| | Pats: Team of destiny or sacrificial lamb?
Even before the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI, New England fans talked about this being a team of destiny.
First, they pointed to the fact that their $100 million quarterback Drew Bledsoe goes down in Week 2, but is replaced by second-year pro Tom Brady, who went on to have a Pro Bowl season.
Next, New England not only need a season-ending win over Carolina but a Raiders home loss to the Jets in order to clinch a first-round AFC playoff bye -- it happened. Then, against those same Raiders, the Patriots benefited from a controversial call that helped them pull off the most stunning come-from-behind victory in franchise history.
And finally, against pretty big odds, the Pats waltzed into Ketchup, er, Heinz Field and upset the Steelers. All this has Pats fans believing this if finally the year, after two previous tries in New Orleans, that they get to celebrate a Super Bowl championship.
But in St. Louis, they believe in a different destiny. The Rams went into the season as the NFC favorites and won 16 of 18 games to earn their second Super Bowl trip in three seasons.
ESPN.com wants your feedback on the game. Is this the year of the Pats? Can they repeat their near perfect game against the Steelers and pull off another upset? Or are they simply sacrificial lambs for St. Louis?
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SB XXXVI Over/Under
