We were flipping through the channels the other night and came across the replay of the 2002 Super Bowl between the St. Louis Rams and the New England Patriots.  As we were watching, something occurred to us: could the those Rams be the same as these Patriots?  And could those 2002 Patriots be the same as these 2008 Giants?  Perhaps.

Let’s look at the numbers…

The 2002 Rams were a 14-point favorite over the Patriots, with the total points set at 54.  The 2008 Patriots are 12-point favorite over the Giants, with the total points set at 54.

The 2002 Pats lost their first two games of the season, then finished the regular season at 11-5.  The 2008 Giants lost their first two games of the regular season, then finished at 10-6.

The 2002 Pats won a crucial playoff game over the Raiders in blizzard-like conditions.  The 2008 Giants got to the Super Bowl by defeating the Packers in temperature below zero.

The 2002 Rams led the NFL in points scored, total yards, and passing yards.  The 2008 Patriots led the NFL in points scored, total yards, and passing yards.

The 2002 Rams were led by league MVP Kurt Warner, their quarterback.  The 2008 Patriots are led by league MVP Tom Brady, their quarterback.

The 2002 Rams’ qb Kurt Warner was an outspoken born-again Christian, who was happily married to the mother of his 5 children (plus the two of hers from a former marriage that he officially adopted).  The 2008 Patriots qb Tom Brady is, er, moving on…

The 2002 Warner threw for 4,830 yards and led the league in passer rating.  The 2008 Tom Brady threw for 4,806 yards and led the league in passer rating.

The 2002 Patriots threw for 193 yards per game and scored a total of 371 points.  The 2008 Giants have thrown for 197 yards per game and scored a total of 373 points.

The 2002 Rams defense ranked 7th in the NFL, giving up 190 passing yards per game.  The 2008 Patriots defense is ranked 4th in the NFL, giving up 193 passing yards per game.

The 2002 Rams intercepted 21 passes and had 45 sacks.  The 2008 Pats tallied 19 interceptions and 47 sacks.

Well, enough of that.  All we’re saying is that if you are cheering for the Giants, then this might give you some hope of the upset.  After all, it’s been done before.