The Eagles gave it all they had ? including an improbable appearance by Terrell Owens ? but in the end, the Patriots proved to be a bit too much, winning yet another close Super Bowl to secure their third title in four years.

At least, that's how Madden NFL 2005 sees the game playing out.

We simulated the action using Madden for the PlayStation®2 to get a preview of what we might expect to see in this year's big game. Last year, Madden correctly predicted the three-point margin between the Pats and the Panthers; this year, the margin is five points, but the same team is still coming out on top as New England won the simulation 26-21 over Philadelphia.

Watch Video of the Simulation: Hi-res | Lo-res

The Pats stopped Philly when it counts most

Like last year's simulation ? and like the real game itself ? this year's sim has the Patriots needing a late rally to pull off the victory. New England gets on the board first with a Tom Brady-to-Troy Brown touchdown toss from 15 yards out, and the defenses take over after that as the score remains 7-0 until deep into the second quarter. With just over five minutes left in the half, Donovan McNabb finds a gimpy Terrell Owens down the sideline for a 22-yard strike to tie the score, but the Pats mount a drive and get a field goal to end the half with the lead, 10-7.

The defenses open up a bit in the second half, with New England marching down on the opening possession of the third period and upping its lead after Brady hits Deion Branch from 30 yards out. Philadelphia counters with a solid drive of its own as Brian Westbrook caps the team effort with a 25-yard touchdown jaunt to cut the score to 17-14.

Another Patriot field goal increases their lead to six early in the fourth quarter, and after the teams trade punts, the Eagles mount an 82-yard drive and grab the lead 21-20 as McNabb hits Freddie Mitchell on a flawless post pattern that covered 20 yards. Now relying on its defense, Philadelphia still gets manhandled as the Patriots use Corey Dillon almost exclusively on the ensuing drive, as the running back picks up 38 yards on the ground and another 12 through the air and ends the drive with a 10-yard run to put the Patriots back on top with just 1:13 on the clock.

A familiar sight for Patriots fans

The Pats go for two and don't convert, leaving the score at 26-21, and Philly is unable to get the ball even close to the end zone in the little remaining time. Once again, the Patriots prove to be the class of the NFL, while Eagles fans must wait even longer for their team to win a Super Bowl.

Brady finished 19 of 31 passing, for 287 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Dillon had 94 yards rushing for the Pats, while Branch racked up 85 receiving yards. Rodney Harrison had 10 tackles and an interception while Tedy Bruschi added five tackles and a sack for the Patriot defense. On the Philadelphia side, McNabb ended 24 of 34 for 242 yards, two scores and a pick, and Westbrook had 83 yards on the ground. Owens managed four catches but Westbrook was also the leading receiver with 85 yards. Defensively, Jevon Kearse had six tackles and two sacks in the losing effort.

SUPER BOWL XXXIX BOX SCORE

PHIL	0	7	7	7	-	21
NE	7	3	7	9	-	26

1 - NE: Brown 15 pass from Brady (Vinatieri kick), 8:01
2 - PHI: Owens 22 pass from McNabb (Akers kick), 5:25
2 - NE: Vinatieri 36 FG, 0:38
3 - NE: Branch 30 pass from Brady (Vinatieri kick), 11:53
3 - PHI: Westbrook 25 run (Akers kick), 7:12
4 - NE: Vinatieri 41 FG, 14:13
4 - PHI: Mitchell 20 pass from McNabb (Akers kick), 5:13
4 - NE: Dillon 10 run (conversion failed), 1:13