USC shows pros how

The Rose Bowl game, which the USC offense won by throwing the ball on almost every play in the second half, was an illustration of how to decide important football games -- college or pro. It was thus an illustration of and a victory for air power.

The Trojans rid the sports world of the myth that to advance the football, it is essential to set up pass plays with running plays or vice versa.

To the contrary, there’s no necessary relationship between the two.

In big games, football can in fact be played most effectively by a team that throws the ball on nearly every down.

USC’s romp wasn’t, of course, the first by a good pass offense.

On pro as well as college fields, it has happened before.

Football’s more intelligent offensive players and coaches have noticed that in big games -- college bowl games or NFL playoff games -- passing beats running nearly every time.

Against good teams in big games, almost every running play is a wasted down. Almost every passing play moves the ball.

Good defenses can stop good running attacks. But nothing can stop a well-timed, well-thrown pass.

Patriots’ Brady is on his way again

The Super Bowl will be won again this year by the best passing team, which is one way to identify the New England Patriots, who have the league’s best quarterback, Tom Brady, as well as a demonstrated interest in pass offense.

Leading up to Super Bowl XLI in Miami’s Dolphin Stadium on Feb. 4, the NFL’s playoff season will start with the Patriots and seven other teams in four games Saturday and Sunday.

* Saturday (AFC) Kansas City at Indianapolis, Channel 4, 1:30 p.m. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning faces one challenge: to outscore his defensive team -- that is, to produce more points than the Colts’ defense will give up against Kansas City running back Larry Johnson.

* Saturday night (NFC) Dallas at Seattle, Channel 4, 5 p.m. It has been called, with some justification, the Back-In Bowl -- for each team has lost three of its last four. Someone has to win this one, and the Cowboys figure. They’ll send two exceptional receivers, Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, against a defense that has lost both of its starting cornerbacks to injury. With a 9-7 record, Seattle, somehow, is still alive. The Cowboys are also 9-7.

* Sunday morning (AFC) New York Jets at New England, 10 a.m., Channel 2. It will be an upset if Patriots quarterback Brady fails to pummel the Jets, whose 2006 record, 10-6, suggests a better team than they have.

* Sunday afternoon (NFC) New York Giants at Philadelphia, 1:30 p.m., Channel 11. The Giants leaders, quarterback Eli Manning and Coach Tom Coughlin, have been inconsistent and ineffective. The Eagles are better with Coach Andy Reid and even with second-string quarterback Jeff Garcia.