Ranking the Super Bowls, #6: Super Bowl XXXVI

(photo credit: boston.cbslocal.com)

Before the New England Patriots became a dynasty, and Tom Brady was a household name there was Super Bowl XXXVI.  On Feb. 3, 2002 the Patriots were huge underdogs to the St. Louis Rams.  The Patriots had a tall task in front of them to get a win on that February night as the Rams came in with "The Greatest Show on Turf" offense lead by Kurt Warner.  The Rams even gained more total yards than the Patriots but the Pats came out victoriously.

By huge underdogs it should be noted that the Rams were favored over the Patriots by 14 points.  The Rams had 427 total yards to the Patriots 267.  Kurt Warner had 365 yards passing but only threw one touchdown to his two interceptions.  Tom Brady, on the other hand, only threw for 145 yards but also one touchdown as well.  A little bit of a surprising stat line for a Super Bowl MVP but Brady was awarded the MVP trophy after the game was over.

The game appeared to be headed to overtime after Warner threw a 26 yard touchdown pass to tie the game with only 1:30 left in the fourth quarter.  Nobody thought that a no name quarterback at the time, Brady, would be able to drive his team done the field with no timeouts to win the game.  Brady drove down the field and set Adam Vinatieri up for a 48 yard field goal to win the game as time expired.