The 2001-02 NFL Playoffs:
NFC:
1. St. Louis Rams(14-2)
2. Chicago Bears(13-3)
3. Philadelphia Eagles(11-5)
4. Green Bay Packers(12-4)
5. San Francisco 49ers(12-4)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers(9-7)
Wild Card Round:
Philadelphia Eagles defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-9
Green Bay Packers defeat San Francisco 49ers 25-15
Divisional Round:
Philadelphia Eagles defeat Chicago Bears 33-19
St. Louis Rams defeat Green Bay Packers 45-17
Conference Championship:
St. Louis Rams defeat Philadelphia Eagles 29-24
AFC:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers(13-3)
2. Miami Dolphins(11-5)
3. Oakland Raiders(10-6)
4. New York Jets(11-5)
5. Baltimore Ravens(10-6)
6. Seattle Seahawks(9-7)
Wild Card Round:
Oakland Raiders defeat Seattle Seahawks 31-24
Baltimore Ravens defeat New York Jets 28-14
Broadcast from the Raiders-Dolphins divisional round game
“Well, that’s the two-minute warning Phil. Raiders leading 14-10 as the Dolphins start on their own 20.”
“Let’s see if Jay Fielder can recover from that Greg. If there’s one thing that last interception has taught us, it’s to never test Charles Woodson.”
“He might have to if he wants to win now.”
"Fiedler drops back, WOODSON IS BLITZING!!! THE BALL IS LOOSE!!! RECOVERED BY OAKLAND!!! THEY'RE GOING TO THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP!!!"
"Wait a second, the ref is running onto the field..."
NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2. When [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.
Cut to later in the game
“Third and 10, Dolphins at their own 40, Fielder fires it deep, CAUGHT BY CHRIS CHAMBERS AT THE RAIDERS 30!!!”
“Look at this play by Chambers. He makes a cut move here to throw Woodson off, then makes a difficult sideline catch while staying inbounds. The Dolphins have a good chance to win now.”
Cut to later in the game
“One second left, Dolphins at the goal line, the game will be decided here, Fielder takes the snap, SNEAKS IT UP THE MIDDLE!!! The ref looking at the play, signals...TOUCHDOWN!!! THE DOLPHINS ARE GOING TO THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP!!!”
"Honestly, Greg, I don't like that "tuck rule" call earlier. The game should have been over by then. What's to stop the quarterback from just making a throwing motion to stop a fumble?"
"Well, Phil, it's too late to change that now. I think the ref made the right call there."
Divisional Round:
Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Baltimore Ravens 27-10
Miami Dolphins defeat Oakland Raiders 17-14
Broadcast from the AFC Championship
4th quarter, 0:53
“Fielder takes his sixth sack of the game from Joey Porter. Things looking bleak for the Dolphins.”
“The Miami offense has been held down by some great play by Dick LeBeau’s defense. We’ll see how they do against the Greatest Show on Turf though.”
“4th and 10, Fielder looking to throw, no one open, chucks a Hail Mary, pass is broken up. The Steelers are going to the Super Bowl.”
Conference Championship:
Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Miami Dolphins 20-3
Super Bowl Discussion Roundtable
“Let me just make things clear. I don’t think that Kordell Stewart will be able to keep up with the Rams offense.”
“That’s where I think you’re wrong John. Remember the old saying that defense wins championships? I think we’ll see that hold true next Sunday.”
“But Pat, balance is what you need to win championships. The Rams have both the offense and the defense. Jerome Bettis is a good running back, to be sure, but he can’t carry the Steelers offense by itself.”
“John, I know they were your rivals in the ‘70s, but you’re selling the Steelers short.”
“I guess we shall find out.”
Broadcast from the Super Bowl
Halftime
“As I said earlier this week, Pat, Stewart is getting rattled by the Rams offense out there. Two picks already in the first half, including a pick six to Aeneas Williams. A running quarterback simply cannot win in the NFL.”
“There’s still another half left to play. The Steelers defense has prevented a big game from the likes of Warner, Faulk, Holt, and Bruce as well.”
4th quarter, 1:30
“And Kris Brown’s extra point ties up the game after Stewart’s deep throw to Hines Ward. Steelers have made an amazing comeback so far, rallying from a 24-3 deficit to tie the game 24-24 apiece.”
“At this point, I think the Rams should let this go for OT. Let Warner and Faulk do their thing. No need to play risks here.”
“And if the Steelers win the coin toss with their current momentum?”
“All that matters in the end is who scores more points.”
4th quarter, 0:30. Rams ball at midfield
“I don’t really like what the Rams are doing. A turnover here could ruin everything.”
“Warner drops back, dumps it off to Faulk, Faulk makes Holmes miss, he dodges another tackle from Townsend, HE’S GOT AN OPEN FIELD!!! Finally pushed out of bounds by Brent Alexander at the 20, and at this point Rams can run down the clock.”
“You know what? I like what the Rams are doing.”
4th quarter, 0:04
“Wilkins gets ready to kick, STRAIGHT UP THE MIDDLE!!! THE RAMS HAVE WON THEIR SECOND SUPER BOWL IN THREE YEARS!!!”
Super Bowl XXXVI
St. Louis Rams 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 24
Super Bowl MVP: Kurt Warner, quarterback