Patriots Big Favorites Over Panthers In Super Bowl XXXVIII Rematch

NFL News - December 7th, 2009 - Written by John

The last time the New England Patriots met the Carolina Panthers, it was for the penultimate prize in the NFL. This one will be considerably less dramatic.

BetUS says that the Patriots are near two-touchdown favorites on Sunday, giving up 13 1/2 points against a Carolina team starting it's back-up quarterback and remaining hopeful for it's leading rusher. The over/under for the game is 44 according to the NFL Week 14 Betting Odds.

Not since Adam Vinatieri's 41-yard field goal won Super Bowl 38 in 2004 has the Patriots played the Panthers, and the differences in direction since that game has been staggering.

The Patriots returned to the championship game the following year, and then again in 2007-08 when they set the NFL record for points in a season. Shuffling players in-and-out through the off-season, Bill Belichick has attained a reputation of being able to achieve with a roster of throwaways like Leigh Bodden and Sammy Morris

The Panthers, however, have failed to live up to expectations, making the playoffs just twice since that Super Bowl, and are 5-7 this year. Jake Delhomme is tied for second in interceptions (18), and was held out last week after breaking a finger in Week 12.

They will likely be looking for a quarterback via free agency or draft, but remain as one of the most potent rushing teams in the league. Ranked third, they have over 1,800 yards, primarily from the duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

Williams leads the team with 1,022 yards, but missed last week with an injured ankle.

In his wake, Stewart took over and ran for 120 yards in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and scored the game's lone touchdown. Matt Moore was serviceable in his first start this season, completing 70-percent of his passes and connecting with Steve Smith on a 66-yard reception that led to a game-clinching field goal.

Although the history clearly favors the Patriots, they have fallen back to earth this year at 7-5, and have lost three of their last four. Ever since the fourth down debacle against the Indianapolis Colts four weeks ago, the Patriots have been handed dejecting losses in consecutive weeks, and only lead the division by one game. Two weeks ago it was a Monday night meltdown against the New Orleans Saints, then a collapse against the Miami Dolphins in which they surrendered an 11-point second-half lead. That's the bad news.

The good news is the remaining opponents on New England's schedule have gone a combined 21-27 this year, and it's offense remains powerful. Both Wes Welker and Randy Moss have over 1,000 yards already, and Tom Brady is just a big game away from crossing 4,000. Only four other teams have scored more points than the Patriots, and only the Saints have gained more yards.

They have the league's second-best turnover differential at plus-12, forcing 16 fumbles and 14 interceptions, while the Panthers' mark of minus-9 is third-worst.

Most of that has to do with Delhomme's shortcomings, but Moore will certainly have a full plate in his fifth-career start.