Patriots and Eagles: who do you like?

Bye week is difficult for football fans; no NFL, but plenty of golf, college basketball, poker, and favorite reruns like the pop classic motion picture Con Air lots to choose from but no gridiron warfare.That all changes Sunday when the pride of New England, the Patriots, go for their third world title in the last four years against the scrappy Philadelphia Eagles. Who will win this clash of the titans? Derek Brooks, of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made this bold prediction: "someone." Jay Leno on The Tonight Show told his band leader Kevin Eubanks if the Eagles win the Super Bowl he would buy him the warmest jacket he could find because "that will have meant hell really has frozen over."Leno and Eubanks have also extended their bet thanks to Campbell's Soup. If the Eagles win Leno will sit atop a dunk tank filled with Campbell's Chunky Vegetable Soup and Eubanks will have the honor of dunking him. Should the Patriots win, Leno would get the chance to dunk Eubanks in Campbell's New England Clam Chowder. Tune in Monday to see a soaking.Hype has also trickled down to this year's half-time show. Janet Jackson won't be 'Oopsing I did it again," this year with a wardrobe malfunction. The NFL No Fun League is going conservative and bringing in icon Paul McCartney for a 12-minute half-time show. The lad from Liverpool promises to be on his best behavior. "I don't have a wardrobe to malfunction, so there are no worries on that front," he said of the half-time show. Enough already, Let it be.So, pick a winner. One has to think this group of Patriots is better than the previous New England teams to win the big dance, but in those games the Pats were not a big favorite. Maybe it's only in New England, but no one is giving the Eagles much of a chance. That's probably for good reason, the Patriots are better. They'll find a way to get it done and the hunch here is it won't come down to a last second field goal. The pick; Patriots 31-17.Here are some more fearless picks from the cheap seats:Ed Wagner "I'm taking the Eagles only because I'm a huge Patriots hater. Eagles 31-24.Mike Veilleux "The Pats. I can't go anywhere but the Pats they'll light it up 37-21. They're going to show everyone what the premier franchise is. I parallel them to the Kennett High ski team, the only difference we don't have any Belichicks, it's all the athletes."Wayne MacDonald "Patriots by 12. I'm pretty sure they're going to win it all."Todd Gallagher "I'm gonna take Pittsburgh. I think the Steelers are going to show up and play this Sunday because they certainly forgot to two weeks ago. This will be the third Super Bowl in the last four years that I won't watch. I'm sticking with Pittsburgh."Mark Hounsell "I say New England 38 and the Eagles 0. I've been right all year with the Patriots and just have a feeling they're going to win big. I'll predict that Rodney Harrison drops Freddie Mitchell like a bad habit." Peter Ames "I don't care. I just don't like either of the teams. I hate the Pats and can't cheer for the Eagles because they play in the Giants' division. It would be like rooting for Dallas... I think the Patriots will probably win handily."Gene Chandler "I would assume the Patriots. I think they're the better team. I really don't know why there's a point spread because I would think when you get into the Super Bowl both teams would be even."Brian Day "I've got to go with New England. I just think they'll be able to score against the Eagles. I never thought they would score 41 points against Pittsburgh."Chris Kevlin The Patriots by a mile. The AFC is just so much better than the NFC."Alvin Perry "How about Bill Belichick for president? I don't see how anyone could pick against Patriots. Other than (Donovan) McNabb and (Terrell) Owens not at 100 percent, they don't have any other big threats."Joe Voci "I've got to take the Patriots and would think everyone else would be too. Go Pats!"David Patch "The Patriots. Absolutely I'm picking the Patriots I couldn't do it any other way."Doug Garland "The Patriots of course. I think they'll do a good job and be ahead by about 10 points at the end of the game."Chuck Broomhall "The Patriots 31-14. The Patriots defense will come up big and stop McNabb; Corey Dillon will run for 100 yards; and Tom Brady will eat up the Eagles."Jeff McLellan "I'm afraid the Patriots will win, but I can't root for them because they beat my team (Pittsburgh). I think the Patriots should have to play the Steelers again for the tie-breaker."Bill Huffman "The Patriots 34-21. Brady will throw for two touchdowns; Dillon will run for one; and either (Willie) McGinnest or (Randall) Gay will run one back for another score. I think you'll see the Patriots up, by double-digits at the half."Blair Banker "The Patriots. I don't see it being much of a problem. I think they've played the two hardest teams in the NFL (Colts and Steelers) already. Patriots 27-10.David Carkuff "The Patriots will come out flat and the Eagles will surprise everyone. The Eagles are like the Red Sox don't count them out."David Gregory "I'm picking the Patriots. I think they'll win by 10."