PlayStation 2 contest bodes well for Panthers

HOUSTON - It's only a game -- but not really. It's the ninth-annual "Game before the game," a simulation of the Super Bowl played on 989 Sports NFL GameDay 2004 on PlayStation 2.

This year, Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers faced Troy Brown of the New England Patriots. Both are wide receivers.

For the past eight years, players from the AFC and NFC championship teams have gone head-to-head. Deion Sanders and Pat O'Brien of "Access Hollywood" were on hand for jokes and play-by-play Wednesday night.

Sanders noticed that Smith "relied on a heavy dose of Stephen Davis." The crucial receptions at game's end fell to Smith, of course.

Final score: 29-21 Panthers.

What was on everyone's mind: Eight years in a row, whoever wins this baby wins the Super Bowl.

I bet your team "can't wait to see you," Sanders told Brown, who looked none too pleased.

After winning, Smith held up his trophy and said, "I'd like to thank ..." surely hoping to repeat the scene Sunday.

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