NOV. 18, 2001: Rams 24 – Patriots 17

ST. LOUIS – This is unprecedented. The Rams, following yesterday’s 29-24 victory over the Eagles in the NFC Championship game, knew they were headed to New Orleans to face the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Rams, though, do not know which New England quarterback they’ll be going up against.

Tom Brady started yesterday, but Drew Bledsoe finished up as the Pats upended the Steelers in the AFC title game. Which one starts on Sunday could be a question that lingers all week.

“I don’t care,” Rams LB London Fletcher said.

The Rams are familiar with Brady, as he was the starter back on Nov. 18 when the Rams beat the Patriots 24-17 at Foxboro Stadium. Brady tossed two interceptions and completed 19 of 27 passes for 185 yards in that game.

“Both of ’em [Brady and Bledsoe], regardless of who it is, they’ve proven they can win games and be very effective,” said Rams rookie safety Adam Archuleta. “It’s not like the backup is some dud who’s never played. Drew led the team, he’s the franchise guy, and the way Tom Brady’s been playing, it doesn’t matter, they’re both going to play good.”

Next up for the Rams and their can-you-top-this offense is Mr. Bill, as in Belichick, who knows a thing or two about foiling high-scoring attacks, although in the first meeting, Kurt Warner threw for 401 yards and two TDs and Marshall Faulk ran for 83 yards.

“Oh, Bill,” Rams coach and offensive mastermind Mike Martz said with a sigh. “We won’t get much sleep this week. They’re as well-rounded and well-coached in all three phases of the game as any team in the league.”

It figures the only way the underdog Patriots can win Super Bowl XXXVI is if Belichick figures out a way to shut down the Rams’ multi-faced offense.