The New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI. The game marked the first time that a Super Bowl was not held in the month of January. The game was held on February 3, 2002, because the season was pushed back one week due to the September 11th Terrorist Attacks. The game featured a moving halftime tribute to those that lost their lives as a large, continuously scrolling banner with the names of all victims. This occurred while the rock group U2 performed "Where the Streets Have No Name". Also in tribute prior to the game, after the Rams starters were introduced individually, as had always been the case in Super Bowls, the Patriots were introduced as a team. The Rams were a heavy favorite, appearing in their second Super Bowl in three years, but the Patriots kept the game close. In the final minutes, game MVP Tom Brady led New England on a two-minute drill to put them in position to score. Placekicker Adam Vinatieri drilled a 48-yard field goal as time expired to give the Patriots their first Super Bowl title.

The Patriots surprising run to a championship began when unheralded backup quarterback Tom Brady took over the team following an injury to starter Drew Bledsoe. Brady led the team to an 11-5 record and the AFC East title. Then in the playoffs, it looked as though their season would end on a snowy night in Foxboro when Brady was hit late in the game by Oakland Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson, causing a fumble recovered by the Raiders. But the officials ruled that Brady was trying to tuck the ball back after a fake pass attempt, giving the ball back to New England. On the same drive, Vinatieri kicked a game-tying field goal that sent the contest into overtime, and they eventually won the game.