DYNASTY ... OR DESTINY PATRIOTS, EAGLES BATTLE TO BE BEST.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Like Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction and the decision to put a Super Bowl here, some things just aren't meant to happen.

Such as defending your title with the restraints of the salary cap and freedom of free agency, as New England is on the brink of doing.

Or, for Philadelphia, winning a championship, especially if it means brushing past the ghosts of playoffs past without the player who was supposed to chase those demons away.

So when the Patriots and Eagles kick off today at 3:25 p.m. under expected cloudy skies in a 50-degree chill at Alltel Stadium, something will have to give.

Will it be dynasty or destiny?

New England, which scored impressive playoff victories over Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, is a seven-point favorite to win its third Super Bowl in four years - something only the Cowboys of the mid-1990s accomplished.

In Philadelphia, where there hasn't been a pro sports title since 1983, the Eagles had lost three consecutive NFC Championship Games. They are playing in their first Super Bowl since the 1980 season and vying for their first NFL title since 1960.

There haven't been two more successful franchises this decade than the Eagles and Patriots. They've done it by expertly manipulating their rosters and developing talent in an era that puts a premium on both.

Each team made controversial offseason deals that have paid off. When the Patriots traded for running back Corey Dillon and the Eagles made a swap for receiver Terrell Owens, both deals were viewed as risks because Dillon in Cincinnati and Owens in San Francisco had developed reputations as malcontents.

Dillon, who rushed for a club-record 1,635 yards, transformed a Patriots offense that was 27th in the league in rushing a year ago.

``He's given us a presence in the running game, both in terms of making tough yards and short-yardage, goal-line situations,'' Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. ``He's been a complete player for us.''

Owens changed the Eagles' attack by giving them the home-run threat they lacked. He caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and a club-record 14 touchdowns, although he missed the final 2 1/2 games after injuring his knee and ankle Dec. 19 against Dallas.

Owens, who underwent surgery, sat out Saturday's walk-through, but is expected to play. The questions are how much and how effective will he be? And will his mere presence provide Willis Reed-like inspiration?

``When you have a guy like T.O., everyone knows that it is an added weapon,'' quarterback Donovan McNabb said. ``We are able to do a lot more.''

Questions about Owens dominated the week's media sessions, which many Eagles were experiencing for the first time. Only four have played in a Super Bowl before, and many hauled around video cameras all week.

The Patriots have plenty of experience at this - particularly quarterback Tom Brady, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, and kicker Adam Vinatieri, who booted last-second field goals to win two Super Bowls.

Brady will be playing with a heavy heart after his grandmother's death earlier this week, but he's been at his best in the playoffs. He's 8-0 in the postseason in his career and passed New England down the field to set up both of those Super kicks.

``The last two minutes of the game, you get in that huddle and (he'd say), 'All right, guys, it's up to us. Let's go do this thing,''' guard Joe Andruzzi said. ``That just reflects on everybody else on the offense. He relaxes the huddle.''

Brady hasn't been perfect. In the Patriots' two regular-season losses, to Miami and Pittsburgh, he turned the ball over six times.

The Eagles, with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's unpredictable blitzes, led the NFL in scoring defense, and their 47 sacks were second in the NFL. Their run defense has been much improved since Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter moved into the lineup in early November.

No matter what Philadelphia gets out of Owens, the offense will revolve around McNabb, whose mobility not only allows him to run, but to move in the pocket and create plays downfield - particularly critical against a makeshift Patriots secondary that lost starters Ty Law and Tyrone Poole to injury.

``Every play with Donovan could potentially turn out a lot differently than it started because of his ability to run and improvise,'' Belichick said. ``Sometimes he scrambles and runs, sometimes he scrambles and throws a little outlet pass, sometimes he scrambles and hits a guy 50 or 60 yards down the field. It's very difficult to defend because you are defending so much ground and so many different people.''

Patriots safety Rodney Harrison will have a particular interest in seeing when the ball goes to Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell (UCLA), who said he would have ``something'' for the hard-hitting Harrison.

Many of the Eagles carry their confidence more quietly. They are the winningest team in the NFL in this decade with 59 victories. And coach Andy Reid is 8-0 in games in which he has two weeks to prepare.

Then there is Belichick, who has set a standard for excellence. He is 9-1 in the playoffs, equaling the record of the late Vince Lombardi, after whom the Super Bowl trophy is named.

Another win and the Patriots' coach will have to answer questions about a dynasty, something that finally might be meant to happen.

Billy Witz, [phone]

billy.witz(at)dailynews.com

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