New England Patriots 2001 Season and Super Bowl XXXVI

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key players, coaches, critical games, rules, and milestones of the New England Patriots' 2001 championship season and Super Bowl XXXVI run.

Super Bowl XXXVI

The championship game played on February 3, 2002, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, in which the New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams 20–17.

"The Greatest Show on Turf"

The nickname for the high-powered St. Louis Rams team that entered Super Bowl XXXVI as 14-point favorites against the New England Patriots.

Bill Belichick

The head coach of the New England Patriots who led the franchise to its first Super Bowl title in his second season with the team.

Drew Bledsoe

The Patriots' franchise quarterback (#11) who signed a 10-year, $103M contract extension before the 2001 season, suffered a sheared blood vessel in his chest in Week 2, and returned to throw a crucial touchdown pass in the AFC Championship Game.

Tom Brady

The second-year quarterback (#12) drafted 199th overall in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft from Michigan who replaced Drew Bledsoe, led the team to an 11–5 regular-season record, and earned Super Bowl XXXVI MVP honors.

Mo Lewis

The New York Jets linebacker whose hit on Drew Bledsoe during Week 2 caused a sheared blood vessel in Bledsoe's chest, propelling Tom Brady into the starting role.

Antowain Smith

The Patriots' running back (#32) who anchored the rushing attack during the 2001 season with 1,157 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

Troy Brown

The Patriots' Pro Bowl wide receiver, punt returner, and emergency defensive back (#80) who led the team with 101 receptions, 1,199 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

David Patten

A Patriots wide receiver (#86) who recorded 51 receptions for 759 yards and achieved the rare feat of scoring passing, rushing, and receiving touchdowns in a single game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Jermaine Wiggins

The Patriots' tight end (#85) who served as a key postseason target, notably catching 10 passes in the AFC Divisional Round ("Snow Bowl").

Mike Vrabel

A linebacker (#50) signed as a free agent from Pittsburgh who contributed on defense and goal-line packages, and made a key block on Kurt Warner during Ty Law's Super Bowl interception return.

Ty Law

A Patriots Pro Bowl cornerback (#24) who intercepted St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Lawyer Milloy

The Patriots' hard-hitting starting safety (#36) who formed a Pro Bowl secondary tandem alongside cornerback Ty Law during the 2001 season.

Adam Vinatieri

The Patriots' kicker (#4) who kicked a game-tying 45-yard field goal in the snow, a 23-yard overtime game-winner against the Raiders, and a 48-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in Super Bowl XXXVI.

The Tuck Rule

NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Item 2, invoked by referee Walt Coleman to rule Tom Brady's apparent late-game fumble an incomplete pass against Oakland because his arm was moving forward.

Walt Coleman

The NFL referee who reviewed Tom Brady's fourth-quarter hit by Charles Woodson in the AFC Divisional Round and overturned the fumble call under the Tuck Rule.

"Snow Bowl" / "Tuck Rule Game"

The AFC Divisional Round playoff matchup on January 19, 2002, in which New England defeated the Oakland Raiders 16–13 in overtime behind a controversial replay reversal and two clutch Adam Vinatieri field goals.

2001 AFC Championship Game

A 24–17 road victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 27, 2002, in which Drew Bledsoe replaced an injured Tom Brady and Troy Brown scored on a punt return and recovered a blocked field goal.

Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVI Team Introduction

A historic pregame moment where the Patriots elected to be introduced collectively onto the field as a single unit rather than having individual starters announced, a first in Super Bowl history.

Week 6 vs. San Diego Chargers (2001)

A 29–26 overtime victory that marked Tom Brady's first career 300-yard passing game and his first fourth-quarter comeback.

Week 2: NY Jets

Lost 3-10, Bledsoe injured, Home Game

Week 3: Colts

Won 44-13, Brady’s first start

Week 11: vs Rams

Lost 24-17, Rams heavy favorites yet pats still kept it close

Week 17: vs Panthers

Won 38-6, capped of 6 game win streak