Over the next two weeks Philguard will be counting down the top 10 moments in the past 42 years in the big game. Today…
Brady’s Bunch
Those that stand on the field and fight, no matter the odds, are often known as Patriots.
When: Super Bowl XXXVI, February 3, 2002
Where: The Super Dome
2001 saw a resurgence of the “greatest show on turf”. The St. Louis Rams had won Super Bowl XXXIV but defensive woes had led to a 10-6 record in 2000 leading to a wildcard spot and a first round exit. But the Rams came into the new season with a new focus and polished off opponent after opponent on their way to an NFL best 14-2 record. In the playoffs, a convincing 45-17 win over Brett Favre and the Packers in the divisional round was followed by a 29-24 win over the Eagles in the NFC Championship game to set up the second Super Bowl trip for the Rams in 3 years.
If the Rams and Kurt Warner were no surprise in the 2001 season, their Super Bowl opponent was just as much of a shock. The New England Patriots went into the season with Quarterback Drew Bledsoe and lost their first 2 games. To make matters worse, Bledsoe suffered an injury after a hit by the Jets Mo Lewis that threatened to sideline the franchise Quarterback for several weeks. He would be replaced by a second year player who the Patriots had picked up in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, Tom Brady. Brady would take the NFL by storm winning 11 of the next 14 games and earning the Patriots a first round bye in the playoffs. In the divisional round the Patriots would take on the Oakland Raiders in blizzard like conditions. Trailing 13-10 with less than 2 minutes left Brady would be sacked by defensive back Charles Woodson and seemingly fumbled the football. After a booth review, Referee Walt Coleman would overturn the ruling on the field because Brady’s arm was moving forward, even though he was not attempting to throw a pass but attempting to tuck the ball away to protect it from the rushing defenders. The “tuck rule” allowed the Patriots to keep possession and kicker Adam Vinatieri would tie the game with a field goal. The Pats would win the overtime coin toss and take possession and score again with a field goal to win setting up an AFC Championship game with the Steelers. The Steelers forced Brady out of the game with a sprained ankle but Bledsoe would return to the field for the first time since September and the Pats would win 21-17 securing the trip to New Orleans.
In the wake of the September 11th attacks the Super Bowl would be a red, white and blue affair. Pregame, halftime and even the game itself would turn out to have a patriotic tone. The Patriots even requested to be introduced as a team instead of the customary personal introductions. In the first half the Patriots defense held the vaunted Rams offense to just a field goal and Ty Law had returned an interception 47 yards. That score plus an offensive touchdown set up by a fumble recovery gave New England a 14-6 lead at the half. Another field goal in the third pushed the Pats ahead 17-3. In the fourth quarter, Warner was able to push the ball over the goal line to pull within a touchdown with just under ten minutes to go. The Rams defense would hold up the Pats long enough to give Warner a chance to tie the score at 17 with a 26 yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl.
Brady and the Pats offense took the field with no time outs and 1:30 left till what could have been the first overtime in Super Bowl history. John Madden told the audience watching on TV that the Pats would have to play for overtime. Patriots’ Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weiss told Brady to make sure he took care of the ball to which Bledsoe, standing nearby replied, “F*ck that, just sling it”. While Brady didn’t necessarily “sling it”, he would lead the offense down the field and spike the ball on the Rams 30 yard line with 7 seconds left in regulation. Vinatieri would kick the 48 yard winning field goal as time expired to beat the Rams (favored by 2 touchdowns) 20-17 as Brady would be named MVP.