super bowl xxxix
On February 6, 2005, Jacksonville Florida’s ‘Jacksonville Municipal Stadium’ became host to Super Bowl XXXIX. This would be the first time Jacksonville played host to one of the largest annual economic booms in America.
The game pitted the favored New England Patriots against the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming off their 2004 win in super bowl XXXVIII, the Patriots could have a two-in-a-row shot, something that has not been accomplished since 1998. Going in to the game, the Patriots had a 17-2 season while the Eagles showed 15 wins and 4 losses in their regular season.
The Patriots faced another challenge in the game, this was their first time playing a super bowl in an outside Stadium and a first east of the Mississippi River. Attempting to make a ‘three-peat’ in four years, the Patriots determination and heart in the game would lead them to accomplish this victory.
Their first Super Bowl appearance in 25 years gave the Philadelphia Eagles something to shoot for as well, they wanted this win to be their very first. Unfortunately, Deion Branch’s super bowl record 11 receptions for 133 yards and the Patriots’ exceptional defense would not allow Philadelphia this honor. Philadelphia’s 74 yard drive and 10-yard TD pass, late in the third quarter was just not enough, although the game was tied going into the fourth. The patriots scored early in the 4th pushing a 10 point gap at 24-14.
With less than six minutes on the clock, Philadelphia, determined to win super bowl XXXIX, made a 79-yard drive and accomplished a TD pass to Lewis to close the gap at 24-21. The Eagles gained possession of the ball with less than 2 minutes on the clokc and made a valiant attempt to at least tie the game. In the last minute the Eagles McNabb hit Westbrook at the scrimmage line, Westbrook attempted to run and was quickly tackled. The clock continued as the Eagles scrambled for another play without a huddle, McNabb made an incomplete pass on the 2nd down. The third down resulted in a Patriot interception by Harris and left less than 10 seconds on the clock. This sealed the fate of the Eagles valiant efforts and gave the Patriots the win in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXIX was New England wide receiver Deion Branch, who chalked up 133 receiving yards and tied the Super Bowl record with 11 catches.