St Louis Rams 23-16 Tennessee Titans

The St Louis Rams have won Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, defeating the Tennessee Titans 23-16 in one of the greatest championship games in the sport's history.

Quarterback Kurt Warner's 73-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce with 1 minute and 54 seconds left gave the Rams their first Super Bowl win.

The touchdown capped an improbable season for St Louis, who were 3-13 a year ago and 13-3 this season as they scored 526 points, third best in National Football League history.

Warner threw for 414 yards for the game, breaking Joe Montana's Superbowl record of 357.

"I always believed in myself, and had a whole bunch of people who believed in me," said Warner, after a victory lap around the Georgia Dome.

"We're the world champions! How about the Rams!"

Warner in control

The Rams dominated for most of the game, with Warner constantly driving his team into scoring range with passes to Bruce and rookie wide receiver Torry Holt.

Close to the goal-line, however, the Titans defense stiffened and at the half, St Louis led by only 9-0.

But with Tennessee unable to move the ball consistently, the game looked to be all but over when Warner hit Holt for a nine-yard touchdown with just under four minutes to go in the third quarter.

Titans quarterback Steve McNair and running back Eddie George then hit their stride as the St Louis defense seemed to tire. George ripped off several key runs, and when the Rams keyed on him, McNair had more time to find his receivers.

George scored with one-yard touchdown runs on the Titans' next two possessions and then kicker Al del Greco levelled the game with a 43-yard field goal with 2 minutes, 12 seconds left.

During that period of Tennessee domination, the Rams offense had all but disappeared, but Warner then connected with Bruce for the 73-yard bomb which proved to be the decisive score.

The excitement was not yet over, however.

Tense finish

Starting on his own 12-yard line, McNair drove his team downfield, helped by a couple of key penalties against the Rams.

With the clocked stopped at six seconds, the Titans were 10 yards away from levelling the scores.

McNair threw the ball to receiver Kevin Dyson, who cut in from the right and caught it in full stride on the five-yard line.

He looked certain to score, but St Louis linebacker Mike Jones wrapped him up in a textbook tackle. Dyson lunged forward, his outstretched arm reaching toward the goal-line in vain as time expired.

The Rams stormed the field in celebration. Dyson stayed put, prone, in despair.

And because Jones had held back Dyson, moments later he got to wrap his hands around the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Vindication

The Rams' victory was vindication for coach Dick Vermeil, who returned to coaching in 1997 after a 14-year absence.

He had lost his only other Super Bowl appearance, in 1981 with Philadelphia.

"To be able to bring this home to St Louis, such a wonderful city. I know they appreciate us a little more right now."