Jeff Wilkins kicked field goals of 27, 29 and 28 yards to give the Rams a 9-0 lead at the intermission. Kurt Warner, who completed 24-of-45 passes without an interception, fired a dart to rookie Torry Holt for a 9-yard score with 7:20 left in the third. Tennessee, down 16-0 late in the third, had tied the score at 16 with little more than two minutes left, setting up one of the best finishes in Super Bowl history. The Titans had come back with a pair of short Eddie George touchdown runs, and a 43-yard Al Del Greco field goal to tie the game. NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner took control of the Rams offense at the St. Louis 27 with 2:12 left, the game tied and all the momentum resting with the Titans. Isaac Bruce caught the 73-yard bomb that would eventually stand as the game-winner over a Titans team that barely ran out of time. |
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St. Louis won the coin toss and elected to receive.
| First Quarter | ||
| St. Louis (15:00) C.Hentrich kicks to SL 6, T.Horne 25 return (G.Favors). | ||
| SL 31 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to F.Miller to SL30 for -1 yard (J.Kearse). Ball Tipped At Line By J.Kearse. |
| SL 30 | 2-11 | M.Faulk left end to SL34 for 4 yards (S.Jackson, A.Dorsett). |
| SL 34 | 3-7 | K.Warner pass to I.Bruce to TT49 for 17 yards (S.Rolle). |
| TT 49 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete. QB Pressure by Josh Evans. |
| TT 49 | 2-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete to A.Hakim. |
| TT 49 | 3-10 | K.Warner (shotgun) pass to R.Proehl to TT38 for 11 yards (E.Robinson). |
| TT 38 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to R.Williams to TT29 for 9 yards (E.Robinson). Official measurement. |
| TT 29 | 2-1 | R.Holcombe left guard to TT18 for 11 yards (J.Bowden, E.Robinson). |
| TT 18 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete to M.Faulk. |
| TT 18 | 2-10 | M.Faulk left guard to TT17 for 1 yard (J.Evans). |
| TT 17 | 3-9 | K.Warner pass incomplete to T.Holt. in end zone. QB Pressure by B.Bishop. |
| TT 17 | 4-9 | M.Horan (field goal formation) (ABORTED) NG (D.Mitchell). M.Horan FUMBLES, and recovers at TT29. Mishandled Snap |
| Tennessee Titans at 9:40 | ||
| TT 29 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass to J.Harris to TT33 for 4 yards (L.Fletcher, T.Collins). QB Pressured By Carter. |
| TT 23 | 2-6 | E.George left guard to TT37 for 4 yards (D.Farr). |
| TT 37 | 3-2 | S.McNair pass to K.Dyson to TT40 for 3 yards (T.Lyght). St.L-K.Carter PENALIZED 5 yards for Neutral Zone Infraction. No Play |
| TT 42 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass incomplete to K.Dyson. QB Pressure by Carter. |
| TT 42 | 2-10 | S.McNair pass to E.George to SL26 for 32 yards (M.Jones). Screen pass. |
| SL 26 | 1-10 | S.McNair PENALIZED 5 yards for Delay of Game. No Play |
| SL 21 | 1-15 | E.George (shotgun) left guard to SL29 for 2 yards (J.Zgonina). |
| SL 29 | 2-13 | S.McNair pass incomplete to I.Byrd. |
| SL 29 | 3-13 | S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to D.Mason. QB Pressure by Clemons. |
| SL 29 | 4-13 | A.Del Greco 47 yard field goal is No good, wide left. Center-B.Matthews. Holder-C.Hentrich. |
| St. Louis Rams at 5:48 | ||
| SL 37 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to T.Holt to TT31 for 32 yards (B.Bishop). Ball caught at TT42. |
| TT 31 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to M.Faulk to TT14 for 17 yards (E.Robinson). |
| TT 14 | 1-10 | M.Faulk right end, pushed out of bounds at TT11 for 3 yards (B.Bishop). |
| TT 11 | 2-7 | M.Faulk left tackle to TT9 for 2 yards (J.Fisk). |
| TT 9 | 3-5 | K.Warner pass incomplete to A.Hakim (D.Walker). Pressured By D.Walker. |
| TT 9 | 4-5 | J.Wilkins 27 yard field goal is GOOD. Center-J.Robinson. Holder-M.Horan. |
| St. Louis scoring drive: 54 yards, 6 plays, 2:48. St. Louis 3, Tennessee 0 | ||
| Tennessee Titans at 3:00 J.Wilkins kicks 72 yards from SL30 to TT-2, D.Mason ret. to TT16 for 18 yards (L.Little). | ||
| TT 16 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass to J.Harris to TT28 for 12 yards (B.Jenkins). |
| TT 28 | 1-10 | E.George left tackle to TT31 for 3 yards (M.Jones). |
| TT 31 | 2-7 | E.George up middle to TT30 for -1 yard (L.Fletcher). |
| TT 30 | 3-8 | S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to F.Wycheck. QB Pressure by B.Jenkins. |
| TT 30 | 4-8 | C.Hentrich punts 49 yards to SL21, Center-K.Long. A.Hakim ret. to SL31 for 10 yards (T.Killens). |
| TT 31 | 2-7 | E.George up middle to TT30 for -1 yard (L.Fletcher). |
| St. Louis Rams at 0:39 | ||
| SL 31 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete to I.Bruce (S.Rolle). |
| SL 31 | 2-10 | K.Warner pass to M.Faulk, pushed out of bounds at TT17 for 52 yards (D.Walker). Ball caught on SL 39. |
| TT 17 | 1-10 | K.Warner to TT16 for 1 yard (J.Evans). K.Warner FUMBLES, and recovers at TT16. |
| END OF FIRST QUARTER: St. Louis 3, Tennessee 0 | ||
| Second Quarter | ||
| TT 16 | 2-9 | K.Warner pass incomplete to A.Hakim. Shovel pass. |
| TT 16 | 3-9 | K.Warner pass incomplete to R.Proehl (J.Kearse). |
| TT 16 | 4-9 | J.Wilkins 34 yard field goal is No good, wide right. Center-J.Robinson. Holder-M.Horan. |
| Tennessee Titans at 14:48 | ||
| TT 24 | 1-10 | E.George left guard to TT33 for 9 yards (L.Fletcher). |
| TT 33 | 2-1 | E.George up middle to TT35 for 2 yards (D.Farr). |
| TT 35 | 1-10 | S.McNair right end to TT48 for 13 yards (K.Carter, T.Collins). |
| TT 48 | 1-10 | S.McNair sacked at TT42 for -6 (K.Carter). |
| TT 42 | 2-16 | S.McNair pass to J.Harris to SL50 for 8 yards (B.Jenkins). |
| SL 50 | 3-8 | S.McNair pass to D.Mason to SL41 for 9 yards (T.Lyght). |
| SL 41 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass incomplete to C.Sanders. |
| SL 41 | 2-10 | E.George right guard to SL42 for -1 yard (J.Zgonina, J.Williams). |
| SL 42 | 3-11 | TT-B.Matthews PENALIZED 5 yards for False Start. No Play. |
| SL 47 | 3-16 | S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to K.Dyson. |
| SL 47 | 4-16 | C.Hentrich punts 31 yards to SL16, Center-K.Long. Downed by P.Phenix. Punt Tipped By Billy Jenkins. |
| St. Louis Rams at 9:29 | ||
| SL 16 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to I.Bruce to SL27 for 11 yards (B.Bishop). |
| SL 27 | 1-10 | K Warner pass to M.Faulk to SL33 for 6 yards (B.Bishop, A.Dorsett). |
| SL 33 | 2-4 | TT-K.Holmes PENALIZED 5 yards for Neutral Zone Infraction. No Play |
| SL 38 | 1-10 | M.Faulk left tackle to SL40 for 2 yards (B.Wortham). |
| SL 40 | 2-8 | K.Warner pass to I.Bruce to TT45 for 15 yards (D.Walker). |
| TT 45 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to T.Holt, ran out of bounds at TT32 for 13 yards. |
| TT 32 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to R.Holcombe to TT31 for 1 yard (B.Wortham, J.Bowden). |
| TT 31 | 2-9 | K.Warner pass to T.Holt to TT16 for 15 yards (D.Sidney). |
| TT 16 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete to T.Holt in end zone. |
