NFL History: Where do Patriots Rank in Greatest Moments?
29. Adam Vinatieri Beats Heavily-Favored Rams
This one may have ranked a bit higher if it were Patriots’ fans making the list, but Adam Vinatieri‘s Super Bowl winning kick over the St. Louis Rams comes in as the 29th most memorable moment in NFL history.
The Patriots were heavy underdogs in the game against the Rams, and very few actually gave them a chance to win. Later we learned to never count out Brady and Belichick, but at this time nobody could have possibly known what they would become. Brady’s last second drive was miraculous, and Vinatieri’s 48-yard kick as time expired is a memory that no Patriots’ fan will ever forget.
This was the beginning of the dynasty and an obvious inclusion to the list. Here is what they had to say about the moment:
"This might be hard for some to believe, there was a time where the New England Patriots were the underdog, even in a Super Bowl. That evening was Super Bowl XXXVI following the 2001 season, and the moment when Adam Vinatieri became a household name across the country. Going into this game against the high-powered St. Louis Rams and the “Greatest Show on Turf,” not many gave the Patriots a chance. However, through a strong defensive effort and Tom Brady’s emergence, they were able to have the game tied at 17 with seven seconds left on the clock. Brady led them down the field, setting Vinatieri up for the 48-yard attempt to lift the Patriots to glory. Vinatieri put the kick through with time expiring and kick-started the eventual run New England would go on. The Patriots would miss the playoffs in 2002 before winning the next two Super Bowls. In 2006, Vinatieri won his fourth title with the Indianapolis Colts"
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