About this episode
Steven Ruiz (The Ringer) and host Thomas Emerick consider whether this Super Bowl is a more proper analog for LX than the previous Patriots-Seahawks title matchup. They also examine how this finale to the 2003-2004 NFL season not only showcases the early 2000s brand of winning football, but also in fits and starts manages to tear a portal into the post-2004 game. This is Remember That Game, the podcast about sporting events that take you on a journey. Check it out on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Also check out Steven Ruiz's work at The Ringer: https://www.theringer.com/creator/steven-ruizRanking all 50 Super Bowl QB performances of the 21st century https://www.theringer.com/2026/02/03/nfl/ranking-super-bowl-quarterback-performances-tom-brady-patrick-mahomesAnd follow the Remember That Game show Insta! https://www.instagram.com/rememberthatgamepodcast/More episode threads: Super Bowl XXXVIII Box Score: New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29 (Pro Football Reference)Is this Super Bowl a more proper analog for LX than the previous Patriots-Seahawks SB?I’ll reference the Panthers-Rams ‘03 game we did and whether it was just house money for you at that point as a fan coming from 1-15Belichick-Milloy break-up on even of season and losing 31-0 to Buffalo Week 1Then cap regular season 31-0. Weirdest Week 1 result for any SB team in recent memory?Is the 2003 NFL meta on the march, and is that part of why we’re getting a Super Bowl LX matchup of teams that went from missing playoffs to the Super Bowl for the first time in 22 years?Is that also why it kept happening in that era (Rams-Titans, Giants-Ravens so 3 of the 6 to ever happen) or could the dramatic upward and downward mobility of teams in that era be attributed to other things?Defenses striking back in a manner similar to 2000-2003 stretch? 3 of top 5 all-time units in ppg w/ 2000 BAL, 2000 TEN, and 2002 TBWas there a distinct moment in your memory where you remember feeling cooked, and conversely when you believed the Panthers could pull it off?Is there a little Delhomme in Darnold?And what to make of the quarterbacks famous for melting down. How much is it just being high-variance or streaky, or having weaknesses that some teams are equipped to hammer. Opposed to purely the mental that they’re cooked for the day: Delhomme nears halftime 1/9 for 1 yd with sack fumble yet pulls out of the tail dive.John Fox and Dan Henning must establish the run and stop the run as a life philosophy….but little room for Stephen Davis early. They do keep with it and spring one on the last offensive play in the half to reach FG range. 14-10. Nowadays how much is the meta shifting back to size, defense, and run game…. i