| TT 32 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to R.Holcombe to TT31 for 1 yard (B.Wortham, J.Bowden). TT-D.Walker PENALIZED 5 yards for Illegal Contact. No Play |
| TT 11 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete to R.Williams. |
| TT 11 | 2-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete to T.Holt (B.Bishop). |
| TT 11 | 3-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete to I.Bruce. |
| TT 11 | 4-10 | J.Wilkins 29 yard field goal is GOOD. Center-J.Robinson. Holder-M.Horan. |
| St. Louis scoring drive: 73 yards, 11 plays, 5:13. St. Louis 6, Tennessee 0 | ||
| Tennessee Titans at 4:16. Wilkins kicks 63 yards from SL30 to TT7, D.Mason ret. to TT26 for 19 yards (C.Clemons). | ||
| TT 26 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass incomplete to J.Harris (T.Collins). |
| TT 26 | 2-10 | S.McNair pass incomplete to K.Dyson (T.Lyght). |
| TT 26 | 3-10 | S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to D.Mason. QB pressured by K.Carter & L.Fletcher. |
| TT 26 | 4-10 | C.Hentrich punts 49 yards to SL25, Center-K.Long. A.Hakim ret. to SL23 for -2 yards (D.Sidney). |
| St. Louis Rams at 3:38 | ||
| SL 23 | 1-10 | M.Faulk up middle to SL28 for 5 yards (B.Bishop; S.Rolle). |
| SL 23 | 1-10 | SL-R.Williams PENALIZED 10 yards for Offensive Holding. No Play |
| SL 13 | 1-20 | K.Warner pass to M.Faulk, pushed out of bounds at SL20 for 7 yards (J.Bowden). |
| SL 20 | 2-13 | K.Warner pass incomplete to I.Bruce (S.Jackson). |
| SL 36 | 1-10 | K.Warner (shotgun) sacked at SL29 for -7 (J.Fisk). Official time out at 2:00. Two-Minute Warning. |
| SL 29 | 2-17 | (2:00) K.Warner pass to T.Holt to SL47 for 18 yards (A.Dorsett). St. Louis Rams time out at 1:43. First time out. |
| SL 47 | 1-10 | (1:43) K.Warner pass incomplete to R.Proehl (D.Mitchell). |
| SL 47 | 2-10 | (1:39) K.Warner pass to I.Bruce to TT38 for 15 yards (D.Sidney). |
| TT 38 | 1-10 | (1:17) K.Warner (shotgun) pass to A.Hakim, ran out of bounds at TT21 for 17 yards. |
| TT 21 | 1-10 | (1:11) K.Warner sacked at TT23 for -2 (K.Holmes). TT-D.Mitchell PENALIZED 5 yards for Defensive Holding. No Play. |
| TT 16 | 1-10 | (1:06) K.Warner pass incomplete to R.Proehl. in end zone. SL-T.Nutten PENALIZED 10 yards for Offensive Holding. No Play |
| TT 26 | 1-20 | (1:01) K.Warner pass to T.Holt to TT20 for 6 yards (D.Sidney). |
| TT 20 | 2-14 | (:39) K.Warner sacked at TT20 for 0 (J.Kearse) TT-J.Kearse PENALIZED 10 yards for Face Mask (PerFoul-15 yrds). No Play. |
| TT 10 | 1-10 | (:32) K.Warner pass incomplete to A.Hakim. QB Pressure by A.Dorsett. |
| TT 10 | 2-10 | (:28) K.Warner pass incomplete to I.Bruce. QB Pressure by K.Holmes. St. Louis Rams time out at 0:24. Second time out. |
| TT 10 | 3-10 | (:24) K.Warner pass incomplete to R.Proehl. |
| TT 10 | 4-10 | (:19) J.Wilkins 28 yard field goal is GOOD. Center-J.Robinson. Holder-M.Horan. |
| St. Louis scoring drive: 67 yards, 13 plays, 3:23. St. Louis 9, Tennessee 0 J.Wilkins kicks 74 yards from SL30 to TT-4, D.Mason Touchback. | ||
| Tennessee Titans at 0:15. | ||
| TT 20 | 1-10 | (:15) S.McNair to TT19 for -1 yard. |
| END OF SECOND QUARTER: St. Louis 9, Tennessee 0 | ||
| Third Quarter | ||
| Tennessee (15:00) J.Wilkins kicks 71 yards from SL30 to TT-1, D.Mason ret. to TT28 for 29 yards (L.Little). | ||
| TT 28 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass to F.Wycheck to TT41 for 13 yards (B.Jenkins, M.Jones). |
| TT 41 | 1-10 | George up middle to TT45 for 4 yards (D.Farr, B.Jenkins). |
| TT 45 | 2-6 | S.McNair pass to J.Harris, pushed out of bounds at SL47 for 8 yards (M.Jones; T.Lyght). |
| SL 47 | 1-10 | E.George left end, pushed out of bounds at SL34 for 13 yards (D.McCleon). |
| SL 32 | 2-8 | S.McNair pass to E.George to SL29 for 3 yards (L.Fletcher; T.Collins). |
| SL 29 | 3-5 | S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to E.George. |
| SL 29 | 4-5 | A.Del Greco 47 field goal is Blocked (T.Lyght). Center-B.Matthews. Holder-C.Hentrich, recovered by SL-D.Farr at SL32. |
| St. Louis Rams at 11:19 | ||
| SL 32 | 1-10 | M.Faulk up middle to SL36 for 4 yards (J.Kearse). |
| SL 36 | 2-6 | M.Faulk right tackle to SL35 for -1 yard (J.Kearse). |
| SL 35 | 3-7 | K.Warner pass to M.Faulk to SL43 for 8 yards (D.Mitchell; A.Dorsett). |
| SL 43 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to I.Bruce to TT26 for 31 yards (D.Walker). |
| TT 26 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to E.Conwell to TT10 for 16 (B.Bishop; A.Dorsett). Blaine Bishop injured on play removed from field on cart. Offsetting Penalty on TT-B.Wortham, Unnecessary Roughness. Offsetting Penalty on SL-M.Gruttadauria, Unnecessary Roughness. |
| TT 10 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass incomplete (J.Kearse). Kearse batted ball at LOS. |
| TT 10 | 2-10 | M.Faulk left end to TT9 for 1 yard (J.Evans). |
| TT 9 | 3-9 | K.Warner pass to T.Holt for 9 and TOUCHDOWN. |
| St. Louis scoring drive: 68 yards, 8 plays, 3:59. St. Louis 16, Tennessee 0 J.Wilkins kicks 71 yards from SL30 to TT-1, D.Mason ret. to TT34 for 35 yards (L.Little). | ||
| Tennessee Titans at 7:20 | ||
| TT 34 | 1-10 | E.George up middle to TT39 for 5 yards (J.Zgonina). |
| TT 39 | 2-5 | E.George left tackle to TT48 for 9 yards (D.McCleon, L.Fletcher). |
| TT 48 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass to F.Wycheck to SL49 for 3 yards (B.Jenkins). |
| TT 49 | 2-7 | E.George left guard to SL45 for 4 yards (J.Williams). |
| SL 45 | 3-3 | S.McNair pass to F.Wycheck to SL40 for 5 yards (T.Lyght). |
| SL 40 | 1-10 | E.George right guard to SL38 for 2 yards (L.Fletcher). |
| SL 38 | 2-8 | S.McNair pass to F.Wycheck to SL31 for 7 yards (L.Fletcher). |
| SL 31 | 3-1 | S.McNair right guard to SL29 for 2 yards (K.Carter). |
| SL 29 | 1-10 | E.George left guard to SL25 for 4 yards (G.Wistrom). |
| SL 25 | 2-6 | S.McNair up middle to SL2 for 23 yards (D.Bush, D.McCleon). |
| SL 2 | 1-2 | E.George up middle to SL1 for 1 yard (L.Fletcher, B.Jenkins). Tennessee Titans time out at 0:17. First time out. |
| SL 1 | 2-1 | E.George left guard for 1 and TOUCHDOWN Penalty declined on SL-K.Carter, Neutral Zone Infraction. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. S.McNair pass incomplete to F.Wycheck. ATTEMPT FAILS |
| Tennessee scoring drive: 66 yards, 12 plays, 7:06. St. Louis 16, Tennessee 6 C.Hentrich kicks 46 yards from TT30 to SL24, T.Horne ret. to SL37 for 13 yards (S.Jackson). | ||
| St. Louis Rams at 0:14 | ||
| SL 37 | 1-10 | M.Faulk left tackle to SL36 for -1 yard (P.Phenix). |
| END OF THIRD QUARTER: St. Louis 16, Tennessee 6 | ||
| Fourth Quarter | ||
| SL 36 | 2-11 | K.Warner pass incomplete to I.Bruce. QB Pressure by E.Robinson. |
| SL 36 | 3-11 | SL-O.Pace PENALIZED 5 yards for False Start. No Play. |
| SL 31 | 3-16 | K.Warner pass incomplete to T.Holt. deep down left sideline. |
| SL 31 | 4-16 | M.Horan punts 47 yards to TT22, Center-J.Robinson. D.Mason ret. to TT21 for -1 yard (T.Horne, R.Holcombe). |
| Tennessee Titans at 14:36 | ||
| TT 21 | 1-10 | E.George left tackle to TT27 for 6 yards (D.Bush). |
