We are four days from Super Bowl XLVI. The number 4 has a bad connotation in some circles. The Vikings and Broncos at one time had the dubious distinction of being 0-4 in Super Bowls (until Denver broke through, thanks to Terrell Davis).

The Bills blew both teams out of the water by losing four consecutive Super Bowls. It’s unfair to chastise the Bills, because they did something incredible by winning four straight conference championships, making a truly remarkable mark.

But let’s not wallow in the negative. When we think of No. 4, we also must think of Adam Vinatieri — the most clutch kicker in Super Bowl history.

America — nay, the world — rejoiced when Vinatieri’s 48-yard field goal sailed through the uprights to knock off the St. Louis Football Club in Super Bowl XXXVI. The underdog Patriots overcame long odds to beat St. Louis. Of course, we shouldn’t forget his two clutch kicks in the snow against the Raiders in the divisional playoff round that year, which allowed the Patriots to reach the big game in the first place.

Vinatieri again had the winner when the Patriots knocked off the Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. By the time the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX, most of the world was becoming sick of them (not me — I’ll never hate them for beating St. Louis and Oakland in the same postseason).

Vinatieri picked up a fourth ring with the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. He’s easily the kicker you would want to boot the ball with the game on the line. I’m sure Bills fans would have loved to have had him in Super Bowl XXV.

You can catch Rank from the Super Bowl on NFL.com Live Wednesday through Friday from 1-4 p.m. ET. Follow him on Twitter @adamrank.

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