Super Bowl XXXVIII Champions: New England Patriots

Storyline: In 2001, the New England Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI in the biggest Super Bowl upset in more than thirty years. When the 2003 season began with their prized free-agent acquisition of the summer injured for the year, the release of their defensive captain, and a humbling 31-0 loss to division rival Buffalo Bills, no one believed a second championship was possible. Except for the Patriots.