| TT 27 | 2-4 | E.George up middle to TT25 for -2 yards (G.Wistrom). |
| TT 25 | 3-6 | S.McNair (shotgun) pass to K.Dyson to TT34 for 9 yards (T.Lyght). Penalty declined on SL-T.Lyght, Defensive Offside. |
| TT 34 | 1-10 | E.George left tackle to TT40 for 6 yards (M.Jones). |
| TT 40 | 2-4 | E.George up middle to TT43 for 3 yards (B.Jenkins). |
| TT 43 | 3-1 | E.George left guard to TT43 for no gain (B.Jenkins). Official measurement. |
| TT 43 | 4-1 | S.McNair right guard to TT45 for 2 yards (TEAM). Official measurement. |
| TT 45 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass to J.Harris to SL50 for 5 yards (M.Jones, B.Jenkins). |
| SL 50 | 2-5 | E.George right guard to SL45 for 5 yards (B.Jenkins). |
| SL 45 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass to I.Byrd to SL24 for 21 yards (B.Jenkins). Tennessee Titans time out at 8:33. Second time out. |
| SL 24 | 1-10 | S.McNair pass to J.Harris, pushed out of bounds at SL3 for 21 yards (T.Collins). |
| SL 3 | 1-3 | E.George up middle to SL2 for 1 yard (L.Fletcher). |
| SL 2 | 2-2 | E.George right end for 2 and TOUCHDOWN. A.Del Greco extra point is GOOD. Center-B.Matthews. Holder-C.Hentrich SL-D.Bly PENALIZED 5 yards for Defensive Offside. |
| Tennessee scoring drive: 79 yards, 13 plays, 7:39. St. Louis 16, Tennessee 13 C.Hentrich kicks 42 yards from TT35 to SL23, M.Morton ret. to SL23 for no gain. Lateral to T.Horne to SL21 for no return (D.Mitchell). | ||
| St. Louis Rams at 7:21 | ||
| SL 21 | 1-10 | M.Faulk left tackle to SL23 for 2 yards (J.Kearse). |
| SL 23 | 2-8 | K.Warner pass incomplete to T.Holt (J.Fisk). Jason Fisk batted ball at LOS. |
| SL 23 | 3-8 | K.Warner pass incomplete to I.Bruce. QB Pressure by Josh Evans. |
| SL 23 | 4-8 | M.Horan punts 30 yards to TT47, Center-J.Robinson. Downed by M.Jones. |
| SL 21 | 1-10 | M.Faulk left tackle to SL23 for 2 yards (J.Kearse). |
| Tennessee Titans at 6:17 | ||
| TT 47 | 1-10 | S.McNair right end to SL42 for 11 yards (G.Wistrom). |
| SL 42 | 1-10 | E.George up middle to SL35 for 7 yards (T.Collins). |
| SL 35 | 2-3 | E.George up middle to SL34 for 1 yard (L.Fletcher). |
| SL 34 | 3-2 | S.McNair pass to J.Harris to SL28 for 6 yards (B.Jenkins). J.Harris FUMBLES, forced by B.Jenkins, recovered by TT-I.Byrd at SL28. |
| SL 28 | 1-10 | E.George right tackle to SL25 for 3 yards (M.Jones). |
| SL 25 | 2-7 | S.McNair pass to I.Byrd to SL25 for no gain (D.McCleon). |
| SL 25 | 3-7 | S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to F.Wycheck. |
| SL 25 | 4-7 | A.Del Greco 43 yard field goal is GOOD. Center-B.Matthews. Holder-C.Hentrich. |
| Tennessee scoring drive: 79 yards, 13 plays, 7:39. St. Louis 16, Tennessee 16 C.Hentrich kicks 60 yards from TT30 to SL10, T.Horne ret. to SL27 for 17 yards (G.McCullough). | ||
| St. Louis Rams at 2:12 | ||
| SL 27 | 1-10 | K.Warner pass to I.Bruce for 73 and TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on TT38. J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD. Center-J.Robinson. Holder-M.Horan. |
| St. Louis scoring drive: 73 yards, 1 play, 0:18. St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16 Official time out at 1:54. Two Minute Warning J.Wilkins kicks 69 yards from SL30 to TT1, D.Mason ret. to TT22 for 21 yards (L.Little). TT-J.Bowden PENALIZED 10 yards for Offensive Holding | ||
| Tennessee Titans at 1:54 (1st play from scrimmage 1:48) | ||
| TT 12 | 1-10 | (1:48) S.McNair (shotgun) pass to D.Mason to TT21 for 9 yards (D.McCleon, T.Lyght). |
| TT 21 | 2-1 | (1:25) S.McNair (shotgun) pass to F.Wycheck, pushed out of bounds at TT28 for 7 yards (M.Jones) |
| TT 28 | 1-10 | 1:20) S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to K.Dyson. |
| TT 28 | 2-10 | (1:16) S.McNair (shotgun) left end to TT40 for 12 yards (D.Bly). SL-D.Bly PENALIZED 15 yards for Face Mask (PerFoul-15 yrds). |
| SL 45 | 1-10 | (1:05) S.McNair pass to F.Wycheck to SL45 for no gain (M.Jones SL-C.Clemons PENALIZED 5 yards for Defensive Offside. No Play. |
| SL 40 | 1-5 | (:59) S.McNair (shotgun) right end to SL38 for 2 yards (T.Lyght). |
| SL 38 | 2-3 | (:49) S.McNair (shotgun) pass to K.Dyson to SL31 for 7 yards (L.Fletcher). |
| SL 31 | 1-10 | ((:33) S.McNair pass incomplete. McNair spikes ball to stop clock. |
| SL 31 | 2-10 | (:31) S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to D.Mason (D.Bly). SL-K.Carter PENALIZED 5 yards for Neutral Zone Infraction. No Play. |
| SL 26 | 2-5 | (:28) S.McNair (shotgun) pass incomplete to E.George. |
| SL 26 | 3-5 | (:22) S.McNair (shotgun) pass to K.Dyson to SL10 for 16 (D.McCleon). QB Pressure by K.Carter and J.WIlliams Tennessee Titans time out at 0:05. Third time out. |
| SL 10 | 1-10 | (:06) S.McNair (shotgun) pass to K.Dyson to SL1 for 9 yards (M.Jones). |
| FINAL SCORE: St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16 | ||
| FINAL RECORDS: St. Louis 16-3, Tennessee 16-4 | ||
Possession and Drives
St Louis Rams
# TIME TIME TIME HOW BALL DRIVE # YDS YDS NET 1ST LAST HOW GIVEN UP
RECD LOST POSS OBTAINED BGN PLAY GAIN PEN YDS DOWN SCRM1 15:00 9:40 5:20 Kickoff SL31 12 40 0 40 3 *TT17 Downs
2 5:48 3:00 2:48 Missed FG SL37 6 54 0 54 2 *TT9 Field Goal
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
3 0:39 14:48 0:51 Punt SL31 6 53 0 53 1 *TT16 Missed FG
4 9:29 4:16 5:13 Punt SL16 11 63 10 73 6 *TT11 Field Goal
5 3:38 0:15 3:23 Punt SL23 13 72 -5 67 6 *TT10 Field Goal
6 11:19 7:20 3:59 Blocked FG SL32 8 68 0 68 4 *TT9 TD
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 0:14 14:36 0:38 Kickoff SL37 3 -1 -5 -6 0 SL31 Punt
8 7:21 6:17 1:04 Kickoff SL21 3 2 0 2 0 SL23 Punt
9 2:12 1:54 0:18 Kickoff SL27 1 73 0 73 1 SL27 TD
(255) Average SL28
Tennessee Titans
# TIME TIME TIME HOW BALL DRIVE # YDS YDS NET 1ST LAST HOW GIVEN UP
RECD LOST POSS OBTAINED BGN PLAY GAIN PEN YDS DOWN SCRM1 9:40 5:48 3:52 Downs TT29 8 42 0 42 2 SL29 Missed FG
2 3:00 0:39 2:21 Kickoff TT16 4 14 0 14 1 TT30 Punt
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
3 14:48 9:29 5:19 Missed FG TT24 9 34 -5 29 3 SL47 Punt
4 4:16 3:38 0:38 Kickoff TT26 3 0 0 0 0 TT26 Punt
5 0:15 0:00 0:15 Kickoff TT20 1 -1 0 -1 0 TT20 Half
6 15:00 11:19 3:41 Kickoff TT28 8 43 0 43 3 SL29 Blocked FG
7 7:20 0:14 7:06 Kickoff TT34 12 66 0 66 5 *SL1 TD
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 14:36 7:21 7:15 Punt TT21 13 79 0 79 6 *SL2 TD
9 6:17 2:12 4:05 Punt TT47 8 28 0 28 2 SL25 Field Goal
10 1:54 0:00 1:54 Kickoff TT12 10 62 25 87 5 *SL10 Game
(257) Average TT26
* inside opponent's 20
Time of Possession by Quarter
1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Total
St Louis Rams 8:47 8:48 4:13 1:46 23:34
Tennessee Titans 6:13 6:12 10:47 13:14 36:26
Kickoff Drive No.-Start Average
RAMS: 4-SL29 TITANS: 6-TT23
|
 |
| Scoring | ||||
| 1ST QUARTER | ||||
STL - FG, JEFF WILKINS 27 YD, 12:00.
Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards in 2:48.
Key plays:
Warner 32-yard pass to Holt to Tennessee 42;
Warner 17-yard pass to Faulk to Tennessee 14.
ST LOUIS 3-0 | ||||
| 2ND QUARTER | ||||
STL - FG, JEFF WILKINS 29 YD, 10:44.
Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards in 5:13.
Key plays:
Warner 11-yard pass to Bruce to St Louis 27;
Warner 15-yard pass to Bruce to Tennessee 45;
Warner 13-yard pass to Holt to Tennessee 32;
Warner 15-yard pass to Holt to Tennessee 16.
ST LOUIS 6-0
STL - FG, JEFF WILKINS 28 YD, 14:45.
Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards in 3:28.
Key plays:
Warner 16-yard pass to Holt on 3rd-and-13 to St Louis 36;
Warner 18-yard pass to Holt to St Louis 47;
Warner 15-yard pass to Bruce to Tennessee 38;
Warner 17-yard pass to Hakim to Tennessee 21.
ST LOUIS 9-0 | ||||
| 3RD QUARTER | ||||
STL - TD, TORRY HOLT 9 YD PASS FROM KURT WARNER (JEFF WILKINS KICK), 7:40.
Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards in 3:59.
Key plays:
Warner 8-yard pass to Faulk on 3rd-and-7 to St Louis 43;
Warner 31-yard pass to Bruce to Tennessee 27;
Warner 16-yard pass to Conwell to Tennessee 10.
ST LOUIS 16-0
TEN - TD, EDDIE GEORGE 1 YD RUN (TWO-POINT CONVERSION FAILED), 14:46.
Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards in 7:06.
Key plays:
George 9-yard run to Tennessee 48;
McNair 5-yard pass to Wycheck on 3rd-and-3 to St Louis 40;
McNair 7-yard pass to Wycheck to St Louis 31;
McNair 2-yard run on 3rd-and-1 to St Louis 29;
McNair 23-yard run to St Louis 2.
ST LOUIS 16-6 | ||||
| 4TH QUARTER | ||||
TEN - TD, EDDIE GEORGE 2 YD RUN (AL DEL GRECO KICK), 7:39.
Drive: 13 plays, 79 yards in 7:15.
Key plays:
McNair 9-yard pass to Dyson on 3rd-and-6 to Tennessee 34;
McNair 2-yard run on 4th-and-1 to Tennessee 45;
McNair 21-yard pass to Byrd to St Louis 24;
McNair 21-yard pass to Harris to St Louis 3.
ST LOUIS 16-13
TEN - FG, AL DEL GRECO 43 YD, 12:48.
Drive: 8 plays, 28 yards in 4:05.
Key plays:
McNair 11-yard run to St Louis 42;
McNair 6-yard pass to Harris on 3rd-and-2 to St Louis 28;
Byrd recovery of Harris fumble at St Louis 28.
ST LOUIS 16, TENNESSEE 16
STL - TD, ISAAC BRUCE 73 YD PASS FROM KURT WARNER (JEFF WILKINS KICK), 13:06.
Drive: 1 play, 73 yards in 0:18.
ST LOUIS 23, TENNESSEE 16 | ||||
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| Rams Defensive | ||||||||||||||||||
| Name | REGULAR DEFENSIVE PLAYS | SPECIAL TEAMS | MISC | |||||||||||||||
| TKL | AST | COMB | SACK | YRDS | IN | PD | FF | FR | TK | AS | FF | FR | BL | TK | AS | FF | FR | |
| B.Jenkins | 9 | 3 | 12 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L.Fletcher | 9 | 2 | 11 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M.Jones | 7 | 2 | 9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.McCleon | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T.Lyght | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T.Collins | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| K.Carter | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.Farr | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| G.Wistrom | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J.Zgonina | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.Bush | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J.Williams | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| R.Agnew | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.Bly | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C.Clemons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| R.Holcombe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M.Horan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| T.Horne | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L.Little | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| K.Warner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TEAM | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 54 | 14 | 68 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| TKL/TK=Tackle | AST/AS=Assist | COMB=Combined | IN=Interception |
| PD=Pass Defense | FF=Forced Fumble | FR=Fumble Recovery | BL=Block |
| Titans Defensive | ||||||||||||||||||
| Name | REGULAR DEFENSIVE PLAYS | SPECIAL TEAMS | MISC | |||||||||||||||
| TKL | AST | COMB | SACK | YRDS | IN | PD | FF | FR | TK | AS | FF | FR | BL | TK | AS | FF | FR | |
| B.Bishop | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A.Dorsett | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J.Kearse | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.Sidney | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E.Robinson | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J.Evans | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.Walker | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J.Bowden | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J.Fisk | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| B.Wortham | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.Mitchell | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S.Jackson | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| P.Phenix | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S.Rolle | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| I.Byrd | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| G.Favors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T.Killens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| G.McCullough | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 32 | 8 | 40 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Field Goals - made( ) & missed:
St. Louis/Jeff Wilkins (27), 34WR, (29), (28); Tennessee/Al Del Greco 47WL, 47B, (43).
Interceptions:
None.
Fumbles lost:
None.
Opponent's fumbles recovered:
None.
Officials:
Referee-Bob McElwee, Umpire-Ron Botchan, Head Linesman-Earnie Frantz, Line Judge-Byron Boston, Field Judge-Al Jury, Side Judge-Tom Fincken, Back Judge-Bill Leavy.
Time:
3:28.
TEAM STATISTICS STL TEN |
FIRST DOWNS 23 27 Rushing 1 12 Passing 18 13 Penalty 4 2 3RD-DOWN EFFICIENCY 5-12 6-13 4TH-DOWN EFFICIENCY 0-1 1-1 TOTAL NET YARDS 436 367 Total plays 59 73 Average gain 7.4 5.0 NET YARDS RUSHING 29 159 Rushes 13 36 Average per rush 2.2 4.4 NET YARDS PASSING 407 208 Completed-attempted 24-45 22-36 Yards per pass 8.8 5.6 Sacked-yards lost 1-7 1-6 Had intercepted 0 0 PUNTS-AVERAGE 2-38.5 3-43.0 RETURN YARDAGE 63 121 Punts-returns 2-8 1-minus 1 Kickoffs-returns 4-55 5-122 Interceptions-returns 0-0 0-0 PENALTIES-YARDS 8-60 7-45 FUMBLES-LOST 2-0 1-0 TIME OF POSSESSION 23:34 36:26 |
Lineups
St. Louis Rams Tennessee Titans
OFFENSE DEFENSE OFFENSE DEFENSE
WR 88 T.Holt LE 93 K.Carter WR 87 K.Dyson LE 90 J.Kearse
LT 76 O.Pace LT 99 R.Agnew LT 72 B.Hopkins LT 91 J.Evans
LG 61 T.Nutten RT 75 D.Farr LG 74 B.Matthews RT 97 J.Fisk
C 60 M.Gruttadauria RE 98 G.Wistrom C 60 K.Long RE 99 K.Holmes
RG 62 A.Timmerman LLB 52 M.Jones RG 75 B.Olson LLB 55 E.Robinson
RT 73 F.Miller MLB 59 L.Fletcher RT 69 J.Runyan MLB 52 B.Wortham
TE 86 R.Williams RLB 54 T.Collins TE 89 F.Wycheck RLB 58 J.Bowden
WR 80 I.Bruce LCB 41 T.Lyght WR 83 I.Byrd LCB 25 D.Walker
QB 13 K.Warner RCB 21 D.McCleon QB 9 S.McNair RCB 21 S.Rolle
FB 25 R.Holcombe SS 22 B.Jenkins RB 27 E.George SS 23 B.Bishop
RB 28 M.Faulk FS 35 K.Lyle TE 88 J.Harris FS 33 A.Dorsett
SUBSTITUTIONS SUBSTITUTIONS
P 2 M.Horan,K 14 J.Wilkins,S 23 D.Bush,RB 31 K 3 A.Del Greco,P-K 15 C.Hentrich,RB 20
A.Lee,CB 32 D.Bly,S 38 R.Coady,RB 42 J.Hodgins, R.Thomas,S 24 S.Jackson,CB 30 D.Mitchell,S 35
TE 45 J.Robinson,C 50 R.Tucker,LB 51 L.Styles, P.Phenix,CB 37 D.Sidney,CB 38 G.McCullough,FB
LB 56 C.Clemons,LB 57 L.Little,LB 58 M.Morton, 41 L.Neal,LB 50 T.Killens,LB 51 G.Favors,LB 59
G 64 A.McCollum,WR 81 A.Hakim,WR 82 T.Horne,TE D.Colman,G 66 J.Layman,DT 78 J.Thornton,WR 81
84 E.Conwell,WR 87 R.Proehl,DT 90 J.Zgonina,DT C.Sanders,TE 84 L.Brown,WR 85 D.Mason,WR 86
95 N.Hobgood-Chittick,DE 96 J.Williams J.Kent,DT-DE 92 H.Ford,DT 95 J.Salave'a,DT-DE
DID NOT PLAY DID NOT PLAY
QB 16 P.Justin,CB 20 T.Allen QB 14 N.O'Donnell,T 76 J.Mathews
NOT ACTIVE NOT ACTIVE
QB 9 J.Germaine,S 24 R.Carpenter,RB 36 QB 13 K.Daft,RB 26 S.George,S 31 M.Robertson,
J.Watson,G 71 C.Spikes,T 77 M.Willig,WR 83 LB 54 P.Glover,C 62 C.Page,G 71 Z.Piller,WR 82
C.Thomas,LB 91 T.Pelshak,DE 92 L.Barnes Y.Thigpen,DE 94 M.Frederick
 St. Louis' Isaac Bruce is chased by Tennessee's Anthony Dorsett as Bruce scores the game-winning touchdown (AFP). |
Warner connected with Isaac Bruce on a 73-yard scoring play with 1:54 remaining and Jones prevented overtime with a tackle of Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line to preserve a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome.
