Ranking the Super Bowls, #14: Super Bowl XXXIV

(photo credit: playbuzz.com)

The St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans battled for NFL glory, when they faced off in Super Bowl XXXIV on Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Falcons. The Rams compiled an NFC-best 13-3 record during the regular season, which propelled them into their second Super Bowl in franchise history. Tennessee posted a 13-3 record during the regular season, which was good for second in the AFC Central behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tennessee advanced to their first Super Bowl in franchise history, and they made it to the Big Game as a wild-card team. Super Bowl XXXIV is regarded as the “Dot-com Super Bowl,” due to a large amount of Dot-com companies purchasing commercials for the game. 

The Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 49-37, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-6, en route to the Super Bowl. The Titans downed the Buffalo Bills 22-16, in a game that’s known for the “Music City Miracle.” In the AFC Championship Game, the Titans upended the Jaguars, 34-14, to advance to their first ever Super Bowl. The Rams entered the game as seven point favorites, largely due to the play of quarterback Kurt Warner. The game was broadcasted on ABC, and Al Michaels and Boomer Esiason were on the call for Super Bowl XXXIV. The first half was a defensive battle, as the Rams led 9-0 thanks to three field goals from Jeff Wilkins. The Rams outgained the Titans in total offensive yards 224-89, but they only led by three field goals at halftime. 

The Rams scored their first touchdown of the game in the third quarter, when Warner found Torry Holt in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown. St. Louis had the 16-0 lead, but the Titans came roaring back. Two rushing touchdowns from Eddie George, and a field goal from Al Del Greco, tied the game at 16 apiece, as the 16-point deficit was the largest deficit erased in Super Bowl history.

The Rams took the decisive lead with just under two minutes left, when Warner connected with Isaac Bruce on a 73-yard touchdown, giving the Rams a 23-16 lead. The final play of the game will go down as one of the most historic plays in NFL history. Tennessee had driven all the way to the 10-yard line, and they had one play left with six seconds on the clock. 

Rams linebacker Mike Jones tackled Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson one yard short of the end-zone, which ended the game, and won the Rams Super Bowl XXXIV. St. Louis took home their first ever Super Bowl victory. That play has been called “One Yard Short,” “The Longest Yard,” and “The Tackle.” Warner completed 24 of his 45 pass attempts, for 414 yards and two touchdowns, which earned him Super Bowl MVP honors. Warner joined Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Emmitt Smith, and Steve Young as the only players to win NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP during the same season. 

His 414 passing yards and 45 pass attempts without an interception were both Super Bowl records. Future Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk had 10 carries for 17 yards, and five catches for 90 yards. Torry Holt hauled in seven catches for 109 yards and one touchdown. Isaac Bruce caught six passes for 162 yards and one touchdown. Steve McNair completed 22 of his 36 pass attempts for 214 yards. Eddie George had 28 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns.