The New England Patriots Vs. Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl 2-3-2019 official Thread
- Thread starter Beeiii
- Start date
Don’t go anywhere
Let's rewind the last time these two meet in the super Bowl.........Ah the good old times!!!!!!
In 2002, the Patriots were a Cinderella team. Then they won Super Bowl XXXVI, and a dynasty began
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after their win over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans on February 3, 2002.
(CNN)The Patriots weren't supposed to be in this Super Bowl -- much less win it.
No, in 2002, at Super Bowl XXXVI, it's probably safe to say no one expected a Patriots dynasty to begin. Not with 24-year-old Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick in 2000, starting the 2001 season as a backup quarterback, and Bill Belichick, who had a losing record in his first six seasons as an NFL head coach with the Cleveland Browns and New England.
In 2019, it's still perilous to count out the Patriots -- even with Brady now 41 years old and Belichick at 66. Super Bowl LIII will be the ninth -- ninth! -- Super Bowl appearance for the duo.
But 17 years ago, New England was not a team that NFL fans around the country envied -- or loved to hate.
At age 24, Brady won Super Bowl MVP -- the first of four in his illustrious career.
'The Greatest Show on Turf'
In those days, a team with dynasty potential was the St. Louis Rams. Known as "The Greatest Show on Turf," they had won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 against the Tennessee Titans -- a classic finish that came down to the final play in Atlanta. Mike Martz, who was the offensive coordinator for that title, was now head coach, having replaced Dick Vermeil.
St Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz.
Their offense was loaded with future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and offensive lineman Orlando Pace. Additionally, they had wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt. They also had a future hall-of-famer on defense in cornerback Aeneas Williams.
The Patriots, meanwhile, started their season with the established Drew Bledsoe at quarterback. But things turned quickly. In Week 2, New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis smashed into Bledsoe near the sideline. The Patriots QB had a concussion and internal bleeding from the hit, leaving the game in an ambulance.
Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, who won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 against the Titans, was back in his second championship game.
In came Brady to finish the game. No one knew it at the time, but the NFL landscape permanently was altered.
Even after Bledsoe healed, Brady kept the starting job. The Patriots went 11-5, winning the AFC East division and earning a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. Despite Brady suffering a sprained ankle in the AFC title game -- giving Bledsoe the chance to play the hero role -- New England still upset the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
NFL's Cinderella team was going to the Super Bowl. But how hobbled was Brady? Could the Patriots slow the Rams' offensive firepower? St. Louis was listed as a 14-point favorite for the February 3, 2002, matchup at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
"Bill Belichick faces a week with one endless echoing question: Who starts Sunday?" CNN's Tom Rinaldi said at the time.
"We'll take a look at Tom's situation and we'll make the evaluation there and we'll talk about that," Belichick said. "We'll make a decision later on in the week."
Said Brady: "I know I'll be prepared if they tell me to start."
'The Patriots are winning the battle'
After a week of treatment on the ankle, Brady was back behind center for Super Bowl Sunday. According to Fox sideline reporter Rob Pitts, Brady's prep ahead of the game included ice, a massage that lasted almost 45 minutes and that he planned to take a pain injection "just for a peace of mind."
On paper, the Rams appeared in control in this game. They had more first downs (26) than the Patriots (15). They had more total yards (427) than New England (267). They also won the time of possession (33:30 to 26:30).
What was missing, though, were points.
"The Rams have had the ball, they've gone up and down the field, they've had the time of possession, they have all those things, but they only have three points," Fox analyst John Madden, who won Super Bowl XI as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, said early in the second quarter. "They're winning the game, but I think the Patriots are winning the battle."
Patriots corner back Ty Law after intercepting Warner's pass during first-half action.
New England made it 7-3, as Ty Law streaked down the sideline for a 47-yard touchdown off a Warner interception with 8:49 left in the second quarter. Later in the half, Antwan Harris forced a fumble off Ricky Proehl. It was recovered by Terrell Buckley, scampering 15 yards into Rams territory setting up a two-minute drill for Brady. An 8-yard touchdown pass from Brady to David Patten made it 14-3 just before halftime.
