Home > Super Bowl XXXVII

Super Bowl XXXVII was played on January 26, 2003, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, home of the host team, San Diego Chargers (who failed to make the playoffs that season).

1 Before the game

Playoffs

• Wild Card Round:
  • 1/4/2003: AFC: New York Jets 41, Indianapolis Colts 0

The Jets squeaked into the playoffs on the last week of the regular season. New York QB Chad Pennington, making his playoff debut, threw three touchdowns. His counterpart on the Colts, Peyton Manning, was not as spectacular, completing less than half his passes and throwing two interceptions.

• • 1/4/2003: NFC: Atlanta Falcons 27, Green Bay PackersNote: Basketball teams from Chicago and Anderson once used the name Packers as well. The Green Bay Packers are a National Football League team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Founded 1919. Joined the NFL in 1921. Formerly known as Home stadium Lambeau Fiel 7

The Packers lost at home for the first time in playoff history as Atlanta QB Michael VickMichael Vick (born June 26, 1980 in Newport News, Virginia) is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise. Vick played college football for Virginia Tech and as a red-shirted freshman led the Hokies to the 2000 Bowl Championshi continued his hot streak. The Falcons also blocked a punt that was recovered for a touchdown and caused five turnovers.

• • 1/5/2003: AFC: Pittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a National Football League team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded 1933. Formerly Known as Pittsburgh Pirates (1933-1940) Home stadium Heinz Field Uniform colors Black and gold Helmet design Solid black on the left side 36, Cleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a National Football League team based in Cleveland, Ohio. In some accounts there is confusion over the history of the Cleveland Browns. This is due to the unusual and unprecedented actions taken by the city of Cleveland and the Na 33

The Steelers, behind journeyman quarterback Tommy MaddoxTommy Maddox (born September 2, 1971) is a professional American football player who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played collegiately at quarterback at UCLA, where he was well-regarded, but apparently was ill-advised in attempting to tu, exploded for 22 fourth-quarter points as the Browns suffered one of their famous playoff collapses. A 3-yard touchdown run by Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala with 54 seconds left capped the game-winning 58 yard drive.

• • 1/5/2003: NFC: San Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a National Football League team that play in San Francisco, California. The team's headquarters and practice facility are in Santa Clara, California. Founded 1946, as part of the All-America Football Conference; joined the NFL 39, New York GiantsThe New York Giants are a National Football League team originating in New York City, but currently based in New Jersey. For the major league baseball team once known as the New York Giants see San Francisco Giants. For the short-lived 1921 team, see Bric 38

The Steelers' comeback earlier in the day was matched by San Francisco's similar late drive. Down 38-14 in the third quarter, the 49ers' offense led by Jeff GarciaJeff Garcia (born February 24, 1970) is a Canadian football and American football quarterback. Born in Gilroy, California, Jeff played college football at San Jose State University, and started his professional career as a backup to Doug Flutie with the C fired up, with Tai Streets scoring what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with one minute left. The Giants still had a chance, though, but a botched snap by Trey Junkin on the final play resulted in a field goal attempt turning into a feeble pass play. After the Giants were penalized for having an illegal man downfield on the play, the game ended. But it was revealed the following day that he had checked in as an eligible receiver, and that the Giants should have gotten another chance to win.

• • byes: AFC: Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans; NFC: Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Divisional Round:
  • 1/11/2003: AFC: Tennessee Titans 34, Pittsburgh Steelers 31 (OT)

The third time was the charm for Titans kicker Joe Nedney . After missing the a potential game-winning field goal at the end of regulation time, and a second failed kick in overtime was negated because of a roughing-the-kicker penalty on Pittsburgh's Dewayne Washington , Nedney won the game from 26 yards out 2:15 into overtime. Steelers coach Bill Cowher was incensed, saying he called a timeout before the winning kick took place. Earlier in the game, the Titans went out to an early 14-0 lead before three turnovers led to Pittsburgh scores, making it 20-14. Two Tennessee touchdowns made it 28-20 by the end of the third quarter, but a 21-yard Hines Ward touchdown and subsequent 2-point conversion tied the game at 28. The teams traded late 4th-quarter field goals to send the game into OT.

• • 1/11/2003: NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Atlanta Falcons 6

The hyped quarterback duel between Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick never materialized, as the Eagles' defense sacked Vick three times and picked him off twice, with Bobby Taylor returning one of those interceptions for a touchdown. A 20-yard touchdown run by Vick in the 3rd quarter was called back for a holding penalty.

• • 1/12/2003: NFC: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, San Francisco 49ers 6

Tampa QB Brad Johnson , sidelined for a month, returned to throw for 196 yards, two touchdowns and one early interception, as the league's top-ranked defense in 2002 forced five turnovers. San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia was sacked four times as the 49ers would not get into the end zone all day. Fullback Mike Alstott scored two touchdowns for the Bucs. It would be the last post-season appearance for the 49ers to date.

• • 1/12/2003: AFC: Oakland Raiders 30, New York Jets 10

Chad Pennington's dream season came to an end as the New York quarterback threw two interceptions and was sacked four times. The Raiders' Rich Gannon threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns as Oakland pulled away from a 10-10 halftime tie to score 20 unanswered second half points.

• Conference Championships:
  • 1/19/2003: NFC: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10

Tampa Bay won on the road for the first time in playoff history as they advanced to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. Eagles' running back Duce Staley opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown less than a minute into the game, but the Bucs took over from there. Mike Alstott put Tampa in the lead for good with a touchdown late in the first quarter. The Eagles fumbled twice in the second quarter, and Keyshawn Johnson put the Bucs in the end zone again by halftime. Ronde Barber capped off the win with a 92-yard fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown.

• • 1/19/2003: AFC: Oakland Raiders 41, Tennessee Titans 24

The Raiders made it to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1984, when they were based in Los Angeles. Rich Gannon, the league's MVP in 2002, threw three touchdowns and ran in himself for another one. Wide receiver Jerry Porter scored first four minutes into the game for Oakland, but the Titans countered with a 33-yard TD pass from Steve McNair to Drew Bennett tied it up five minutes later. The Raiders went in the lead to stay when Charlie Garner caught another touchdown pass late in the first quarter. All but abandoning the run for the first three quarters, Oakland scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns on the ground to seal the victory.