During the two weeks preceding the Super Bowl, I will be counting down the best Super Bowls I have witnessed in my lifetime, starting in 1988. I created a ranking system and will go game by game reliving each edition until the top Super Bowl is listed.
In a miraculous, improbable, and all together insane season, the Patriots pulled off an upset that only the Jets in '69 and the Giants in '08 against the Pats themselves would equal. As 14 point underdogs, not many were giving a team with a team full of no-names with a first-year QB a chance against the league's MVP at quarterback and the "Greatest Show on Turf". That's why they playing and that's when it was the time for a New Era Born in New Orleans.
New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
Semi-Lame Nickname: "Patriot's Day"
Scores:
Historical Significance- 4: There had not been an underdog of New England's stature to pull the upset in the modern era. The Rams were striving to become known as one of the elite teams in league history. The offense is considered by many as among the best of all time, and they had improved on defense, which had cost them an early playoff exit the year before.
Game Enjoyment By the Fans- 5: Months after the attacks of 9/11, sports became an outlet for the country to enjoy common bonds of life. The World Series of November had been spectacular, so too was the Super Bowl.
High Profile Element-4: The Rams offense was well known by this point. Warner, Faulk, Bruce, Holt. The defense was led on the line by Leonard Little(get off the road) and Grant Wistrom. London Fletcher led the way on at linebacker and Aeneas Williams, Dexter McClendon, and Dre Bly were a formidable secondary.
The Patriots season and history was forever changed on September 23, 2001. Jets linebacker Mo Lewis sheered a blood vessel in Drew Bledsoe's chest, leading the Pats to turn to their backup Tom Brady, a 6th round draft pick in 2000. Brady lost that game to New York, but he lead them to a divisional title. In the playoffs, the Patriots tucked their way passed the Raiders in the Snow Bowl(by the rules, pick up a rulebook Al Davis!) and then beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh. In that AFC Championship game, Brady went down with an ankle injury and Drew Bledsoe came in and led the Patriots to victory. While Brady got to play in the Super Bowl, Bledsoe will always have that piece of the championship.
Venue/Atmosphere- 5: Since 9/11 many different feeling,thoughts, and reflections have been made. The country was still as united as it has or had been for those few months. It made for quite a scene in the pre-game ceremonies. Mariah Carey sang the anthem and U2 performed at halftime. This was also the last game that Pat Summerall and John Madden announced together.
Personal Enjoyment- 5: The Patriots came out with a gameplan that was not forged in any secret video tape. The Patriots had played and lost to the Rams during the regular season which provided a firsthand for Bill Belichick. With his gameplan for Super Bowl 25 in the Hall of Fame, Belichick would again have to develop a tactic to slow down the league's most prolific offense. While many tried to stop the Rams with pressure on Kurt Warner, Belichick provided many DBs, sometimes up to 7, on the field to stop the Rams. He keyed in on hitting their speedy players hard and often. The plan worked until the 4th quarter when the Rams caught fire, but by then they only need one drive to win the game and Brady gave it to them.
Cleet's Rating Index: 23
Where I Was: I went to an apartment belonging to a few of my teammates to watch the game. Everyone treated it as a party, but for me and my fellow Patriot fan roommate, it was serious business. We parked ourselves in front of the TV and did not move until the game was over.
What Happened in the World: Sixteen days after the game NASA's Odyssey probe began mapping the surface of Mars. It eventually found 7 Wal-Marts.
Record of Note: Adam Vinatieri's FG to win the game was the first time the game was won by a score on the final play.
Game MVP: Tom Brady had game manager numbers as MVP(145 pass yards, 1 TD, no picks, and a game winning drive), but it got the job done in what was essentially his rookie year at QB.
LVP: Rams' turnover margin. Warner threw two picks and the Rams lost a fumble. The Patriots converted those picks into 17 points.
Most Memorable Play: This occurred before the game. Before this game, teams introduced their offensive or defensive starters as the game started. When the league asked Belichick which side of the ball he wanted announced, he said he wanted the whole team announced as one. At first the league refused, but eventually relented when Belichick would not budge. The Rams were the visitors and were announced their offense first. Then Pat Summerall, who was doing the public address announcing, stated, "And now ladies and gentlemen, choosing to be announced as a team the American Football Conference Champions, the New England Patriots." You can see the video here, with the Pats intro at 4:45.
NFL Fallout: The two franchises drifted in opposite directions; the Rams replaced Warner and the pieces dropped off while the Patriots began their rise to the top of the NFL throughout the decade.
