re: Another franchise wins their first Super Bowl before the Falcons and Panthers do

the afc was weak that year.

brady's boys got whipped by balti who got whipped by the colts. brady doesn't even win superbowls any more. brees was perfect in the playoffs that year as well.. and also already destroyed the patriots earlier that season.

there wasn't much of a threat in the afc that year besides the colts.. the saints already whipped the patriots and jets that very season and were perfect against the AFC..