Mike Martz, the Rams' offensive coordinator who had planned to send in plays to quarterback Trent Green this season before losing him to a season-ending knee injury in an exhibition, called for "Twins right, Ace right, 999 halfback balloon." In Rams' talk, that means everyone go deep, and let Warner chuck it to the guy most open -- in this case wide receiver Isaac Bruce.
The Los Angeles Rams won the 1951 NFL championship with Norm Van Brocklin completing a 73-yard pass to Tom Fears late in the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a 24-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Warner authored perhaps the most remarkable season in NFL history with a Super Bowl-record 414 passing yards, surpassing Joe Montana's mark of 357 yards in Super Bowl XXIII against Cincinnati.
"I always believed in myself and I got a whole bunch of people here that believed in me," said Warner, who completed 24-of-45 passes. "As long as I had those guys I was going to give them everything I had."
After toiling in virtual anonymity in the Arena League and NFL Europe, Warner became the NFL's most improbable Most Valuable Player during the season. Tonight, he completed the script with Super Bowl MVP honors.
"Kurt Warner is Kurt Warner. It is not a fairy tale, it is real life," Rams coach Dick Vermeil said. "He is an example of what we all like to be on and off the field. He is a great example of persistence and believing in himself and a deep faith."
The Rams (16-3), who relocated from Los Angeles to St. Louis in 1995, won their first NFL championship since 1951. They made their only previous Super Bowl appearance 20 years ago. Vermeil became only the fourth coach to take two franchises to a Super Bowl, guiding Philadelphia 19 years ago.
In defeat, the Titans staged the greatest rally in Super Bowl history, erasing a 16-0 third-quarter deficit. Al Del Greco's 43-yard field goal with 2:12 left tied the game.
Faced with having to prove he could orchestrate a game-winning, two-minute drill, Warner needed just one play to put St. Louis back into the lead. With the Rams at their 27, Warner lofted a pass down the right sideline before being knocked to the ground by defensive end Jevon Kearse. Bruce slowed a bit to make the catch over cornerback Denard Walker at the Tennessee 38, cut past safety Anthony Dorsett to the middle of the field and raced into the end zone.
"I was in a lot of man coverage out there and I felt I could beat that guy," said Bruce, who finished with six catches for 162 yards. "It was just a great play. Kurt threw it up and I knew I had to make an adjustment on the ball and God did the rest."
 Titans quarterback Steve McNair calls out a play in the Super Bowl. (Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY) |
But Tennessee fought back as quarterback Steve McNair marched the Titans 78 yards in nine plays to the St. Louis 10 with six seconds left.
On the game's final play, McNair fired a pass to Dyson, who ran a quick slant from the right to the middle inside the 5. But as Dyson appeared to be heading toward the end zone, Jones reacted quickly from his outside linebacker position and made the tackle at the 1.
As Dyson vainly attempted to stretch the ball past the goal line while lying on the turf, Rams players leaped in celebration in perhaps the wildest ending in Super Bowl history.
"It was 3-on-2, the safety, myself and the DB on the tight end and the wide receiver," Jones said. "Both their guys went upfield, so I'm thinking they're going to run the tight end on the inside route. But I guess they must have been studying our defense, because he (Dyson) made a quick inside cut. I sam him plant in the cut, and I broke on it, and I ended up making the tackle and the game was over."
 Tennessee's Kevin Dyson is tackled short of the goal line by St. Louis' Mike Jones on the final play (AP). |
Dyson admitted he "definitely" thought he would score after catching the pass.
"As soon as I caught it I was thinking yellow paydirt," Dyson said. "When we called the play, I didn't think anybody would be in the middle of the field."
McNair escaped a strong rush from Kevin Carter and hit Dyson with a 16-yard pass to the 10 before the game's final play.
Bruce had six catches for 162 yards, rookie Torry Holt added seven for 109 and running back Marshall Faulk five for 90. Faulk, who set an NFL record for scrimmage yards this season, was held to 17 yards on 10 carries.
McNair was 22-of-36 for 214 yards. He was more effective as a runner, amassing a quarterback-record 64 yards on eight rushes. Tight ends Jackie Harris and Frank Wycheck combined for 12 catches for 99 yards.
"I believe you saw the real Steve McNair tonight," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "He did what we asked him to do. He left it on the field. That is what I told him. I told him we will be back. Don't ever forget this moment, because we will be back because he has got the heart of a champion."
The Titans (16-4) appeared in the Super Bowl for the first time in the history of the franchise. They were the sixth wild card team to reach the championship.
Panned in some circles this week as the "Hee-Haw Bowl," the surprise teams ended up staging perhaps the most dramatic Super Bowl of them all.
In Super Bowl V, Jim O'Brien kicked a 32-yard field goal in the final five seconds to give Baltimore a 16-13 victory over Dallas. In Super Bowl XXIII, Joe Montana threw a game-winning touchdown pass with 34 seconds left to give San Francisco a 20-16 victory over Cincinnati. In Super Bowl XXV, Scott Norwood missed a 47-yard field goal and the New York Giants held on to beat Buffalo, 20-19.
Only those Super Bowls could rival this one for dramatic endings. Like Super Bowl XXV, this game featured no turnovers.
"I think we showed America what the Super Bowl is all about today," Vermeil said.
The Rams dominated for 2 1/2 quarters with their fast-break, PlayStation offense, compiling 294 yards in the first half. But after reaching the red zone on their five first-half possessions, they managed just three field goals by Jeff Wilkins.
Warner's nine-yard touchdown pass to Holt with 7:20 left in the third quarter increased St. Louis' lead to 16-0.
The touchdown came three plays after Titans safety Blaine Bishop had to be carted off the field with a neck injury. X-rays taken at Piedmont Hospital were negative.
Despite appearing deflated, the Titans put together a 12-play, 66-yard drive which resulted in a one-yard touchdown run by Eddie George with 14 seconds left in the quarter. However, McNair misfired on a conversion pass to Wycheck.
Tennessee pulled within 16-13 on George's second TD of the game, a second-effort two-yard run with 7:21 remaining.
After being held to 18 yards on seven carries in the first half, George had 77 yards on 21 carries in the second half.
"Even when we were down 16-0, there was no doubt in my mind that we were going to win the game," George said. "That's our mindset. That's the way it's been all year long."
The Rams spent most of the day exploiting Tennessee's secondary and rushed the ball only 13 times. Faulk finished with only 17 yards on 10 carries.
Wilkins kicked field goals of 27, 29 and 28 yards in the first half. He was wide right on a 34-yard attempt and lost a chance at another field goal when Mike Horan mishandled the snap.
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz promised during Super Bowl week he would be "aggressive," and he lived up to his word tonight as the Rams attempted 35 passes opposed to just eight running plays in the first half.
Warner was 19-of-35 for 277 yards, but was unable to get his team in the end zone in the half.
Expected to pound away at the Rams with their running game, the Titans attempted passes on 14 of their 24 offensive plays in the first half. They had one scoring threat which resulted in a missed 47-yard field goal attempt by Del Greco.
Warner's scoring pass to Holt came on a third-down play and capped a 68-yard drive. The key play was a 31-yard pass from Warner to Bruce, who again victimized Walker.
George rushed seven times for 26 yards on Tennessee's first scoring drive and produced 21 yards on its second drive, which consumed more than seven minutes.
After a three-and-out by St. Louis, Tennessee took over on its 47. McNair scrambled for 11 yards and George rushed for eight yards on the next two plays.
Tennessee received a major break on the next play when Harris caught a six-yard pass and had the ball jarred loose by safety Billy Jenkins. However, Isaac Byrd recovered the ball at the St. Louis 28 to keep the drive alive. Four plays later, Del Greco kicked a 43-yard field goal.
"We came back in the second half determined not to make those same mistakes as we did in the first half and things worked out good for us," McNair said. "We had a chance in the end, we just came up short."
