Don’t expect the Patriots and Panthers to light up the Super Bowl scoreboard. Not with defenses like these.

The way New England and Carolina are playing, they’re sure to provide plenty of sacks and turnovers in a surprise matchup in the NFL championship game Feb. 1. The Patriots opened as early seven-point favorites, and with good reason.

They have won 14 straight, becoming the first team since the unbeaten 1972 Dolphins to win 14 games in a row in one season and have coach of the year Bill Belichick on their sideline. And for the second time in three years, they are in the Super Bowl.

But Carolina? Two years ago, the Panthers were 1-15. No one gave the Panthers much of a chance in these playoffs, either, not with Philadelphia and St. Louis snatching the top two seeds in the NFC.

Behind a strong defense and steady quarterback play, the Panthers first stunned the Rams on the road in the divisional round. Then they went into Philadelphia and dominated, 14-3, Sunday in the championship game to earn their first Super Bowl berth.

Ricky Manning Jr. had three interceptions, and the defense made Donovan McNabb miserable, forcing the standout quarterback out of the game because of bruised ribs.

“The defense played lights out,” Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme said. “It’s a huge team win, and that’s what this is about.”

Look familiar?

The Patriots beat Indianapolis, 24-14, in the AFC championship game the same way, harassing co-MVP Peyton Manning into his worst game of the season. Ty Law also had three interceptions, and Jarvis Green had three of their four sacks.

“I’m going to try not to think about the Patriots tonight so I can at least get some sleep,” Delhomme said. “I don’t want to think about that defense just yet.”

Now the Super Bowl in Houston features two defensive teams with consistent quarterbacks. Manning and McNabb may have grabbed all the headlines, but Tom Brady and Delhomme are the only quarterbacks left playing.

Carolina, known mostly for its off-field problems until this season, cruised to the NFC South title. It all happened just two seasons after one of the most disastrous finishes in NFL history.

The final game to close it out was against New England Jan. 6, 2002 — the last regular-season meeting between the two teams.

The Patriots won, 38-6, to wrap up the AFC East title and hand the Panthers their record 15th consecutive loss in front of a nearly empty stadium. George Seifert was fired the next morning, while the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl, with Brady leading the way.

This season, Brady finished third to Steve McNair and Peyton Manning in the MVP voting, and he did enough against the Colts, going 22-of-37 for 237 yards and a touchdown.

The more impressive statistic: Brady is undefeated in five playoff appearances and 39-12 in his first 51 starts.

“Tom Brady is the greatest winner in football right now,” Law said. “I want to go out there with Tom Brady. With all due respect to Steve and Peyton, winning is the card that trumps everything.”

Both teams know how to win with defense. The Panthers have one of the best lines in the league with ends Mike Rucker and Julius Peppers, tackles Kris Jenkins, an All-Pro, and Brentson Buckner, thanks to defensive coach John Fox.

“We know they’ve got a great defense, especially their front seven. They’ve got some very dynamic players up front,” Belichick said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”