On This Day in Sports: February 3, 2002
On February 3, 2002, the New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams 20–17 in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome. The Rams arrived with the league’s top-ranked offense and were heavily favored, but New England built a game plan around disrupting timing, forcing turnovers and avoiding the shootout St. Louis preferred. The Patriots entered together as a team rather than through individual introductions, a gesture that matched the collective approach they needed to challenge the “Greatest Show on Turf.”
St. Louis scored first, but Ty Law intercepted Kurt Warner and returned the ball 47 yards for a touchdown. Another Rams turnover set up Tom Brady’s touchdown pass to David Patten, and New England carried a 14–3 lead into halftime. The Patriots’ physical coverage and disciplined pass rush made every St. Louis possession difficult. New England forced three turnovers in all, and those takeaways produced 17 points—nearly the entire margin needed to spring the upset.
The Rams eventually recovered their rhythm. Warner scored on a quarterback sneak, then led a late drive that ended with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl. The score was tied at 17 with 1:30 remaining, and New England had no timeouts. Brady completed short passes to J.R. Redmond and Troy Brown, then hit Jermaine Wiggins to move the ball into range. Adam Vinatieri’s 48-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired.
Brady threw for only 145 yards, yet his calm final drive earned him the game’s MVP award. The championship was the first in Patriots history and the first Super Bowl title for coach Bill Belichick. What looked like a single upset soon became the opening chapter of a dynasty built on preparation, situational football and trust in uncelebrated contributors. The final sequence also changed expectations for late-game strategy: rather than accept overtime, New England let its young quarterback attack. One controlled drive and Vinatieri’s kick reshaped the league for the next two decades.
The Rams entered with the NFL’s highest-scoring offense and were favored by two touchdowns.
New England’s defense forced three turnovers and converted them into 17 points.
St. Louis tied the game with 1:30 remaining, leaving the Patriots without a timeout.
Brady completed five passes on the final possession to reach field-goal range.
Vinatieri’s 48-yard kick as time expired delivered the franchise’s first championship.
The upset launched the Belichick-Brady era and one of pro football’s longest dynasties.
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