 Photograph by: Dilip Vishwanat/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: John Gaps III/Associated Press |
 Photograph by: John Bazemore/Associated Press |
 Photograph by: Associated Press |
 Photograph by: Dilip Vishwanat/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Associated Press |
 Photograph by: Bob Leverone/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: John Bazemore/Associated Press |
 Photograph by: Associated Press |
 Photograph by: Associated Press |
 Photograph by: Bob Leverone/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Robert Seale/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Robert Seale/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Associated Press |
 Photograph by: Albert Dickson/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Associated Press |
 Photograph by: Bob Leverone/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Robert Seale/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Bob Leverone/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Albert Dickson/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Bob Leverone/The Sporting News |
 Photograph by: Doug Mills/Associated Press |
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St. Louis (15-3) vs Tennessee (16-3) 6:18pm EST Super Bowl XXXIV
Standing in the way in Super Bowl XXXIV are the Tennessee Titans, who may feel destiny is on their side after a miraculous playoff win at home was followed by two road victories as an underdog. Tonight's meeting between the transplanted franchises at the Georgia Dome will result in a first-time Super Bowl winner. "It's not about getting here, it's about winning it," said Rams quarterback and NFL MVP Kurt Warner. "We're not finished yet." The Rams, the losingest NFC team of the 1990s, made their only Super Bowl appearance 20 years ago when the franchise was based in Los Angeles and suffered a 31-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They moved to St. Louis five years ago and last won an NFL championship back in 1951. The Titans became the last of the six original AFL teams to reach the Super Bowl, but won AFL titles in 1960 and 1961. Known as the Houston Oilers for the first 37 years, the franchise moved to Tennessee three years ago and changed its nickname to Titans before the 1999 season. Tonight, the Titans hope to become the third wild card team to win a Super Bowl, following the 1980 Oakland Raiders and the 1997 Denver Broncos. Tennessee is the sixth wild card team to advance to the Super Bowl. Amazingly, the playoff run started with a classic known as the "Music City Miracle." The Titans appeared to be dead in the wild-card round when Steve Christie's 41-yard field goal with 16 seconds left gave Buffalo a 16-15 lead. But on the ensuing kickoff, Kevin Dyson caught an across-the-field lateral from Frank Wycheck and raced 75 yards down the left sideline with three seconds left to give Tennessee a 22-16 victory. A week later, the Titans went into Indianapolis and beat the Colts, 19-16, as Eddie George rushed for 162 yards. Last Sunday, they beat AFC Central rival Jacksonville for the third time this season. But the Titans' story takes a back seat to that of Warner and the Rams. A virtual unknown from the Arena League and NFL Europe, Warner was pressed into a starting role when free agent signee Trent Green suffered torn knee ligaments in the preseason and enjoyed one of the best seasons by a quarterback in NFL history. The Rams went from worst to first, and Warner became only the second quarterback to throw as many as 40 touchdown passes in a season and recorded an astounding quarterback rating of 109.2 After compiling a 9-23 record in coach Dick Vermeil's first two seasons, the Rams' fast-break offense became the league's feature attraction with 526 points, third-highest in league history. Lured out of a 14-year retirement in 1997, Vermeil will become the fourth coach to take two franchises to a Super Bowl, following Don Shula, Bill Parcells and Dan Reeves. In Vermeil's first trip, his Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Raiders, 27-10 in Super Bowl XV. But the Titans will not be mesmerized by St. Louis. After all, they beat the Rams, 24-21 on October 31 at Tennessee, although Warner staged a late rally and nearly pulled the game out. Steve McNair threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score to help the Titans build a 21-point first-quarter lead. Warner, whose two fumbles led to two of Tennessee's touchdowns, threw three scoring passes in the second half. After Warner's 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Amp Lee pulled the Rams within 24-21 with 2:14 left, St. Louis' Lorenzo Styles recovered the ensuing onside kick. Warner drove the Rams to the Tennessee 19, but Jeff Wilkins missed wide right on a 38-yard field goal attempt with seven seconds remaining.
"We barely hung on," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said of the October 31 contest. "Our biggest challenge Sunday from a defensive standpoint will be trying to corral their weapons on offense." Fisher may try to emulate the game plan designed by Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy in the NFC championship game. Mixing deep cover zones to prevent the big play, Dungy kept St. Louis' explosive offense in check most of the day. But on a blitz, Warner lofted a deep pass down the left sideline and Ricky Proehl made an acrobatic 30-yard touchdown catch with 4:44 remaining to lift St. Louis to an 11-6 victory. For an offense which averaged 33 points and 401 yards per game during the regular season and exploded for 49 points in a divisional playoff win over Minnesota, one touchdown turned out to be enough for the Rams to beat the offensively-challenged Buccaneers. It will likely not be enough to beat the Titans, who erupted for 23 points in the second half of last week's 33-14 victory over the Jaguars in the AFC championship game. Playing with a sore toe, McNair rushed for 91 yards, including a pair of touchdowns, and threw a scoring pass to Yancey Thigpen. Although he continues to wear a protective boot on his foot during Super Bowl week, McNair will start tonight. However, the Titans will be without starting free safety Marcus Robertson and Thigpen is listed as doubtful. Robertson broke his left fibula and Thigpen suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot in the AFC title game. Anthony Dorsett, the son of former Dallas Cowboys great Tony Dorsett, will start at free safety and Isaac Byrd would replace Thigpen. Rams rookie receiver Torry Holt suffered bruised ribs in the NFC championship game, but is expected to play tonight. A bye week would especially benefit Thigpen and Holt, but this will mark the fifth time a Super Bowl will be played the week immediately after the conference title games. "Sure I'd rather have the extra week," Vermeil said. "But it's the same for both teams so we can't use it as an excuse." The Rams boast the NFL's top run defense and held George to 68 yards on 17 carries and McNair to 36 yards on 12 carries in the first meeting. Although the Titans scored 24 points, two touchdowns came on drives of less than 27 yards following turnovers. St. Louis' defense is led by end Kevin Carter, the league's sack leader with 17, middle linebacker London Fletcher, the club's leading tackler and tackle D'Marco Farr. Tennessee's defense forced six turnovers and recorded a safety in last Sunday's win at Jacksonville. The Titans' pass rush was a key factor in their win over the Rams as rookie end Jevon Kearse forced a fumble by Warner, and drew numerous motion and holding penalties on right tackle Fred Miller. However, St. Louis made adjustments in the second half and had Tennessee's defense on its heels. Warner finished the game with 328 yards passing and Marshall Faulk rushed for 90 yards on 16 carries and caught six passes for 94 yards. In the only previous Super Bowl at the Georgia Dome, the Dallas Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills, 30-13 in January 1994.
updated at Sun Jan 30 19:06:47 2000 PT
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Updated 7:13 AM ET January 30, 2000 OFFENSE QB Steve McNair, 26, 6-2, 224 -- Elusive quarterback provides an added dimension with his running and scrambling ability ... Overcame back surgery that caused him to miss five games early in the season. ... Often criticized for making too many mistakes, the underrated signal-caller completed 187-of-331 passes for 2,179 yards with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Also rushed for 337 yards and eight TDs on 72 attempts, a solid 4.7 per-carry average. ... Overcame turf toe to rush for a team-high 91 yards in last week's 33-14 victory over Jacksonville in the AFC title game. .... Started all 16 games for Tennesssee in 1997 and 1998, passing for a career-high 3,228 yards last season. ... Earned the nickname "Air McNair" at Alcorn State, where he became the only player in NCAA history to gain more than 16,000 yards (16,823) in total yards. ... Was the first quarterback and third overall player selected in the 1995 draft. ... Joins Warren Moon, George Blanda and Ken Stabler as only QBs in Houston-Tennessee franchise history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season. RB Eddie George, 26, 6-3, 240 -- Powerful running back out of Ohio State rushed for 1,304 yards, his fourth straight 1,000-yard season. Rushed for a team-high nine touchdowns and scored 13 overall while falling just 95 yards shy of his career high of 1,399 yards in 1997. ... Started all 16 games and earned his third straight Pro Bowl berth. ... Finished third in the AFC in rushing behind Indianapolis' rookie Edgerrin James and Curtis Martin of the New York Jets. ... Also a legitimate receiving threat, ranking third on the team in catches (47) and receiving yards (458) ... Durable back has never missed a game in his four-year career, rushing for 5,365 yards. ... Won Heisman Trophy in 1995 and was drafted in the first round in the 1996 draft. FB Lorenzo Neal, 30, 5-11, 240 -- Regarded as one of the top blocking backs, providing George with a traditional fullback for the first time in his career. ... Signed by the Titans as a free agent on March 2, 1999 after playing one season with Tampa Bay. ... Spent the first four seasons of his career with New Orleans and one with the New York Jets. WR Yancy Thigpen, 30, 6-1, 203 -- Suffered a fractured left foot in last week's win over