"Bill Belichick told me the other night, 'We've just got to be physical,'" Madden said. "He said, 'The only way we can win this game is we have to be more physical on them, and we have to find other ways to score, other than our offense.'"
Fox play-by-play man Pat Summerall, a former NFL placekicker who won the NFL championship in 1952 with the Detroit Lions, then said something that may not have withstood the test of time -- at least with reporters: "Talk about a guy that's become easier to converse with and loosened up."
What Madden said after that, however, definitely holds up in present day.
"He's a great coach," he said.
Patriots defensive end Willie McGinest celebrates after sacking Warner during the second half.
'This is what Super Bowls are supposed to be'
A 37-yard field goal from a then-29-year-old Adam Vinatieri -- the byproduct of another Warner interception -- made it 17-3 in the third quarter. Early in the fourth, the Patriots almost put the game away for good.
On fourth down at the Patriots' 3-yard line, Warner was hit and fumbled the ball. Tebucky Jones recovered for New England and ran 97 yards to the end zone. But the play was called back for defensive holding on Willie McGinest.
The Rams capitalized on New England's mistake, and Warner's 2-yard run up the middle pulled St. Louis within seven. Later, a Warner 26-yard touchdown pass to Proehl tied it at 17.
One minute, 30 seconds remained in the game. Neither team had any timeouts.
"This is what Super Bowls are supposed to be, Pat," Madden said.
Warner runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
'I've been impressed watching Tom Brady'
After the kickoff, the Patriots had the ball on their own 17.
"I think that the Patriots, with this field position, you just have to just run the clock out," Madden said. "You have to play for overtime now."
There had never been an overtime game in a Super Bowl, and there wouldn't be OT that night. That eventually would happen for the first time in Super Bowl LI, when Brady, Belichick and the Patriots stunned the Atlanta Falcons to complete the biggest comeback in the title game's history.
Instead, Brady dazzled. He completed five passes on the drive, three of those to J.R. Redmond and another a 23-yarder to Troy Brown that brought the ball into St. Louis territory.
"I've been impressed watching Tom Brady. ... The way he's played in this game today, he has been very, very impressive with his calmness," Madden remarked.
Vinatieri loosened up on the Patriots' sideline. Fox flashed a graphic on the screen that his career-long was 55 yards in 1998.
Brady got him closer. With 7 seconds to go, the young Patriots QB spiked the ball to stop the clock. It was up to Vinatieri now, from 48 yards. His kick -- as time expired -- was perfect.
Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his game-winning field goal.
With a final score of 20-17, the Patriots were Super Bowl champs for the first time in franchise history. Seventeen of New England's points were from those St. Louis turnovers.
Brady was 16 of 27 for 145 yards and one touchdown. Then the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl (Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers since surpassed him when he was 23 at Super Bowl XL), Brady had no turnovers and was named Super Bowl MVP -- the first of four in his career. No other player has won that award that many times.
"I think this team came out and just proved to everybody what we were -- what we've been doing all year," Brady said to CNN after the win. "And you know, people love to see these teams that come out and win by 50 points, and we're the type of team that comes through when you -- when we need it. And the offense, defense, special teams, just -- it was a team game and we have the ultimate team in the Patriots this year."
Members of the New England Patriots celebrate Vinatieri's game-winning field goal.
Coming full circle?
There are no Patriots from that 2001 season roster in the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- yet. But the titles kept coming, in Super Bowls XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX and LI.
After the loss, the Rams fell out of the NFL's elite, mostly enduring losing seasons in their final years in St. Louis. But since returning to Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams have reached the playoffs twice and are now back in their first Super Bowl since that loss to the Patriots.
Super Bowl LIII is on a familiar date for both teams: February 3, just like in 2002. It's in Atlanta, the city where the Rams last won a championship. This time the Patriots will be favored, as Brady and Belichick aim for title No. 6 together. As for any symbolic significance in this rematch, Belichick -- as usual -- will not go there.
"Yeah, I'm not really worried about what happened five, 10, 20 years ago," Belichick recently said to reporters. "I'm trying to get ready for this team. There's not, I don't think, a lot of relevance in any of those games."
He has work to do. Instead of Martz and Warner, he'll be facing Sean McVay, seen as the newest NFL head coaching prodigy and the youngest head coach in Super Bowl history at age 33. They'll also be up against a 24-year-old quarterback. His name is Jared Goff.
