ATLANTA -- Super Bowl XXXIV was the finest Super Bowl I have ever seen. No one thought the Tennessee Titans could come back by throwing the football, but they proved they could. Without their two starting safeties for most of the game, the Titans still managed to do a fantastic job overall in a losing effort.
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| Isaac Bruce's catch and run will go down as a Super Bowl classic. |
But the St. Louis Rams are the deserving world champions, making the big plays both offensively and defensively that determined the outcome of the game. They did exactly what they have done all year: They outscored people.
The close score was indicative of the nature of today's NFL. There will be no more dynasties. With free agency and the salary cap, this is the kind of Super Bowl we can expect to see from now on. I seriously doubt if a blowout will ever occur again.
One thing that was impressive about Super Bowl XXXIV is there were no turnovers -- no lost fumbles or interceptions. Very seldom have two teams played a football game with such intensity and not turned the ball over.
Turning point of the game
Blaine Bishop's injury. Losing their emotional defensive leader changed the way the Titans played. They played with a lot more intensity, more fire. When the score got to 16-0, the Titans had to open it up, and they proved they could.
Coaching move of the game
The Titans stayed with their game plan. Even when they were down 16-0, they still managed to do the things they wanted to do -- run Eddie George and throw short passes to the tight ends, who combined for 12 receptions.
Stat of the game
Kurt Warner's passing yards. That statistic alone -- a Super Bowl-record 414 yards -- tells you the story of the Rams' season as well as this game.
Unsung player
Give it to Rams receiver Isaac Bruce. Torry Holt could have qualified in this category, but Bruce made the game-winning offensive play for the Rams. Linebacker Mike Jones made the spectacular defensive play, the greatest Super Bowl tackle since the 49ers' Dan Bunz in Super Bowl XVI.
X-factor
The Rams offensive line. As a unit, they were the ones who were the most challenged in this game -- and they held up well, allowing time for Warner to throw for a record number of yards. Warner was only sacked once.
What's next for the Titans
The Titans just need to find an outside passing game to complement what they do. Tennessee has laid the foundation of what I think will be a good football team in the future. They showed a lot of toughness. Both of these teams have the ability to be back next year in Super Bowl XXXV.
What's next for the Rams
A lot of celebrating. They just will try to come back here again. Based on the experience I have had, one Super Bowl can just make you hungrier. As the world champions, they need to stay focused and not allow complacency to deter them from another Super Bowl run.