Jacksonville but still hopes to play in the Super Bowl. ... Completed his second season with Tennessee after six years in Pittsburgh, where he had a pair of 1,000-yard receiving campaigns, including a career-best 1,398 yards in 1997. Missed six games in 1999, but still ranked second on the Titans in receiving yards with 648. ... A two-time Pro Bowler who holds Pittsburgh records for receptions in a season (85 in 1995) and receiving yards (1,398). WR Kevin Dyson, 24, 6-1, 201 -- Scored miraculous 75-yard touchdown on a kickoff return with three seconds remaining to give the Titans a 22-16 win over Buffalo in the wild card round. ... Enjoyed solid second year in the NFL, catching 54 passes for a team-high 658 yards. Also tied for a team-high with four receiving scores. ... Was the Titans' top pick out of Utah in 1998, becoming the first receiver taken in that year's draft. TE Frank Wycheck, 29, 6-3, 250 -- Became immortalized in NFL lore with his lateral that set up Dyson's touchdown against the Bills. ... Among the top tight ends in the NFL, the seven-year veteran had 69 catches to lead the club in receptions for the fourth straight season. Had 53 in 1996, 63 in 1997 and a career-high 70 last year. ... Earned his second straight Pro Bowl appearance. LT Brad Hopkins, 29, 6-3, 306 -- Completed his seventh season with the Oilers-Titans after being drafted in the first round in 1993. ... Has started 103 of 107 regular-season games dating to October 17, 1993. Had a string of 70 consecutive starts snapped on November 8, 1998 with a groin injury that caused him to miss three games. ... Signed a multi-year contract in 1997. LG Bruce Matthews, 38, 6-5, 289 -- Future Hall of Famer is finally enjoying the fruits of a 17-year career as he will make his first Super Bowl appearance against the Rams. ... The venerable 38-year-old lineman is the active NFL leader with 200 consecutive regular-season starts. ... Ranks seventh all-time and first among offensive lineman in games played with 264 -- all with Houston-Tennessee -- and could climb to No. 3 by playing a full 2000 season. Also would pass his brother, Clay, who played in 279 games for the Cleveland Browns from 1978-1993. ... Was selected to his 12th straight Pro Bowl. C Kevin Long, 24, 6-5, 296 -- Completed his second season with the Titans, handling all snapping duties. ... Drafted in the seventh round out of Florida State in 1998. ... Earned All-Rookie honors last season. ... Earned All-American honors with the Seminoles as a two-year starter. RG Benji Olson, 24, 6-3, 315 -- Another young lineman who also completed his second campaign with the Titans. Entered draft after junior season at Washington, where he was a two-time All-American. ... Drafted in the fifth round of the 1998 draft was a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy, awarded to nation's top interior lineman. RT Jon Runyan, 26, 6-7, 320 -- The fifth-year veteran has gained a reputation as one of the top young linemen in the NFL. ... Punishing blocker has started 48 consecutive games at right tackle. ... Drafted in the fourth round out of Michigan in 1996 with the 10th overall pick. DEFENSE LE Jevon Kerse, 24, 6-4, 252 -- The rookie out of Florida made an immediate impression, becoming just the second first-year defensive end to be selected to the Pro Bowl. ... Led the AFC in sacks with 14.5 and finished fourth overall in the NFL. ... Had two sacks and a forced fumble in Tennessee's 22-16 victory over Buffalo in the wild card round. ... Finished fourth on the club with 85 tackles. ... Possesses combination of power and exceptional quickness as demonstrated his 4.43 time in the 40-yard dash. LT Josh Evans, 27, 6-2, 288 -- Completed his fifth season, all with the Oilers-Titans. Originally signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie free agent but was released and picked up by the Oilers on September 1, 1995. ... Nearly scored his first career touchdown in a 44-14 victory over Cincinnati last season as he scooped up a fumble by the Bengals' Corey Dillon and returned it 78 yards. But after the play was initially ruled a touchdown, the officials ruled it an incomplete pass. RT Jason Fisk, 27, 6-3, 292 -- Signed with the Titans as an unrestricted free agent after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Proved to be a valuable addition with 81 tackles, good for seventh on the team ... Started all 16 games last season, recording three sacks and an interception, the third of his career. ... Recorded two sacks in last year's NFC championship game against Atlanta. RE Kenny Holmes, 26, 6-4, 270 -- One of five Titans with at least four sacks (4.5) this season. ... Had seven in 1997, finishing second among rookies behind Baltimore's Peter Boulware. ... Was drafted by Tennessee in the first round in 1997. ... Took over as the starter at right end for the last four games of the 1997 season. LLB Eddie Robinson, 29, 6-1, 240 -- Durable veteran who has missed only one game in his eight-year career, starting 116 of 127 regular-season games. ... Had 115 tackles to tie Blaine Bishop for the team high and ranked second on the club with a career-high 6.5 sacks. ... Signed with the Titans in 1998, rejoining the organization that drafted him in 1992. Spent the first four years of his career with the Houston Oilers before spending two seasons with Jacksonville. MLB Barron Wortham, 39, 5-11, 244 -- Moved back in as the Titans' starting middle linebacker after seeing his role limited in 1998, when Joe Bowden manned the position. ... Finished fifth on the team with 84 tackles after recording a career-high 97 last season. ... Played in all 16 games for the Oilers in 1995 with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. RLB Joe Bowden, 29, 5-11, 235 -- Switched back to right linebacker this season after recording a career-high 145 tackles and his first two touchdowns at the middle linebacker spot last season. ... Has a string of 80 consecutive games played, the longest streak among current Tennessee defensive players. LCB Denard Walker, 26, 6-1, 190 -- Capped solid 1998 season by holding Minnesota All-Pro receiver Randy Moss to just 32 yards on five catches in the regular-season finale. Finished the year with a career-high 91 tackles. ... Led all defensive backs with 159 tackles in his first two seasons. ... Drafted by Tennessee in the third round in 1997. RCB Samari Rolle, 23, 6-0, 175 -- A second-round draft pick out of Miami in 1998 who led the Titans with four interceptions. ... Also had three sacks. ... Emerged as a starter this season after playing in mostly nickel and dime packages last year. ... Made his first career start against Seattle on November 29, 1998. SS Blaine Bishop, 29, 5-9, 203 -- The heart of soul of the Titans' secondary has reached the century mark in tackles four times in his seven-year career, including a career high 116 in 1998. He just missed that mark this this season with 115. ... Earned three straight Pro Bowl berths from 1995-97, tying Ken Houston's franchise record for most appearances by a defensive back. ... Signed multi-year contract prior to the 1997 season after being designated the club's franchise player. FS Anthony Dorsett, 26, 5-11, 200 -- The son of former Dallas Cowboys great Tony Dorsett will start in Super Bowl in place of Marcus Robertson, who suffered a broken left ankle last week against Jacksonville. ... Was named as an special teams alternate in the Pro Bowl but is relatively inexperienced at safety. ... Changed uniform number from 30 to 33 last season in honor of his father. KICKING GAME K Al Del Greco, 37, 5-10, 202 -- One of the most consistent kickers in NFL history moved into the top 10 on the all-time scoring list this season. He ranks fourth among active players and ninth all-time with 1,466 points. ... Holds 13 franchise records, including career points (942), most seasons with 100 or more points (7), most field goals made (219) and most consecutive PATs (209). P Craig Hentrich, 28, 6-3, 205 -- Enjoyed another solid season as his net average of 38.1 was tied for third best in the league. ... Had the best year of his six-year career in 1998, leading the NFL in gross (47.2) and net average (39.2). That led to his first Pro Bowl selection. ... Signed with the Titans as a free agent in 1998 after spending four seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Jan 25 The AFC champion Titans, the sixth wild card team to make the Super Bowl, were first on center stage at Tuesday's media day. ... G Bruce Matthews, who set a record for most games played by an offensive lineman with 265, will participate in his first Super Bowl on Sunday after 17 years with the Houtson Oilers-Titans franchise. ... Tennessee, which beat the Jacksonville Jaguars for the third time this season on Sunday to reach the Super Bowl, also beat St. Louis earlier this season. The Titans forced three turnovers and got six sacks in a 24-21 victory in Week Eight. ... Unfortunately, Tennessee is likely without two starters on Sunday due to injuries. WR Yancey Thigpen left the game against Jacksonville in the first half with a fracture in his left foot and S Marcus Robertson is out with a broken ankle. ... RB Eddie George needs 37 yards against St. Louis on Sunday to pass Thurman Thomas (390 yards in 1990) for the fifth-most rushing yards in a single postseason. |
