Super Bowl XXXVI Preview

New England vs. St. Louis
Sunday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m. Eastern, Fox
We all expected the Rams to be in New Orleans. They’re the Greatest Show on Earth, an offensive juggernaut so potent that they possess in Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner two viable MVP candidates (Warner won in a squeaker). Their defense is much-improved, thanks in large part to Pro Bowl cornerback Aeneas Williams, who is finally earning a well-deserved moment in the sun after laboring in obscurity in the desert for so long. The Patriots, on the other hand, have moved from AFC East laughingstock to early-season novelty to AFC champion, and they’ve done it with a unique chemistry that blends a stout, opportunistic defense with a balanced offense. On paper, it’s a mismatch. The Rams have too many weapons, they beat the Pats in the regular season and they were certainly jarred out of any complacency with their tight win over the Eagles. Don’t be too quick to cancel that Super Bowl party, though; coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots have taken on a Team of Destiny quality with their unlikely win — some would say gift — against the Raiders and their unexpected win in Pittsburgh. The most intriguing storyline may be this: Who does Belichick start at quarterback? The Cinderella Pro Bowler Tom Brady, or wily veteran Drew Bledsoe, who delivered the win in Pittsburgh?

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