Super Bowl XXXIX - The Edge

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Part 2: The Defense - New England Patriots versus Philadelphia Eagles

In this second of four parts, we look at the Defenses of the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles and give our view of which team has the edge.

Defense

Defensively, you could not ask to have two closely matched teams in the Super Bowl. Both statistically and in the basic terms of points allowed, the Patriots and the Eagles' defenses are very similar. Statistically, the Patriots were ranked ninth in the NFL allowing 310.8 yards per game. The Eagles were ranked tenth allowing 319.7 yards per game. The Patriots' opponents scored 260 points or 16.25 points per game. The Eagles opponents scored exactly the same - 260 points or 16.25 points per game. 

The Eagles defense sacked opposing quarterbacks 47 times during the regular season, ranking second in the NFL. The Patriots sacked opposing quarterbacks 45 times tying them for second in the NFL. The Eagles defense had 28 takeaways (17 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries). The Patriots defense had 36 takeaways (20 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries). 

In terms of penalties, the Patriots were penalized 118 times during the regular season. The Eagles were penalized 119 times.

Position by position the teams match up very closely. If the Eagles have any advantage it is in their backfield where they feature three All-Pro players in Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis and Lito Sheppard. 

Team Defense

Team	G	Plys	Yds/G	Y/P	FD/G	3rd Md	3rd Att	3rd %	4th Md	4th Att	4th %	Pen	PenYds	TOP	TF	L
NE	16	988	310.8	5.0	18.1	81	209	38.8	13	30	43.3	118	1014	28:38	31	16
PHL	16	1039	319.7	4.9	18.7	82	229	35.8	9	19	47.4	119	1001	31:34	29	11

Individual Defense

Player	Total	Tackles	Assists	Sacks	Fumble Rec.
Rodney Harrison	138	94.0	44	3	0
Tedy Bruschi	122	76.0	46	3.5	0
Ted Johnson	77	55.0	22	1	0
Mike Vrabel	71	54.0	17	5.5	0
Patriots	1138	849.0	289	45	25
Sheldon Brown	89	66.0	23	3	0
Michael Lewis	88	74.0	14	0	1
Dhani Jone	71	49.0	22	0.5	1
Jeremiah Trotter	69	60.0	9	1	0
Eagles	1026	864.0	162	47	16

Interceptions

Player	No	Yards	Avg	Long	TD
Eugene Wilson	4	51	12	24	0
Troy Brown	3	22	7	17	0
Tedy Bruschi	3	70	23	36	0
Rodney Harrison	2	12	6	12	0
Patriots	20	290	14	36	1
Lito Sheppard	5	172	34	101	2
Brian Dawkins	4	40	10	32	0
Sheldon Brown	2	33	16	33	0
Ike Reese	2	22	11	15	0
Eagles	17	287	16	101	2

 

Part 1 - The Offense
Part 3 - Special Teams
Part 4 - Coaching / Intangibles