American football: Patriots overcome Eagles for Super Bowl victory

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady holds up the NFL Vince Lombardi Championship trophy after his team's 24-21 Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles today. Picture / Reuters

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - The New England Patriots won Super Bowl 39 with a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles today, picking up their third National Football League title in the last four years.

American Football Conference champions New England just did enough to pull away from Philadelphia in the final period after the teams were tied 14-14 after three quarters, trading two touchdowns apiece in the first 45 minutes of action.

Despite a nervous start, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gathered his composure to join Troy Aikman as a winner of three Super Bowls.

The victory was also a third for coach Bill Belichick.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was hoping to lead the National Football Conference champions to their first title but he was unable to inspire his team to victory against the more-experienced Patriots.

- REUTERS