NFL Panthers-Patriots may not be pretty, but it's not boring

Both teams feature strong defenses, which should create a good matchup.
HOUSTON (AP) -- Two teams built on dominating defense, not awesome offense, rosters bereft of big names, coaches with a public persona as dry as the Texas sand.
On the surface, the Carolina Panthers against New England Patriots seems a super bore of a Super Bowl.
But, as any NFL linebacker will tell you, a bone-jarring defensive struggle has a certain beauty of its own.
"I don't think it's going to be boring, I think it's going to be a damn good game," New England linebacker Ted Johnson said. "It's two teams that have very strong wills, have a lot of confidence in what they do. It's going to be a war of wills, and I think that makes for a pretty exciting game."
The Panthers' defense is simple power, featuring a front four that applies severe pressure without the help of a blitz, backed by solid linebackers and an ever-improving secondary.
The Patriots are more complicated, adjusting under coach Bill Belichick's tutelage to take advantage of the perceived weakness of an offense.
Similar results
"At the end of the day, I think we both play well," Carolina coach John Fox said, "not just against yards, but in allowing points. They are two different styles, but the end results are the same."
The Panthers blend their strong defense with a ball-control offense, featuring the running of Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster. It's no "Greatest Show on Turf," but it works.
"We know our defense is going to take care of their job, and hopefully we'll do what we've done all year long," Carolina guard Kevin Donnalley said, "keep it close and find a way to win in the end."
Seven of the Panthers' 14 victories were by three points or less. Four of their wins were in overtime. They were seven-point underdogs against New England, but they were supposed to lose in the second round in St. Louis, and in the NFC championship game in Philadelphia, too.
Maybe most NFL fans would rather see the Rams, Packers or Eagles in Houston, but the Panthers made their case on the field. They are the ultimate no-name playoff team, with a quarterback -- Jake Delhomme -- who wasn't even drafted.
"We've been dealing with this all through the playoffs," Fox said. "The perception on the outside is something I can't change. The perception on the inside is that we believe we belong, and we'll give it our best shot."
Oddsmakers
Oddsmakers often are wrong in the Super Bowl.
Last year, Oakland was a 31/2-point choice and was routed 48-21 by Tampa Bay. Two years ago, New England came into the big game a 14-point underdog to St. Louis and not only covered, but won 20-17 on Adam Vinatieri's last-second field goal.
Since the 1996 Super Bowl, only two favorites have covered -- Denver in 1999 and Baltimore in 2001.
The Patriots, after winning as an underdog two years ago, aren't going to get carried away with being favored.
"We know this is going to be our toughest game of the year and that's what we're preparing for," Belichick said. "If we don't play that way, I'm sure we'll have plenty of problems."
Belichick has had two weeks to prepare a defensive game plan to counter Carolina's grind-it-out style. His reputation as a defensive mastermind is a big reason New England is such a big favorite.
New England has the closest thing to a big name in Tom Brady, who won this game in his second pro season two years ago.
"In my opinion, he's probably the best quarterback we're going to face all year," Carolina linebacker Dan Morgan said. "We've faced some good ones, but he's so precise at what he does. We just need to play a smart game because we know he's going to play a smart game, too."