Another season has come to a close, and the Patriots and Panthers gave fans quite an ending. Super Bowl XXXVIII had everything you could ask for: great defense in the first and third quarters and great offense in the second and fourth. It featured the longest scoreless start to a Super Bowl and the highest-scoring quarter (37 points in the fourth). I can't wait for next season to start so we can write a new chapter in the NFL history books that will hopefully top the one that was just written.

A Special Note About Pat Summerall
My thoughts and prayers are with Pat Summerall and his family at this time as he is hospitalized and awaiting a donor so he can have a liver transplant. Although I cannot be with him in Florida, I will do anything I can to support him and his family.
-- John Madden

Going into the NFC and AFC championships, I envisioned a tough, physical game from the Eagles and Panthers and an exciting game from the Patriots and Colts. In my column, I talked about how a hot Donovan McNabb could affect the outcome of the game — but I didn't know it would be because of the three interceptions he threw to Panthers CB Ricky Manning Jr.! I also didn't expect Colts QB Peyton Manning to have such a horrible game against the Pats. But that's why they play the games!