Patriots against the odds

So the New England Patriots did it. They went through the regular season undefeated. It is truly one of the most difficult and memorable tasks in sports history.

But it ain't over. They still have to win the Super Bowl. And don't worry, anti-Patriots fans, the Patsies are against the odds (well maybe not Vegas odds) to win the Super Bowl.

Huh?

You read that correct: The Patsies are against the odds to win the Super Bowl - thanks to their pass-happy attack.

Sure there's the ol' adage that you have to run the ball to win the big one. But that isn't the case all the time. The Joe Montana- and Steve Young-led 49ers had pass first offenses. Peyton Manning won it last year with a pass-first attack. Even the Cowboys of the 1990s had good passing attacks.

In fact, you don't have to establish the run to win the big one. In 2004, the Patriots threw 51 times and ran just 17 times in beating the Eagles. In 2000, the Rams threw the ball 45 times compared to 13 rushes and beat the Titans.

But here's the kicker to my argument: No NFL passing yardage leader has ever won the Super Bowl.

It's hard to believe, I know. But it's true.

Tom Brady led the league in passing this season with 4,806 yards. Consider it a bad omen for New England.

Dan Marino lost the Super Bowl when he passed for 5,084 yards. Dan Fouts lost the AFC Championship after passing for 4,802 yards. Kurt Warner lost the Super Bowl when he threw for 4,830 yards.

"Yeah, well none of those guys had Randy Moss to throw to," you say.

Daunte Culpepper lost in the second round of the playoffs after throwing for 4,717 yards in 2004 with Moss.

It's true. The NFL passing leader is 0-for-41 at winning the Super Bowl.

Whether it's defenders with increased intensity and focus during the playoffs or a curse, it's fact.

Unfortunately for anti-Pats, all it is is a stat.

If needed, Bill Belichick will adjust and the Patriots will run the ball effectively to win. On top of that, it's the defense that really makes the Patriots unbeatable.

The Patriots' record-breaking offense made all the headlines this season and turned their pretty-good defense into an afterthought.

Sure, New England set an NFL record with 589 points scored in a season, but it has an outstanding defense as well. The unit finished fourth in fewest points and yards allowed and second in sacks. Had Eli Manning not played out of his mind against the Pats in the regular-season finale, the Patriots would have been in contention for the NFL's best in points scored and points allowed.

So mark it down: If the Patriots can get past the Colts (which have a great defense with Bob Sanders uninjured), Cowboys or Packers, Brady will be the first NFL passing leader to win a Super Bowl - thanks, in part, to his defense.

Carl Hennell is a sports reporter for the Daily Inter Lake. He can be reached at chennell@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4446.