NFL Americas Game: New England Patriots

DESCRIPTION

OWith three Super Bowl wins in four years (2001-2004)-a feat equaled only by the Dallas Cowboys-the New England Patriots have established themselves as the first NFL dynasty of the 21st Century. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, Tom Brady out-gunned the Carolina Panthers, 32-29, and won his second Super Bowl MVP award in three years. Halloween, 2004, was a nightmare for New England: Ben Roethlisbergers Steelers ended the Patriots NFL-record 21-game winning streak and dealt a season-ending injury to All-Pro cornerback Ty Law. More injuries followed as the season progressed, weakening a once-dominant defense-but New England played on with a patchwork secondary that included 33-year-old wide receiver Troy Brown at nickel back. After the Patriots won the rematch against Big Ben for the AFC Championship, all that stood between them and a third world title in four seasons was the most fearsome receiver in the game-Philadelphias Terrell Owens, in Super Bowl XXXIX.