Keys to Victory Don't Change

If you want to win in the postseason, you must run the ball successfully and play good defense. Again last week, this was the case.

Philadelphia out-rushed Atlanta by 57 yards. Defensively, they held the Falcons to 99 rush yards (well below their average), had 2 more sacks than Atlanta's defense, and were +1 in turnovers.

New England was out-rushed by Pittsburgh, but the Patriots had 126 yards rushing. That's about what you expect. Usually, when a team gets out-rushed by a lot, they lose. The exception is when a team dominates defensively and gets turnovers.

I wrote last week "The Patriots lost 2 games where they failed to get an interception. That is a big key for them. New England must win the turnover battle to win this game. They were minus-4 in that department in their first meeting." Quite a turnaround! This time New England got 3 interceptions and won big.

In the Super Bowl, the winner will be the team that runs the ball well and plays great defense. Philadelphia has a good defense, one of the best around. But the Patriots have the better defense. And that should be the difference. I just think the Patriots' linebackers and schemes will turn the tide eventually.