Further Conjecture #389: If the Panthers had CONVERTED the two 2-pointers they missed the score would have 33-29 in the Panthers favor with NE having the ball for the final drive.......Except then NE would have needed a touchdown, NOT a field goal, since the Panthers would have been ahead by 4 points with time running out.
Actually the Panthers would only have converted the one two-pointer. After making the first one, the second attempt would have been unnecessary. So the score would have been 31-29 in the Panthers favor. But of course, that's just conjecture because had the Panthers converted, I'm sure that would have affected play-calling that would have almost surely given us a different result.
Still can't believe what a great game I saw last night. And I do feel badly for the Panthers. They certainly came to play last night and Delhomme was at times, spectacular. That 85-yard throw was a thing of beauty. As perfectly thrown ball in that situation as you could ever want. The Patriots secondary got burned more times last night than they did all season.
What can I say about Tom Brady however. The guy is just as cool as a cucumber and he makes just enough plays to win the big game. When the Panthers tied the game with 1:07 left, I just knew that Brady was going to get Vinatieri in range for a winning field goal. I'm not normally a betting man but I would have laid money on it then and there.