In 2002, the Patriots were a Cinderella team. Then they won Super Bowl XXXVI, and a dynasty began
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after their win over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans on February 3, 2002.
(CNN)The Patriots weren't supposed to be in this Super Bowl -- much less win it.
No, in 2002, at Super Bowl XXXVI, it's probably safe to say no one expected a Patriots dynasty to begin. Not with 24-year-old Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick in 2000, starting the 2001 season as a backup quarterback, and Bill Belichick, who had a losing record in his first six seasons as an NFL head coach with the Cleveland Browns and New England.
In 2019, it's still perilous to count out the Patriots -- even with Brady now 41 years old and Belichick at 66. Super Bowl LIII will be the ninth -- ninth! -- Super Bowl appearance for the duo.
But 17 years ago, New England was not a team that NFL fans around the country envied -- or loved to hate.
At age 24, Brady won Super Bowl MVP -- the first of four in his illustrious career.
'The Greatest Show on Turf'
In those days, a team with dynasty potential was the St. Louis Rams. Known as "The Greatest Show on Turf," they had won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 against the Tennessee Titans -- a classic finish that came down to the final play in Atlanta. Mike Martz, who was the offensive coordinator for that title, was now head coach, having replaced Dick Vermeil.
St Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz.
Their offense was loaded with future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and offensive lineman Orlando Pace. Additionally, they had wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt. They also had a future hall-of-famer on defense in cornerback Aeneas Williams.
The Patriots, meanwhile, started their season with the established Drew Bledsoe at quarterback. But things turned quickly. In Week 2, New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis smashed into Bledsoe near the sideline. The Patriots QB had a concussion and internal bleeding from the hit, leaving the game in an ambulance.
Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, who won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 against the Titans, was back in his second championship game.
In came Brady to finish the game. No one knew it at the time, but the NFL landscape permanently was altered.
Even after Bledsoe healed, Brady kept the starting job. The Patriots went 11-5, winning the AFC East division and earning a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. Despite Brady suffering a sprained ankle in the AFC title game -- giving Bledsoe the chance to play the hero role -- New England still upset the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
NFL's Cinderella team was going to the Super Bowl. But how hobbled was Brady? Could the Patriots slow the Rams' offensive firepower? St. Louis was listed as a 14-point favorite for the February 3, 2002, matchup at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
"Bill Belichick faces a week with one endless echoing question: Who starts Sunday?" CNN's Tom Rinaldi said at the time.
"We'll take a look at Tom's situation and we'll make the evaluation there and we'll talk about that," Belichick said. "We'll make a decision later on in the week."
Said Brady: "I know I'll be prepared if they tell me to start."
'The Patriots are winning the battle'
After a week of treatment on the ankle, Brady was back behind center for Super Bowl Sunday. According to Fox sideline reporter Rob Pitts, Brady's prep ahead of the game included ice, a massage that lasted almost 45 minutes and that he planned to take a pain injection "just for a peace of mind."
On paper, the Rams appeared in control in this game. They had more first downs (26) than the Patriots (15). They had more total yards (427) than New England (267). They also won the time of possession (33:30 to 26:30).
What was missing, though, were points.
"The Rams have had the ball, they've gone up and down the field, they've had the time of possession, they have all those things, but they only have three points," Fox analyst John Madden, who won Super Bowl XI as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, said early in the second quarter. "They're winning the game, but I think the Patriots are winning the battle."
Patriots corner back Ty Law after intercepting Warner's pass during first-half action.
New England made it 7-3, as Ty Law streaked down the sideline for a 47-yard touchdown off a Warner interception with 8:49 left in the second quarter. Later in the half, Antwan Harris forced a fumble off Ricky Proehl. It was recovered by Terrell Buckley, scampering 15 yards into Rams territory setting up a two-minute drill for Brady. An 8-yard touchdown pass from Brady to David Patten made it 14-3 just before halftime.
"Bill Belichick told me the other night, 'We've just got to be physical,'" Madden said. "He said, 'The only way we can win this game is we have to be more physical on them, and we have to find other ways to score, other than our offense.'"
