Second Quarter

Scoring: New England 7, St. Louis 3: Ty Law, 47-yard interception return at 8:49. PAT--Adam Vinatieri (kick).

New England 14, St. Louis 3: David Patten, eight-yard reception from Tom Brady at 0:31. PAT--Vinatieri (kick).

Impact player: Again, Law and the Patriot defense. They forced two turnovers, Law returning one for a touchdown. The Rams looked like the team that didn’t belong in the game as the Patriots shut down the offense with little problem.

Missed opportunity: The Rams still couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. They seemed to panic on offense, as if they were just throwing every play they had against the wall, hoping something would stick. Nothing did. The Patriots refused to be introduced individually before the game, wanting to come out as a team, and they went into halftime as the best team.

Did you notice? The Patriots led, 14-3, despite a shaky performance by Tom Brady, who played more like Cousin Oliver than a true Brady. C’mon Fox, where are the shots of Drew Bledsoe on the sideline, champing at the bit to get in the game? Where is the drama? The controversy? You’re Fox for goodness sake, the same network that shows wild police videos and kids breaking their arms while skateboarding. And you can’t get us a picture of Bledsoe?

Best number: Patriot running back Antowain Smith rushed for 41 yards in the first half, only three fewer than Marshall Faulk. New England actually had more rushing yards in the first half, and slowly began to dominate the game. Warner passed for 136 yards, Brady only 67, but Warner threw the only interception.

Worst number: The Rams turned the ball over twice, and both led to touchdowns for the Patriots.

Houston Mitchell