play-by-play:
USATODAY.com - Super Bowl XXXVI play-by-play
1 redzone possession for StL, 1 TD.
All 3rd down stops by NE for the entire game:
3rd and 18 from the SL 49: K.Warner pass to M.Faulk to NE 40 for 11 yards. Punt.
3rd and 3 from the NE 32: K.Warner pass incomplete to R. Proehl. made FG
3rd and 5 from the NE 34: K.Warner pass incomplete to A.Hakim. FG missed.
3rd and 1 from the 50: K.Warner pass incomplete to R.Proehl. Punt
3rd and 17 from the NE 48: K.Warner pass incomplete. Punt
3rd and 5 from the NE 45: K.Warner pass intended for T.Holt INTERCEPTED by O.Smith at NE 37. O.Smith to SL 33 for 30 yards.
3rd and 20 from the NE 49: K.Warner pass incomplete to T.Holt (O.Smith)
summary:
one 3rd down stopped by INT
three stopped, as expected, on 3rd and 17 or more yards
two stopped on 3rd and 5 attempts (a distance that favors the D)
So it would seem that the two 3rd and short incompletions to Proehl were really the Rams only really good 3rd down shots at keeping a drive alive. Making two stops is cheating. OK. Or maybe you can run it on 3rd and 1 from midfield, you pansy.