New England Patriots: Looking Back at the 2001-02 Team 10 Years on

As 2011 draws to a close, I take a look at the top teams of a decade ago. After looking at the Detroit Red Wings here, we move east for the second article of this series looking at the 2002 Superbowl winners, the New England Patriots.

The Pats team of 2001-01 had been a transitional team. Bill Belichick's first season as head coach ended with a 5-11 record that earned them last place in the AFC East.

After 2000, no-one was expecting too much, however, a forgettable season does have the silver lining of an early draft pick. New England drafted defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who would go on to be a star for the Pats. They also drafted long-term starter and pro-bowler Matt Light with their second round pick.

The team had a shaky start to the season, losing on the road to the Bengals by six. Then, in their next game against the Jets, quarterback Drew Bledsoe was hit hard by Mo Lewis, sending him to the hospital with internal bleeding in his chest.

Without Bledsoe and with an 0-2 record, 2001 looked like another year to forget for Pats fans. Added to this was the absence of top receiver Terry Glenn, whose lack of discipline would cause Belichick to deactivate him.

The Patriots showed some steel in a blowout of Peyton Manning's Colts in week three. New England's defense refused to let Indianapolis settle, forcing Manning to throw two picks that were returned for touchdowns.

After losing to the Dolphins, the Patriots went on to face San Diego with a 1-3 record. In an overtime win that really turned their season around, backup quarterback Tom Brady would show glimpses of the star QB he would go on to be.

A series of special teams mistakes put the Pats down by 10 with the clock running down. Brady led the offense down the field for Adam Vinatieri to land a 23-yard field goal. Then, with a minute remaining, Brady threw the game-tying throw to Jermaine Wiggins. Vinatieri then secured the win with a 44-yard field goal in overtime.

Another demolition of the beleaguered Colts followed, as did wins over the Falcons and the Bills. A loss against Denver put the Patriots at 5-4 going into their week 10 game against Kurt Warner's Rams. Warner was able to capitalize on a New England fumble, with the Patriots defense unable to get to him.

The Rams would go on to win 24-17 to put the Patriots at 5-5. At this point, New England looked like a solid team who could go to the playoffs but not much beyond that.

Belichick's faith in Brady showed in week 11, when the returning Drew Bledsoe stayed on the sidelines with Brady starting. Brady repaid the faith by throwing four touchdowns en route to a 34-17 win over the Saints.

From here, the Patriots would stun the league by winning out in their last six games. The team showed their mettle by grinding out wins over the Jets after being down 13-0 at halftime. Then the Bills (in a game that Vinatieri again starred in), kicking four field goals including the winning overtime kick.

By avenging their earlier loss to the Dolphins in the final game of the season, the Patriots secured the top spot in the AFC East and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

The first game of the post-season promised to be an emotional one for New England fans, as they said goodbye to Foxboro Stadium. New England gave the ground the send-off it deserved, beating the Raiders 16-13 in heavy snow.

Brady once again starred, with the Patriots relying almost exclusively on the pass. Vinatieri again scored the points that sent the game into overtime, and then the points that won the game.

Both men were overshadowed, however, by the use of the "tuck rule." When Brady fumbled after being taken down by Charles Woodson, Oakland recovered. However, as Brady's arm was judged to be moving forward, the play was ruled an incomplete pass. This allowed the unfavored Patriots to go to the AFC championship game against the Steelers.

In a twist of fate, Brady was taken out of the game with an ankle injury and Drew Bledsoe was required to replace his own replacement in the second quarter. Blesdoe slotted straight back into the offense, throwing an 11-yard touchdown to Patten to put the Pats up 14-3. New England held off Pittsburgh with some excellent defense, ending the game 24-17.

Superbowl XXXVI put the Patriots up against their regular season conquerors, the St Louis Rams.

After a cagey start, a huge Jeff Wilkins field goal put the Rams up at the end of the first quarter. In the second, an interception by Ty Law and a successful drive from the now-fit Brady put New England up 14-3 by halftime.

The Rams were not used to being in this position, and seemed rattled as they came out for the second half. first-round draft pick Richard Seymour sacked Warner, who appeared rushed in the following plays.

Warner would re-find his form after being bailed out of a fourth down fumble due to a Willie McGinest holding foul. With Warner now rolling, the Rams got the score back to 17-17. In their last drive, Brady managed to get the ball down to the 30 yard line, leaving Vinatieri with a 48-yard field goal attempt to win the Patriots their first Superbowl.

With Patriot fans fingernails chewed down to the quick, Vinatieri held his nerve and scored, winning possibly the most thrilling finish to a Superbowl ever seen.

The Cinderella story had its happy ending and a new star quarterback was born. It was a truly unforgettable season.