2003 Playoffs: Panthers-Rams and Pats-Titans

[7DnBrnc53]

Is it possible that these games signaled somewhat of a changing of the guard in the NFL?

From 1999-03, the Rams and Titans combined for three SB appearances and eight playoff appearances. Also, in the six years leading up to the 2003 season, Carolina hadn't made the playoffs, and while NE had that 2001 run, that was still looked on as somewhat of a fluke, especially since they didn't make the playoffs in 2002.

After Carolina and NE won on January 10, 2004, those franchises would go on to seven combined Super Bowls and 21 combined playoff appearances, while the Rams and Titans only have a combined three trips to the postseason since. Also, the Rams haven't had a winning season since that day, while the Titans have only had three.

[Jeremy Crowhurst]

Is it possible that these games signaled somewhat of a changing of the guard in the NFL?

From 1999-03, the Rams and Titans combined for three SB appearances and eight playoff appearances. Also, in the six years leading up to the 2003 season, Carolina hadn't made the playoffs, and while NE had that 2001 run, that was still looked on as somewhat of a fluke, especially since they didn't make the playoffs in 2002.

After Carolina and NE won on January 10, 2004, those franchises would go on to seven combined Super Bowls and 21 combined playoff appearances, while the Rams and Titans only have a combined three trips to the postseason since. Also, the Rams haven't had a winning season since that day, while the Titans have only had three.

I think for there to be a "changing of the guard", the team doing the changing has to end up being the guard. In the years following 2003, there are multiple NFC teams that had a better track record than the Panthers -- the Eagles, Giants, and especially the Packers being the most obvious.

[7DnBrnc53]

Is it possible that these games signaled somewhat of a changing of the guard in the NFL?

From 1999-03, the Rams and Titans combined for three SB appearances and eight playoff appearances. Also, in the six years leading up to the 2003 season, Carolina hadn't made the playoffs, and while NE had that 2001 run, that was still looked on as somewhat of a fluke, especially since they didn't make the playoffs in 2002.

After Carolina and NE won on January 10, 2004, those franchises would go on to seven combined Super Bowls and 21 combined playoff appearances, while the Rams and Titans only have a combined three trips to the postseason since. Also, the Rams haven't had a winning season since that day, while the Titans have only had three.

I think for there to be a "changing of the guard", the team doing the changing has to end up being the guard. In the years following 2003, there are multiple NFC teams that had a better track record than the Panthers -- the Eagles, Giants, and especially the Packers being the most obvious.

That's why I used the term "somewhat".

[CSKreager]

I know the Rams made the playoffs the next year (albeit at 8-8) and won a playoff game AND were two Josh Brown FG's from winning the NFC West in 2006, but really, that Carolina playoff loss really ended the era of competitive meaningful Rams football in St. Louis.