Super Bowl XXXIX

The game

Controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens started for the Eagles, playing on his injured ankle as he had promised for weeks previous to the game. He showed no signs of his injury and caught nine receptions for 122 yards.

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For the first time in Super Bowl history, the game was tied going into the fourth quarter. The contest was also tied after the end of the first and second quarters, the first time in Super Bowl history that has ever been done.

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After each team punted twice, the Eagles drove the ball to the Patriots' 19-yard line. But then quarterback Donovan McNabb's pass was intercepted by Patriots safety Rodney Harrison. Still, both teams ended up being shutout in the first quarter.

Related Topics:
Donovan McNabb - Rodney Harrison

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The Eagles took the lead early in the second quarter with McNabb's touchdown pass to receiver L. J. Smith. Then on their next drive, the Patriots moved to the Eagles 4-yard line. But quarterback Tom Brady fumbled and Philadelphia recovered it. After forcing the Eagles to punt again, New England tied the score 7-7 with 1:16 left in the first half when Brady found receiver David Givens for 4 yards.

Related Topics:
L. J. Smith - Tom Brady - David Givens

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New England then took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 69 yards in 9 plays to take the lead 14-7 with Brady's 2-yard pass to linebacker Mike Vrabel, who lined up at the tight end spot on the play. The Eagles tied the game later with 3:39 left in the third period on McNabb's pass to running back Brian Westbrook for 10 yards.

Related Topics:
Mike Vrabel - Brian Westbrook

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Early in the fourth quarter, running back Corey Dillon ran 2-yards for a touchdown to give New England the lead again. Then after forcing another Eagles punt, the Patriots then added a field goal with 8:43 left in the game to increase the score 24-14.

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Philadelphia finally scored a touchdown with 1:55 remaining in the game with receiver Greg Lewis' 30-yard catch to cut the Patriots' lead 24-21. The drive took 3:52 off the clock and many sports writers later criticised the Eagles for not immediately going to a No-huddle offense. (Two days after the game, some Eagles players revealed that McNabb was so sick that he had trouble calling the plays).

Related Topics:
Greg Lewis - No-huddle offense

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The Eagles then failed to recover the onside kick. The Patriots then played it safe by running the ball and forcing Philadelphia to use all of its timeouts. After a punt, the Eagles got the ball back at their own 4-yard line with 46 seconds remaining in the game. But Harrison intercepted another pass to seal the victory.

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New England forced three interceptions, sacked McNabb four times, and only allowed 45 rushing yards.

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Scoring summary

• PHI - L.Smith 6 yd. pass from D.McNabb (D.Akers kick)
• NE - D.Givens 4 yd. pass from T.Brady (A.Vinatieri kick)
• NE - M.Vrabel 2 yd. pass from T.Brady (A.Vinatieri kick)
• PHI - B.Westbrook 10 yd. pass from D.McNabb (D.Akers kick)
• NE - C.Dillon 2 yd. run (A.Vinatieri kick)
• NE - A.Vinatieri 22 yd. Field Goal
• PHI - G.Lewis 30 yd. pass from D.McNabb (D.Akers kick)