This time last year, the term "wardrobe malfunction" was not even thought of. But now, as Super Bowl XXIX approaches, all a person hears is references about last year's halftime show.

Hopefully, this will not overshadow what should be and has the potential to be a really good game. The New England Patriots come into the game looking like the giant-killers of the American Football Conference by knocking off the Indianapolis Colts and then the Pittsburgh Steelers in consecutive weeks. The Patriots, led by defense coordinator Romeo Crommel has made stopping opposing offenses into an art form as he had Peyton Manning throwing the ball up for grabs and ending the game with five interceptions. The Patriots defense had Big Ben Roethlesburger finally looking like a rookie.

They will do that to Donovan McNabb Sunday night.

This game has the potential to be exciting. But if the Patriots play to their strengths, they have the ability to shut down the offense even if Terrell Owens is playing against medical advice. The Eagles won homefield during the NFC playoffs and have had that going for them mainly because they've played teams that aren't used to the cold weather.

This weekend they are playing a team that plays in colder weather.

That will be another reason the Patriots will be victorious. The Eagles will not have the cold, frigid weather of Philly to be their literal "12th Man." The Super Bowl is being played in sunny Jacksonville, Fla. That means that both teams are playing on equal turf in what should mild to warm weather, but to these teams if its above 40 it's a hot streak. In the end you will see one team happy and one team sad. The Patriots will be the happy team.

It's that simple.

Griffin Pritchard is the sports editor of the Greenville Advocate. He can be reached by phone at 382-3111 or via email: griffin.pritchard@greenvilleadvocate.com