Vinatieri, who won Super Bowl XXXVI as time expired but who had blown two makable field goals in this game, trotted on. He was at the end of his worst season as a pro. The kick was 41 yards. If he made it, he would be a ride-on-the-shoulder hero for a second time in three years, in spite of everything. If he missed it, he would risk joining Scott Norwood of the Bills in Super Bowl ignominy should the Patriots lose in overtime.