Updated 7:11 AM ET January 30, 2000 Coach -- Dick Vermeil -- Just a year ago, Vermeil, 63, was a coach on the hot seat. Now he's the NFL's coach of the year and headed to the Super Bowl for the second time in his career. When Vermeil guided the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl following the 1980 season, he was known as the "Little Dictator" because of his grueling practice regimen. When the Eagles were beaten by the Oakland Raiders, 27-10 in Super Bowl XV, Vermeil was criticized for driving his players too hard. ... Two years later, he resigned and added "coaching burnout" to the football lexicon. After 14 years out of coaching with stints in the broadcast booth, Vermeil returned in 1997 to take over the Rams. After going 9-23 in his first two seasons, Vermeil was in trouble. The players nearly staged a revolt because of his hard practices and the fans wanted him ousted, but management elected to honor his contract. ... Vermeil juiced up the offense by hiring quarterbacks coach Mike Martz away from Washington, acquiring running back Marshall Faulk from Indianapolis and signing quarterback Trent Green. Yet it was quarterback Kurt Warner who saved Vermeil with an MVP season after Green tore knee ligaments in the preseason. Has a 76-73 record in 10 seasons. OFFENSE QB Kurt Warner, 28, 6-2, 200 -- The most improbable MVP in NFL history. A virtual unknown before the season, Warner went unclaimed in the expansion draft and was pressed into a starting role when free agent signee Trent Green suffered torn knee ligaments in a preseason game. ... Yet after toiling in the Arena League and NFL Europe, Warner enjoyed one of the best seasons by a quarterback in NFL history, becoming only the second player to throw 40 or more touchdown passes in a season with 41 and recording the fifth-best passer rating (109.2) in league history. ... Directed an offense which produced 526 points, the third-highest single-season total, and completed a league-best 65 percent of his passes (325-of-499) for 4,353 yards. ... Was the model of consistency with nine 300-yard games, tying a single-season record shared by Dan Marino and Warren Moon, and threw at least two TD passes in 14 games. Passed for 391 yards and five TDs in his first playoff game, a 49-37 win over Minnesota. ... Had less than a quarter of NFL experience before this season. Played for the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena League from 1995-97. ... Started for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in 1998 and led the league in passing yards (2,101) and touchdowns (15). ... Spent 1994 training camp with the Green Bay Packers. RB Marshall Faulk, 26, 5-10, 211 -- Acquired from Indianapolis for the bargain price of a second- and fifth-round pick, Faulk provided St. Louis with unparalleled versatility. ... Set an all-time record for yards from scrimmage with 2,429 (1,381 rushing, 1,048 receiving) and became the second player in NFL history with 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season (Roger Craig in 1985). ... His 87 catches ranked fourth in the NFC and his 5.5 average per rush was highest in the league (at least 100 attempts). ... Earned fourth Pro Bowl berth in his six-year career. ... In 1998, set the Colts single-season record and led the league with 2,227 yards from scrimmage. ... Had 1,319 yards rushing and 86 catches for 908 yards. ... Second overall pick in 1994 earned rookie of the year honors. FB Robert Holcombe, 24, 5-11, 220 -- A second-round pick in 1998, Holcombe was used mainly as a blocker for Faulk. Rushed for 294 yards and four touchdowns on 78 carries. Illinois' all-time leading rusher with 4,105 yards. WR Isaac Bruce, 27, 6-0, 188 -- Earned his second Pro Bowl berth after catching 77 passes for 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns. An especially sweet season for Bruce after he missed 11 games in 1998 due to hamstring problems. ... Has 389 career catches for 5,828 yards and 41 touchdowns in 77 games. ... A second-round pick in 1994, no player caught more passes in his first three NFL seasons than Bruce with 224. ... Set career highs with 119 receptions for 1,781 yards in 1995, the best ever for a Rams receiver. WR Torry Holt, 23, 6-0, 190 -- The sixth overall pick in the 1999 draft, Holt is the Rams' only rookie starter. He ranked third on the team with 52 receptions for 788 yards (15.2 average) and six touchdowns. ... Set school records at North Carolina State with 191 catches for 3,379 yards and 31 touchdowns. ... Suffered bruised ribs in the NFC championship game, but is expected to play on Sunday. TE Roland Williams, 24, 6-5, 269 -- A fourth-round pick in 1998, Williams caught 25 passes for 226 yards and six touchdowns in his first full season as the starter. ... Moved from H-back to tight end when incumbent Ernie Conwell suffered a major knee injury in an October 1998 game against San Francisco. LT Orlando Pace, 24, 6-7, 320 -- First overall pick in the 1997 draft, Pace is one of the premier young tackles in the game and was named as a Pro Bowl starter. Dominated right end Chris Doleman, holding him to no tackles or sacks in divisional playoff win over Minnesota. ... Legendary college career at Ohio State where he became the first player to win two consecutive Lombardi awards, given to the best lineman, and an Outland Trophy for best interior lineman. ... Applied for draft after junior year and became the first offensive lineman chosen first overall in 30 years. LG Tom Nutten, 28, 6-5, 300 -- Was a teammate of QB Kurt Warner with Amsterdam in 1998. ... Moved in at left guard when last year's starter Fred Miller was moved to right tackle. ... Originally drafted by Buffalo as a seventh-round pick in 1995. Played with Hamilton of the CFL in 1997. C Mike Gruttadauria, 27, 6-3, 297 -- In his fourth year with the Rams, Gruttadauria has started 35 games. Undrafted free agent, he started 14 games at center in 1997. ... Suffered a knee injury the following preseason and lost the starting job to John Flannery. Regained the starting job this season. RG Adam Timmerman, 28, 6-4, 300 -- A starter on Green Bay's back-to-back Super Bowl teams in 1996 and 1997, Timmerman signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Rams last February. ... Provided much-needed stability to the line. A seventh-round pick in 1995, Timmerman played the first four years of his career with Green Bay. Has played in 12 postseason games. RT Fred Miller, 26, 6-7, 315 -- Moved from left guard to right tackle after starter Wayne Gandy signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh. ... Unfortunately, may be best known for struggling to block speedy defensive end Jevon Kearse in a loss at Tennessee on October 31. ... A fifth-round pick in 1996. DEFENSE LE Kevin Carter, 26, 6-5, 280 -- Became the first member of the Rams to lead the NFL in sacks with 17. With one year left on his contract, Carter should command big bucks as the Rams attempt to sign him to an extension. Has a total of 29 sacks over the last two years. ... Defensive line coach Carl Hairston says he's never seen a lineman with Carter's combination of size, strength and speed. ... A first-round pick in 1995, Carter has started 80 straight games over five seasons. LT Ray Agnew, 32, 6-3, 285 -- The 10-year veteran is St. Louis' oldest starter. Signed by the Rams as an unrestricted free agent in February 1998. ... Along with fellow tackle D'Marco Farr and MLB London Fletcher, has helped the Rams lead the league in run defense at 74.3 yards per game. ... A first-round pick of New England in 1990, he played five years with the Patriots and three years with the New York Giants. RT D'Marco Farr, 28, 6-1, 280 -- One of the league's quickest defensive tackles, ranking second on the team with 8 1/2 sacks. Set a career high with 11 1/2 sacks in 1995, his first full year as a starter. ... An undrafted free agent in 1994, Farr has started 80 straight games. ... Has 35 1/2 career sacks and three interceptions. RE Grant Wistrom, 23, 6-4, 267 -- The sixth overall pick in the 1998 draft, Wistrom moved in as a starter this season and had 6 1/2 sacks. ... Won the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's top college lineman, at Nebraska in 1997. LLB Mike Jones, 30, 6-1, 240 -- Solid cover linebacker, Jones had four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and is also strong against the run. Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Rams in 1997. ... Has started all 48 games with the Rams and recorded a career-high 106 tackles in 1998. ... Spent six years with the Raiders after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 1991. MLB London Fletcher, 24, 6-0, 241 -- Second-year player from John Carroll University led the Rams in tackles. Hall of Fame coach Don Shula is an alumnus of John Carroll. ... Fletcher signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in April 1998 and surprisingly made the team. ... When incumbent Eric Hill was not retained for salary cap purposes, Fletcher won the middle linebacker job in training camp over Lorenzo Styles. ... Along with leading the team in tackles, Fletcher had three sacks. RLB Todd Collins, 29, 6-2, 248 -- Started at outside linebacker for New England in Super Bowl XXXI three years ago. After six seasons with New England, Collins signed as a free agent with St. Louis last March to replace Roman Phifer at right outside linebacker. ... Intercepted a pass by Dan Marino and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown in a 1997 playoff game. LCB Todd Lyght, 30, 6-0, 190 -- Earned his first Pro Bowl bid in his ninth season, all with the Rams. Nobody suffered through more of the Rams' futility than Lyght, the fifth overall pick in the 1991 draft. ... Led the Rams with a career-high six interceptions, including one touchdown. ... Has started 96 straight games, longest current streak with the team, and has 29 career interceptions. RCB Dexter McCleon, 26, 5-10, 195 -- Moved in as the starting right corner when the team elected not to retain Ryan McNeil. Held up fairly well, intercepting four passes. Dre' Bly also saw time at right corner. ... A second-round pick in 1997. SS Billy Jenkins, 25, 5-10, 205 -- Made the team as an undrafted free agent in 1997 and unseated Toby Wright as the starting strong safety in 1998. ... Outstanding in run support, Jenkins is a major reason why St. Louis ranked first in the NFL in run defense. ... Led the team with a career-high 121 tackles in 1998. FS Devin Bush, 26, 6-0, 210 -- Played last January with the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. Signed with the Rams a month later as an unrestricted free agent. ... Moved in as a starter at free safety when Keith Lyle suffered an injury midway through the season. ... A first-round pick in 1995, Bush had a career-high 105 tackles in 1997. KICKING GAME K Jeff Wilkins, 27, 6-2, 205 -- Signed with St. Louis as a restricted free agent after playing two years with the San Francisco 49ers. ... Converted 20-of-28 field goals, hitting 12-of-13 from inside 39 yards. ... Playing with patellar tendinitis in his non-kicking leg. P Mike Horan, 40, 5-11, 192 --- Signed by the Rams as an unrestricted free agent and completed his 17th season after being released by the Chicago Bears following the 1998 season. Also spent 1997 with St. Louis after spending four years with the New York Giants. ... The directional kicker took over for Rick Tuten in St. Louis and was called on to punt 26 times in the Rams' high-powered offense. He had a 40.3 gross and 35.6 net average. |
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