Super Bowl XXXVI handicapping column

By Keith Schleiden, Managing editor
Friday, Feb. 1, 2002

This is it. Only one football game that matters remains on this season’s schedule — the Super Bowl. And it’s set to kick off on Sunday.

The combatants have dealt with the hoopla and hype all week. But now, it’s just about "go" time.

If you have been listening to the multitudes of NFL personalities sounding off on the subject from New Orleans, you know that the Rams are the heavy favorite. In fact, the only person I’ve heard predict the Patriots to beat the Rams is Jerry Glanville. And we all know what to think of the stuff that comes out of his mouth.

The Rams have beaten the Patriots four times in a row, including 24-17 in Week 10. The Rams hold a lifetime record of 5-3 vs. the Patriots. While I suppose the Patriots could wind up winners in theory, you know and I know that in reality, it just ain’t gonna happen. The Rams will beat the Patriots for a fifth straight time.

But now we get to the pointspread stuff. The last time the Rams played in a Super Bowl, they wound up with a push. They had been favored to beat the Titans by seven, and St. Louis won 23-16. The last time the Patriots played in a Super Bowl, they too wound up with a push. They were 14-point dogs to the Packers, who wound up winning 35-21. So, are these teams destined to wind up with a push on Sunday? I don’t think so.

Will the Rams be able to cover the 14 points that the oddsmakers have spotted the Patriots? Here’s what I have to say to that: Is the Superdome a dome? Is Mike Martz an offensive genius? Is Bill Belichick a defensive genius? Is water wet?

The answer to all of those questions — including the one about the Rams covering — is a resounding "Yes!"

Schleiden’s pick: Rams 38-10

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