trouble protecting Delhomme early.
Edge: Patriots
Defensive line
Three-man line helped New England hold Panthers’ rushing game in check. Panthers’ line tired in second half.
Edge: Patriots
Linebackers
New England’s Mike Vrabel was a force, sacking Delhomme twice in the first half. The first helped keep the Panthers stuck deep in their own territory; the second set up the game’s first TD. Dan Morgan had a big game for Panthers.
Edge: Patriots
Defensive backs
Pats’ secondary gave up big plays in the second half. Reggie Howard had an interception that put Panthers back in the game.
Edge: Panthers
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Special teams
Adam Vinatieri won the game with a 41-yard FG, making up for an earlier miss and having one blocked. Carolina was winning the special-teams battle until John Kasay kicked off out of bounds, giving the Patriots the ball on their 40 to set up the game-winning drive.
Edge: Patriots
Coaching
Patriots’ five-receiver alignment was too much for Panthers. Carolina coach John Fox went for a two-point conversion trying to pull within 21-18. It was premature.
Edge: Patriots