Fox play-by-play man Pat Summerall, a former NFL placekicker who won the NFL championship in 1952 with the Detroit Lions, then said something that may not have withstood the test of time -- at least with reporters: "Talk about a guy that's become easier to converse with and loosened up."
What Madden said after that, however, definitely holds up in present day.
"He's a great coach," he said.
Patriots defensive end Willie McGinest celebrates after sacking Warner during the second half.
'This is what Super Bowls are supposed to be'
A 37-yard field goal from a then-29-year-old Adam Vinatieri -- the byproduct of another Warner interception -- made it 17-3 in the third quarter. Early in the fourth, the Patriots almost put the game away for good.
On fourth down at the Patriots' 3-yard line, Warner was hit and fumbled the ball. Tebucky Jones recovered for New England and ran 97 yards to the end zone. But the play was called back for defensive holding on Willie McGinest.
The Rams capitalized on New England's mistake, and Warner's 2-yard run up the middle pulled St. Louis within seven. Later, a Warner 26-yard touchdown pass to Proehl tied it at 17.
One minute, 30 seconds remained in the game. Neither team had any timeouts.
"This is what Super Bowls are supposed to be, Pat," Madden said.
Warner runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
'I've been impressed watching Tom Brady'
After the kickoff, the Patriots had the ball on their own 17.
"I think that the Patriots, with this field position, you just have to just run the clock out," Madden said. "You have to play for overtime now."
There had never been an overtime game in a Super Bowl, and there wouldn't be OT that night. That eventually would happen for the first time in Super Bowl LI, when Brady, Belichick and the Patriots stunned the Atlanta Falcons to complete the biggest comeback in the title game's history.
Instead, Brady dazzled. He completed five passes on the drive, three of those to J.R. Redmond and another a 23-yarder to Troy Brown that brought the ball into St. Louis territory.
"I've been impressed watching Tom Brady. ... The way he's played in this game today, he has been very, very impressive with his calmness," Madden remarked.
Vinatieri loosened up on the Patriots' sideline. Fox flashed a graphic on the screen that his career-long was 55 yards in 1998.
Brady got him closer. With 7 seconds to go, the young Patriots QB spiked the ball to stop the clock. It was up to Vinatieri now, from 48 yards. His kick -- as time expired -- was perfect.
Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his game-winning field goal.
With a final score of 20-17, the Patriots were Super Bowl champs for the first time in franchise history. Seventeen of New England's points were from those St. Louis turnovers.
Brady was 16 of 27 for 145 yards and one touchdown. Then the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl (Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers since surpassed him when he was 23 at Super Bowl XL), Brady had no turnovers and was named Super Bowl MVP -- the first of four in his career. No other player has won that award that many times.
"I think this team came out and just proved to everybody what we were -- what we've been doing all year," Brady said to CNN after the win. "And you know, people love to see these teams that come out and win by 50 points, and we're the type of team that comes through when you -- when we need it. And the offense, defense, special teams, just -- it was a team game and we have the ultimate team in the Patriots this year."
Members of the New England Patriots celebrate Vinatieri's game-winning field goal.
Coming full circle?
There are no Patriots from that 2001 season roster in the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- yet. But the titles kept coming, in Super Bowls XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX and LI.
After the loss, the Rams fell out of the NFL's elite, mostly enduring losing seasons in their final years in St. Louis. But since returning to Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams have reached the playoffs twice and are now back in their first Super Bowl since that loss to the Patriots.
Super Bowl LIII is on a familiar date for both teams: February 3, just like in 2002. It's in Atlanta, the city where the Rams last won a championship. This time the Patriots will be favored, as Brady and Belichick aim for title No. 6 together. As for any symbolic significance in this rematch, Belichick -- as usual -- will not go there.
"Yeah, I'm not really worried about what happened five, 10, 20 years ago," Belichick recently said to reporters. "I'm trying to get ready for this team. There's not, I don't think, a lot of relevance in any of those games."
He has work to do. Instead of Martz and Warner, he'll be facing Sean McVay, seen as the newest NFL head coaching prodigy and the youngest head coach in Super Bowl history at age 33. They'll also be up against a 24-year-old quarterback. His name is Jared Goff.
