Photo Credit: Boston Globe

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, February 3rd, 2002, the New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI to win the 82nd championship in NFL history. It was the first championship for the Patriots franchise as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady won the Super Bowl MVP Award. The game was held at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Rams quarterback Kurt Warner won the 2001 MVP Award with 36 passing touchdowns and 4,830 passing yards. New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan won the 2001 Defensive Player of the Year Award with 22 and a half sacks and six forced fumbles.

Out of Playoffs: Seattle Seahawks (9-7), Washington Redskins (8-8), Denver Broncos (8-8), Cleveland Browns (7-9), Tennessee Titans (7-9), New Orleans Saints (7-9), Atlanta Falcons (7-9), New York Giants (7-9), Arizona Cardinals (7-9), Indianapolis Colts (6-10), Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10), Cincinnati Bengals (6-10), Kansas City Chiefs (6-10), Minnesota Vikings (5-11), San Diego Chargers (5-11), Dallas Cowboys (5-11), Buffalo Bills (3-13), Detroit Lions (2-14), Carolina Panthers (1-15)

Out in first round: Miami Dolphins (L 20-3 to Ravens), San Francisco 49ers (L 25-15 to Packers), New York Jets (L 38-24 to Raiders), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L 31-9 to Eagles)

Out in second round: Chicago Bears (L 33-19 to Eagles), Oakland Raiders (L 16-13 (OT) to Patriots), Green Bay Packers (L 45-17 to Rams), Baltimore Ravens (L 27-10 to Steelers)

Out in third round: Pittsburgh Steelers (L 24-17 to Patriots), Philadelphia Eagles (L 29-24 to Rams)

Most passing touchdowns: #13 Kurt Warner (Rams)- 36 TD

Most rushing touchdowns: #37 Shaun Alexander (Seahawks)- 14 TD

Most receiving touchdowns: #81 Terrell Owens (49ers)- 16 TD

Most sacks: #92 Michael Strahan (Giants)- 22.5 sacks

Most forced fumbles: #94 John Abraham (Jets)- 6 FF & 3 fumble recoveries

Most interceptions: #37 Anthony Henry (Browns)- 10 INT, 1 TD & 177 yds

Best field goal percentage (min. 12 attempts): #10 Olindo Mare (Dolphins)- 19 for 21, 90.5%

Scoring Summary

Link to stats database: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/

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