KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There were some significant differences the last time the Patriots played the Rams in a Super Bowl.
For one, the Rams were St. Louis’ in February 2002, given the solid, rock-ribbed Midwestern fan base that came standard with the address. For another, Tom Brady hadn’t yet begun hoarding Super Bowl titles like a survivalist does potted meat.
But in one important way, nothing is different. Brady at 24, in winning his first Super Bowl, was just as clutch as the 41-year-old Brady who shepherded New England through the maze of fourth-quarter lead changes in Sunday’s AFC Championship then onto an overtime touchdown drive and the Super Bowl in Atlanta.