NFL: Reborn Rams out to take London by storm

Sunday 28 October 2012

NEW England Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVI victory a decade ago over a mighty St Louis Rams team dubbed "The Greatest Show on Turf" was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the NFL's showpiece game.

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Ian Parker

The result marked a power shift as the Patriots went on to win two more Super Bowls and have reached the play-offs in eight of the last 10 seasons, while the Rams sneaked into the play-offs just twice more before everything unravelled for them.

The meeting between the teams at Wembley today is their third since that famous night in New Orleans, and finds them as evenly matched as they have ever been since 2002.This season, the Patriots have stumbled to a 4-3 record while the Rams see cause for hope in their 3-4 mark. It is exactly the kind of match-up the Wembley series needs in its sixth year.The novelty value has gone, and fans need something more to keep them engaged.From next year, they will have annual visits from the Jacksonville Jaguars to look forward to. That role was supposed to belong to the Rams, owned by Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, but they withdrew from the deal.One visit will have to do, but it is well-timed as the Rams begin their rebirth. "This is an opportunity for us to spread the word," said coach Jeff Fisher. "As I like to say, the Rams are back."The Patriots do not need a revival. They are just trying to see how long they can keep going at their current level. At 35, star quarterback Tom Brady's best days might be behind him, but he remains as driven as ever.Indeed, veteran coach Bill Belichick, 60, insists: "He continues to improve. Each week is a different challenge for him. He's very diligent, always looking for the little things that may prove an edge."For Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, 11 years Brady's junior, his rival remains a role model. "He's been playing at a high level for a long time and any time you turn on the tape and watch him, it's very evident he's in total control," Bradford said.If Brady's work ethic is admirable, it pales in comparison to that of his coach. Belichick borders on the obsessive, even though he has occasionally crossed the line: 2007's "Spygate" scandal involving Patriots assistants illegally taping practice sessions of other teams will remain a stain on his legacy.Brady said: "He's the only coach I've ever played for and the only coach I ever want to play for. Nobody works harder and what he brings in terms of preparation every single week, his commitment to the team, is exceptional."The rewards have been an exceptional record of success and a surefire place in the Hall of Fame one day. But nothing lasts forever, certainly not in the NFL.The Rams have not beaten the Patriots since before Super Bowl XXXVI. If they can change that today, perhaps this will come to be seen as a game where power changed hands once more.

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NFL: Reborn Rams out to take London by storm

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