Sunday, February 7
Super Bowl Countdown #5: XXXVI
Saturday, February 6
Super Bowl Countdown #7: Super Bowl XXXIV
During the two weeks preceding the Super Bowl, I will be counting down the best Super Bowls I have witnessed in my lifetime, starting in 1988. I created a ranking system and will go game by game reliving each edition until the top Super Bowl is listed.
Enter the game of inches cliche here. Super Bowl 34 came down to 36 of them. Many hold this Super Bowl at the top of their lists, but despite the crazy ending I do not think it warrants the tag. It is my #7 though and a terrific game out of what many thought were "non-sexy" franchises. Kurt Warner, who has recently announced his retirement, made an improbable rise to stardom for leading his team to the title. Georgia is on my 1-yard line next.
St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
Semi-Lame Nickname: "The Tackle"
Scores:
Historical Significance- 4: The Rams had turned around what had previously been a habit of losing into a 13-3 season. They went 4-12 the previous season but with Dick Vermeil at the helm and a trade for Marshall Faulk with Indy, the team turned around. The Titans arrived as the new incarnation of the Houston Oilers that were recently the Tennessee Oilers when they played in Memphis.
Game Enjoyment By the Fans- 5: The game is looked back on as an all-time great yet most people can only recall the final play.
High Profile Element-4: Most of the focus was on Kurt Warner who was a few years earlier bagging groceries. However, the offense that Vermeil and offensive coordinator Mike Martz implemented became known as the "Greatest Show on Turf". Marshall Faulk gained over 2,000 yards for the second consecutive season. Isaac Bruce was in his prime, complemented by rookie Torry Holt and Az Hakim. Orlando Pace was a recent number 1 pick on the offensive line and the Rams acquired Adam Timmerman from the Packers. Not to be overlooked was the Rams defense that allowed just 242 points while the team scored 526.
The Titans were led by Steve McNair(RIP) and running back Eddie George. A workhorse running back, George had over 1,700 all-purpose yards. Kevin Dyson was their number 1 receiver and Frank Wycheck was the reliable tight end. The defense constructed by Jeff Fisher was the trademark of the team though. Jevon Kearse was truly in freak form with 14.5 sacks in his rookie season and helped the Titans to a 13-3 record. However, the Jaguars bested the Titans in their own division with a record of 14-2 with their only losses to the Titans. Therefore Tennessee entered the playoffs as a wildcard team. In their first round game they pulled off one of the most miraculous plays in NFL history. There are still NO FLAGS ON THE FIELD:
Venue/Atmosphere- 4: The game was the second Super Bowl to be played in the Georgia Dome. Faith Hill sang the anthem,and I know she is still a vision, but 1999-2000 Faith Hill...oh my. The Halftime show was interesting, I'll just list the performers and let you draw your own conclusions: Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton with the show narrated by Edward James Olmos.
Personal Enjoyment- 5: From going to a game where you were just waiting for St. Louis to break it open to a pulse-pounding finish, the game's 4th quarter is among the very best.
Cleet's Rating Index: 22
Where I Was: I was a freshman in college for this one. Ironically, or sadly I watched it by myself in my dorm room. I did make the Grande Meal Run though. When I was in college and I could eat whatever I wanted I used to go down to Taco Bell 2 or 3 times a month and order a Grande Meal, 5 soft and 5 crunchy tacos. Add fire sauce, eat all ten tacos quickly, and then lean back and kiss the sky.
What Happened in the World: This game took place on January 30th, 2000. Remember all the Y2k panic? That was some bullshit.
Record of Note: Kurt Warner threw for 414 passing yards and 45 pass attempts without an interception.
Game MVP: Warner had an incredible game passing and now holds the record for passing yards in the Super Bowl. His 73-yard pass to Isaac Bruce for a TD in the 4th quarter proved to be the game winner, and it was a pass he made in the face of pressure.
LVP: The ABC Network. Not only did you roll out a lame ass Disney-themed halftime show, you kept showing Brenda Warner in the crowd after every play of the 4th quarter. Not one dramatic moment could go by without getting a reaction from Mrs. Warner in the stands, unbearable.
Most Memorable Play I can't go with the tackle here, it is too obvious. McNair's 3rd and 5 scramble with less than 30 seconds, escaping two rushers and getting the ball to Dyson would be one of the most heroic plays if the Titans had been able to convert on the final play. While the tackle is what is identified with this Super Bowl, I always recall that mad scramble from McNair.
NFL Fallout: The Titans would go on to have success under Fisher, who is now the league's longest tenured coach. However, they have not been able to make it back to big game. The Rams continued their prolific offense and made it back to the Super Bowl two years after this game but fell to the Patriots. After that, Warner lost the starting job and Faulk retired. The team was never the same and currently went 1-15 the past season.
