Super Bowl XXXIV
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| Super Bowl XXXIV | |
|---|---|
| Game name | Super Bowl XXXIV |
| Visitor | St. Louis Rams |
| Home | Tennessee Titans |
| Visitor abbr | STL |
| Home abbr | TEN |
| Visitor conference | National Football Conference |
| Home conference | American Football Conference |
| Visitor score | 23 |
| Home score | 16 |
| Date | January 30, 2000 |
| Stadium | Georgia Dome |
| City | Atlanta |
| Attendance | 72,625 |
| Mvp | Kurt Warner |
| Odds | Rams by 7 |
| Anthem | Faith Hill |
| Halftime | Phil Collins; Christina Aguilera; Enrique Iglesias; Toni Braxton |
| Network | ABC |
Super Bowl XXXIV Super Bowl XXXIV was the championship game of the National Football League's 1999 season, played on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The matchup featured the St. Louis Rams of the National Football Conference and the Tennessee Titans of the American Football Conference. The Rams won 23–16, capped by a last-second tackle by Mike Jones on Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line, preserving the Rams' victory and securing their first Super Bowl title.
Background and season summaries
The Rams entered the postseason after a dramatic turnaround under head coach Dick Vermeil, who had previously coached Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. The team's offense was orchestrated by quarterback Kurt Warner, an MVP candidate who had risen from Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League and the Green Bay Packers practice squad; Warner's receivers included Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. The Rams' offense became known as "The Greatest Show on Turf," featuring offensive coordinator Mike Martz's schemes and featuring running back Marshall Faulk, a dual-threat back who had won multiple Pro Bowl selections and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.
The Titans, coached by Jeff Fisher, reached the Super Bowl after a wild-card run led by running back Eddie George and quarterback Steve McNair, who shared AP Offensive Player of the Year consideration. Tennessee's postseason included the famous "Music City Miracle" in the 1999 playoffs against the Buffalo Bills, a play involving a lateral to Kevin Dyson and kickoff returner Frank Wycheck; the Titans then defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game. The matchup was framed as a clash between the Rams' high-powered offense and the Titans' disciplined, physical approach.
Host selection and pregame events
The NFL awarded hosting rights to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta as part of a rotation among metropolitan venues that had previously hosted events like the NCAA Final Four and the Olympic Games related activities. Pre-game events included the NFL Experience, a fan festival featuring appearances by former players such as Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, and Lawrence Taylor, and media coverage from ESPN and ABC broadcasters including Al Michaels and Boomer Esiason. The national anthem was performed by Faith Hill, and halftime featured a pop spectacle headlined by Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, and Toni Braxton, drawing commentary from critics who compared the show to previous halftime performances by Michael Jackson and Madonna.
Security preparations involved coordination with the National Football League security staff, the Atlanta Police Department, and stadium officials; corporate sponsors such as PepsiCo and Visa Inc. activated marketing campaigns. The week featured press conferences with Rams figures like Dick Vermeil and Kurt Warner and Titans figures like Jeff Fisher and Steve McNair.
Game summary
The contest unfolded with the Rams implementing Martz's passing concepts, with Warner connecting on critical completions to Bruce and Holt while Faulk contributed on the ground and as a receiver. The Titans' McNair responded with his improvisational skills, utilizing play-action and bootlegs to target receivers such as Kevin Dyson and Yancey Thigpen. Key defensive personnel included Rams defenders Grant Wistrom and Aeneas Williams, and Titans contributors like Jevon Kearse and Samari Rolle.
In the first half, the Rams built a lead through a combination of field goals by kicker Jeff Wilkins and a touchdown drive featuring Faulk. Warner's command earned him Super Bowl MVP honors after passing for multiple touchdowns and compiling efficient yardage. The Titans rallied in the fourth quarter with a long drive culminating in a touchdown reception by Eddie George or short-yardage reclaiming plays; trailing late, Tennessee executed a drive orchestrated by McNair that produced a touchdown pass to Kevin Dyson with six seconds remaining. The final play, a dramatic tackle by Rams linebacker Mike Jones on Dyson at the one-yard line, prevented a potential game-tying score.
Scoring summary and statistics
Scoring plays included a combination of field goals by Jeff Wilkins and touchdown receptions by Rams receivers such as Isaac Bruce, complemented by Titans scoring contributions from Eddie George and Kevin Dyson. Team statistics reflected the Rams' offensive balance, with Warner's passing yards outpacing McNair's totals while Faulk's rushing and receiving yards highlighted his all-purpose value. The Rams converted on key third-down situations and sustained drives, whereas the Titans relied on time-consuming drives led by McNair and George.
Individual statistics of note: Kurt Warner threw for multiple touchdowns and was named Super Bowl MVP; Marshall Faulk recorded significant all-purpose yards contributing both on the ground and through the air; Kevin Dyson made the game-saving final reception but was halted inches short of the goal line. Defensively, Rams players registered crucial tackles and sacks, and Titans defenders pressured Warner intermittently, including efforts from Jevon Kearse.
Aftermath and legacy
The Rams' victory cemented the legacy of "The Greatest Show on Turf" era and elevated Warner from obscurity to household name, leading to future honors including Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration for multiple participants such as Warner and Faulk. The Titans' near-miss became an enduring moment in NFL lore, often replayed in highlight packages alongside other famous endings like the Immaculate Reception and the Helmet Catch. Coaching reputations shifted: Vermeil's comeback narrative and Martz's offensive influence were widely discussed in analytical coverage by outlets like Sports Illustrated and The New York Times.
Subsequent seasons saw personnel moves involving players such as Marshall Faulk and changes in coaching staffs across the league; the game's historic finish influenced rule interpretations and strategic approaches to end-of-game scenarios employed by teams including the St. Louis Rams organization and the Tennessee Titans franchise. The matchup remains a frequently cited chapter in retrospectives on the 1990s NFL and is preserved in archival collections at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and media repositories.