The Patriots did not trail in many games in 2004-05.
"Down 7-0 in a Super Bowl, sometimes you might get tight," said Bruschi. "But we've been in the big games."
Brady found David Givens in the right corner for a 4-yard touchdown pass to complete a 37-yard drive and make it 7-7. Givens entertained 800 million watchers with a little T.O.-style celebration. Before halftime, Eugene Wilson broke his arm on kick return coverage, further depleting the Patriot secondary.
Brady surgically dissected the Eagles in the opening drive of the second half, taking the Patriots 69 yards on nine plays, capping the drive with a 2-yard TD toss to linebacker Mike Vrabel (seen that before?) for a 14-7 lead.
The Eagles were not dead. McNabb took advantage of the Patriots' impaired defensive backfield and took Philadelphia 74 yards in 10 plays. When McNabb hit Brian Westbrook over the middle for a 10-yard TD strike, it was 14-14 with 3:35 left in the third.
It was still tied when the third quarter ended (the first Super Bowl tied after three), but the Patriots were driving. With Dillon and Kevin Faulk grinding out yardage, the Patriots rolled to the Eagle 2-yard line, finally scoring from there on a run by Dillon. It was 21-14 with 13:44 left.
The Patriots never trailed again. And now they've won three Super Bowls in four years, something that's only been done once (Cowboys in 1992, '94, '95) in the history of the NFL.
Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. His e-mail address is dshaughnessy@globe.com.