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Go no where
fuck the damn politics we support the teams and our brothas playing...this isn't a political arena if your looking for that go some where else we come to watch FOOTBALL
Thank you Po3t.........This is what I say to all the dumbasses that come in with political bullshit in the sports threads.
Game is going to be over in the first quarter. New England is going to blow out the Rams. Patriots 63 Rams 13.
if Suh and Donald can bring pressure up the middle thats the biggest difference maker...when my Giants won twice (lol Beiii) we were able to bring pressure on Brady with 4 linemen no blitz and bring most pressure up the middle...pressuring outside don't do shit to Brady you have to move that pocket only way to least slow the GOAT down
You are right on all points...That is the only way to beat Brady......but the rams would need to only rush 4 and drop 7 into coverage.......the rams don't have the Giants 2007 or 2010 defense in 2019.
honesty they have a 4 similar if not better than the Giants....and they have better corners....only thing that scares me is they tend to disappear at times in the season you can't do that with the Pats
Pats are going to try to run the ball to see what happens if the Rams stuff that run early the Pats will then switch gameplans...the Rams have to make them one dimensional...KC could not do it.....if the Rams can turn them to a passing team.....them big boys up front will have more opportunities...you got a Brady in shotgun you just have to hunt...they have no legit deep threats they (RAMS) have to get physical early on the line and in the game to even have a chance...KC let them do want they wanted....
I really hope the Rams get a good push up front....because they are going to get james white'd and screened all game.
KC defense was weak all year(that is why the patriots beat them twice)...they relied on the offense to bail them out of games....that is why the game started out 14-0 and should have been 21-0 at half time.
LA is gonna get rolled on by the Boston Patriots.
I can't remember being less excited for a Super bowl in my life. I've been knee-deep into the game since I was 9 years old. From 1986 I've watched every Super bowl, now tomorrow is just another day to eat good food, drink a lot, and see family. It's not just because how they cheated the saints but that has a lot to do with it
My sister is bringing Reuben pizzas, my brother is bringing his hot wings and spinach crack AKA spinach dip, and I am making my fried chicken, and bacon wrapped shrimp. My girlfriend is making meatball sliders, turkey sliders, chicken alfredo dip, pizza rolls. (I'll post the spread tomorrow)
We are going to watch the game on my 75" television and pray for a Rams victory because the Patriots come from two parent homes (who was that that said black people are jealous of the Patriots because they come from two-parent homes?)
And we're taking shots of crown Apple for every Rams touchdown. We're going to find a goddamn way to enjoy this game
My sister is bringing Reuben pizzas, my brother is bringing his hot wings and spinach crack AKA spinach dip, and I am making my fried chicken, and bacon wrapped shrimp. My girlfriend is making meatball sliders, turkey sliders, chicken alfredo dip, pizza rolls. (I'll post the spread tomorrow)
We are going to watch the game on my 75" television and pray for a Rams victory because the Patriots come from two parent homes (who was that that said black people are jealous of the Patriots because they come from two-parent homes?)
And we're taking shots of crown Apple for every Rams touchdown. We're going to find a goddamn way to enjoy this game
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You must not have watched the Rams play this season. Their defense is quite average. Outside of Donald, the big names performed under expectations this year.
Patriots 24 Rams 17
Another Patriots Superbowl huh
Let's hope that at least some of the commercials are good
I will be playing Resident Evil 2. While the NFL hand the Patriots another Superbowl. The only thing I'm hoping for is HBO releasing a game of thrones season 8 trailer.
We ain’t seen you on the board since last years L to the eagles
Real talk..
Hoping wade philips comes up with a good gameplan...lots of pressure up the middle with suh and donald, maybe run some stunts with fowler flexing inside on occasion. Play matchups on the line once they figure out the blocking schemes NE running.
Im really interested to see the chess match between bellichek/mcdaniels and wade philips. And bellichek vs mcvay...the gameplans on both sides and the adjustments thats gonna be made
Bellichick:"........interesting.......I wonder how that could have happened....my condolences"
Another Patriots Superbowl huh
Let's hope that at least some of the commercials are good
Come on CurtDawg
All the superbowls have been good close games.......Keep your head up
been here all year
But your eagles have not.......how this season and them playoffs going
