| Patriots Fool the Experts; Head to Super Bowl XXXVI | |
Dateline: January 27, 2001
The New England Patriots entered the 2001 NFL season amid speculation that the team would be very fortunate to finish the season anywhere near the .500 mark. And when the team lost its first two games of the season, along with starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe, it appeared the Patriots season would proceed as prognosticated.
But the Patriots didn't listen to the NFL analysts who had given them about as much of a chance to make the playoffs as Ray Lewis has making a special appearance in the next Disney movie. Instead, a cast of unlikely characters stepped forward to lead the Pats to 11 victories in their last 14 games.
The success of inexperienced quarterback Tom Brady, who took over for the injured Bledsoe in week two, was a very pleasant surprise for head coach Bill Belichick. Brady quickly showed he had a a good grasp on the offense and could keep his composure under pressure. He also showed remarkable leadership ability for a quarterback with very little experience.
Free agent acquisition Antowain Smith, who came over from the Buffalo Bills, was another nice addition to the roster. He carried a huge load in the backfield for the Pats all season, rushing for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns. He made the transition to starter a whole lot easier for Brady by relieving him of some of the pressure that comes with replacing a Pro-Bowl quality quarterback.
Despite their growing success throughout the season, New England was given little respect and almost no chance of advancing to the Super Bowl when the playoffs began. But that is exactly what they accomplished last Sunday afternoon when they defeated the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-17.
As has been the case all season, the Patriots won with a true team effort. When Brady went down in the second quarter with an ankle injury, Bledsoe came on to complete the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to David Patten. The Patriots' offense could manage just a field goal the rest of the way out, but they got all the scoring help they needed from their special teams.
Wide receiver Troy Brown opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 55-yard punt return, the first of two touchdowns scored by their special teams. Pittsburghs' Kris Brown put the Steelers on the board early in the second quarter with a 30-yard field goal, but the Patriots were able to close out the half with Bledsoe's touchdown pass.
Midway through the third quarter, a Kris Brown field goal attempt was blocked and scooped up by Troy Brown. As Brown was being tackled, he lateraled the ball to Antwan Harris who took it the remaining 49 yards for a touchdown, giving the Pats a 21-3 lead.
The Steelers mounted a serious comeback, scoring two touchdowns before the end of the third quarter. The lead was cut to just four points, but it was the New England defense's turn to shine as they came up big in the fourth quarter after an Adam Vinatieri field goal stretched the lead to a touchdown.
Kordell Stewart and the Steelers' offense had three possessions in the fourth quarter. The first drive stalled at midfield, resulting in a Josh Miller punt. The final two possessions ended quickly with interceptions by Tebucky Jones with 4:21 remaining and Lawyer Milloy with just 2:15 on the clock.
Two rushes by Smith resulted in a Patriot first down, allowing New England to seal the AFC Championship with Bledsoe taking three consecutive knees.
The Patriots will advance to the Super Bowl for the third time in team history. Ironically, all of their appearances have been in New Orleans. They will face the St. Louis Rams who defeated the Philadelphia Eagle in the NFC Championship game.
...more on the Rams tomorrow!
