NFL 2001-2002 POSTSEASON DIARY
Latest Update: 2/3/02
By: Rice & Gerry

    Two words: Super Bowl. 'Nuff said.

vs.

New England @ St. Louis

Gerry says:

They might as well engrave the Lombardi trophy right now. You can't stop the Rams. We here at Rice World are writing this merely as a formality, as closure to our low-rated NFL Playoffs diary. The Rams winning Super Bowl XXXVI is a foregone conclusion.

You don't beat the Rams on turf. They have too many weapons, and they're not afraid to use them. Their defense is even better than the 2000 Super Bowl team's. Marshall Faulk is playing in his hometown. The Rams are favored by two TDs. All the signs point to St. Louis winning their 2nd title in 3 years.

The Pats won't buckle though. The 14 point spread is ludicrous. If I was a betting man (I used to be a gamble-holic) I'd bet the farm on New England. The Patriots might lose, but they'll lose the way the Titans lost back in Super Bowl XXXIV: just short.

What the Pats have going for them is Bill Belichick's genius mind for devising defensive schemes and implementing them in a short period of time. These two teams met in the regular season, and the Rams squeaked it out 24-17.

I think New England will have a lot of LBs dropping into coverage, as well as packages w/ a lot of DBs playing zone. The Rams aren't invincible. They do cough up the ball. Turnovers might swing this game.

But then again, the Rams will probably realize this is Super Bowl XXXVI and hang on to the football. After all, the regular season was just their preseason.

Winner: St. Louis, 30-20

Rice says:

My blood boils everytime I lay eyes on those happy New England Patriots, all celebrating joking and laughing during press conferences. They don't deserve to be there!! They cheated their way to a victory.

I don't think I was even this distraught when the Titans robbed the Bills a couple years ago, because even though the pass was clearly forward in that game, I can at least see the controversy in it. This time, there is no controversy, PERIOD. Brady fumbled. The refs and the NFL rule book goofed.

Uarrgh... must... concentrate. Okay. All the experts are predicting a St. Louis romp, and usually I like to go against the experts, cuz I have nothing to lose. However, this time I have to agree with them. I mean, this is truly David vs. Goliath, and David ain't got no bloody sling this time. The Rams will decimate the Patriots because:

1.) Super Bowl XXXVI is on turf, and the Rams never lose a big game on turf. Ever. Ever ever.
2.) New England's defense will see a true powerhouse offense for the first time all season. Their initial meeting against St. Louis early in the season doesn't count because they didn't play on turf.
3.) A QB controversy is a'brewin' in the Patriots locker room. Tom Brady will feel pressure to perform well for the first time this season, because Drew Bledsoe will be itching like a man trapped in an anthill to get in the game. Pressure will lead to turnovers, especially against a formidable Rams defense.
4.) Upsets don't occur in the Super Bowl. Can you remember a time when the favorites didn't win?
5.) Marshall Faulk. Playing in his home town. On turf. In the Super Bowl. Do I really have to go on?

Winner: St. Louis, 41-17