How to Win the Super Bowl

Unless you’re a big football fan or from St. Louis, you might not remember the St. Louis Rams (now the L.A. Rams). They were unremarkable in 1998, finishing with a 4-12 record.

But things turned around in 1999 under head coach Dick Vermeil, fueled by their high-octane, offense, led them to a Super Bowl victory. (Super Bowl Trivia: Vermeil is one of only two coaches to lead both the Chiefs and Eagles – Andy Reid, the current Chiefs’ coach, is the other.)

Chris Berman from ESPN dubbed them “The Greatest Show on Turf.” It was like they were playing a different game. They gave America what we thirst for—entertainment and action. Their offense was bananas, flooding the zone with movement, speed, and aggressive passing. Opposing defenses didn’t know how to respond. They were like bobbleheads, even though they knew what the Rams would do. Sports “gurus” predicted they would be the next dynasty.

But the rest of the league said, “Not so fast.”

The following year, while the Rams’ offense remained elite, their defense struggled. They made it to the playoffs but exited early.

They returned to the Super Bowl the following year but lost to some guy named Brady and the New England Patriots, marking the beginning of the Patriots’ dynasty.

Whether you’re competing in business, politics, or the Super Bowl, your game plan is always the first casualty. As Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” 

Success hinges on your mindset and ability to adapt.

Like the Rams, the current administration down in D.C. telegraphed its game plan of tempo, aggression, unconventional strategies, and unpredictability, all designed to keep their opponents on their heels. Everyone knew, or at least should have known, this was coming. 

I know a thing or two about resilience and what to do when you get knocked down – you learn, adjust, and get back up. With a competitive mindset, courage, and the willingness to endure, you find a way to keep fighting for the common person while resisting the vortex of personalities willing to run over anyone who doesn’t agree with them. 

This is not the time to tune out and hand over the Vince Lombardi Trophy – not when we face real challenges like extreme weather, housing shortages, wealth inequality, insane college tuitions, accessible healthcare, privacy concerns, humane immigration reform, and yes, even the price of eggs and avos.

Eventually, the Rams faced internal drama and their bodies broke down from their pace. The other teams also discovered St. Louis’ weaknesses. They disrupted the their precise timing, slowed them down, and pressured them into mistakes. And this is key: they believed they could beat them. By 2002, the Rams had fallen to 7-9 and were irrelevant, proving that even The Greatest Show on Turf was temporary.

Here’s the thing, the Patriots didn’t stop the Rams with flashy plays or innovation. They won by staying focused, adapting their strategy, and believing they could beat the “Greatest Show on Turf.” And they did.

We’re still in the first quarter of Musk and his minions; there’s still a lot of game to be played. And just like those teams that finally cracked the code of the seemingly unstoppable Rams, sometimes the most essential step is simply believing you can win. 

If you are watching, enjoy The Super Bowl. 

This week’s Kintsugi Podcast (just eight minutes)​is filled with predictions. I hope you’ll listen before kickoff. 

And don’t forget to sign up for Pause Breathe Reflect’s collab with The Global Day of Unplugging. Click HERE to save your seat.

Until next week, have fun storming the castle and eat lots of guac! 

Michael 

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