These are the picks for the 2002 season. The bold represents the team selected to win. Games in red represent the Upset of the Week. At the bottom, The weekly and overall records for the season appear at the bottom. These picks are based purely on winners and losers with no consideration from the spread. The spread is used only to determine upsets for the Upset of the Week.
What's a season without a quarterback controversy? Americans love controversy! That's why shows like Jerry Springer and Jenny Jones are on the air. Why else are reality shows all the rave? There's a reason why the WWE is having success like during the glory days of wrestling back in the 80's.
Some of these controversies are quick to a resolution. Check out Minnesota. Todd Bouman or Daunte Culpepper? Playing one quarter isn't enough to elevate Bouman ahead of Culpepper. Culpepper's problems can be traced back to the Randy Ratio, or head coach Mike Tice informing the whole league on the Vikings' offensive approach to throw ball to wide receiver Randy Moss 40 percent of the time. The announcement caused two things: It directed opponents to focus on Moss with double or triple teams and forced Culpepper to throw towards Moss more often.
Culpepper's game became mechanical, as he had to think instead of let his game come to him. But also, the lack of a defense only increases the chances of offensive mistakes as the only way the Vikings can win is by outscoring opponents. Culpepper hit his lowest point of his career when he was pulled from the game on Sunday.
But it's only temporary. This is a former Pro Bowl quarterback. Culpepper has had good moments, but he hasn't played well consistently. The benching is a blow to his confidence, but sitting him could destroy what confidence Culpepper has left. Culpepper gives the Vikings the best chance to win. A player will encounter a slump or two in his career. The only way to break out of the doldrums is to play through it.
People are making a big deal out of Baltimore head coach Brian Billick sticking with Jeff Blake as the starter over Chris Redman. The young Redman is in his first year as a starter and was performing well enough to lead the Ravens to a 3-3 record before his injury. In his place, Blake came in and has run the offense well?
Billick's perspective is, if things are going well, why mess with it? The Ravens are trying to get into the playoffs and have little margin for error. It's not a knock on Redman, but the offense has averaged more yards under Blake's direction. So for now, Blake's the man.
Keep in mind that Blake is something like 77 years old. Nothing should be read into the fact he remains the starter for now. He won't be in the league for much longer. There's no guarantee that Blake will stick with B-more beyond this year. Redman is a mere 25 years old. He's the quarterback of the future. Yeah, it sucks to be second fiddle, but the experience could be beneficial as Redman takes time to learn from Blake. It could make Redman a better quarterback in the near future.
Head coach Mike Martz is taking a different approach in St. Louis. He believes that the starting quarterback shouldn't lose his job over an injury. Martz will wait one more week to make sure Kurt Warner is completely recovered from his broken pinky. But next week, Warner starts again.
But what about Marc Bulger? The youngster has been excellent in his four starts, winning all of them. He even took the offense on his shoulders last week without running back Marshall Faulk for most of the fourth quarter to lead the Rams to a come from behind victory, passing for 453 yards and four touchdowns. Bulger is the highest rated passer in the NFL and has done nothing to warrant losing his starting status.
This is a dangerous risk Martz will take when he makes the switch. The Rams already have five losses. St. Louis can't risk another loss in the four-division NFC if they are going to get into the playoffs. In Warner's five starts, the Rams are winless and Warner has thrown eight interceptions to one touchdown. Bulger has overwhelmingly outplayed Warner when the statistics are compared side-by-side. But Martz hasn't forgotten what Warner, a two-time league MVP, has done for the team in the past. St. Louis won with Warner and can win with him again.
It is important to note that the Rams' fortunes turned when the Warner got hurt, but for reasons beyond Bulger's play. The offense abandoned the pass only attack for a run first style of play to take pressure off of Bulger. Faulk carried the team to three of the four wins, averaging 173 rushing yards in the first three wins of the streak. When Warner resumes starting duties, if the offense remains committed to the run, Warner should be able to keep the Rams on the winning path. But if the change doesn't work, then Martz will never hear the end of it. Then it's the offseason, which could really get crazy.
And when that time comes, fans of controversy will have one more drama to tune in for.
Arizona at Philadelphia - W
No hands on deck! On two occasions last week, 'Zona running back Marcel Shipp fumbled the ball when the offense ventured into the red zone. If the Cardinals converted those opportunities into touchdowns, then Arizona would had at least tied the game. Red zone opportunities won't come around as often as the Eagles shut down the Cards.
Baltimore at Miami - L
B-more safety Ed Reed was made to practice wearing a lamp shade on his head instead of a helmet. The message: Don't celebrate during a play. It's was punishment for his Leon Lett Super Bowl re-enactment. There won't be any playin' around when the Ravens wreck the Dolphins.
Buffalo at Kansas City - W
In years past, a loss to a Bill Belichick-coached defense led to a slump for Drew Bledsoe when he played for New England. There's no telling if the trend will hold true, but a loss to the Chiefs could be a precursor.
Cleveland at Cincinnati - W
This is the moment of truth for William Green of the Browns. He won't have to share the ball carrying duties with Jamel White as White won't play this week. The knock on Green is that he looks for big gains on every carry. With more carries, he can be patient and wait for the long run opportunities to come to him. If Green is patient, he should be able to carry the Browns to a win.
Dallas at Indianapolis - W
With two games under his belt, Cowboys quarterback Chad Hutchinson is being touted as one of the young guns in the NFL by a certain publication. No offense, but the guy didn't cut it as a baseball player and two games establish nothing in this league. He has a long way to go before he's the next great QB. Peyton Manning, who already achieved greatness, will show the Colts the way to another W.
Green Bay at Minnesota - W
Normally I don't follow trends, but after getting burned on Monday night (always take the Raiders on Monday nights), I'll take my chances with the Green Bay-on-turf trend. At a moment when the Vikings can't fall much further, they will rise and get the better of the Packers in the Upset of the Week.
New Orleans at Atlanta - L
For all the amazing things Falcons quarterback Michael Vick can do, he doesn't do a good job of protecting himself. Week in and week out he subjects himself to beatings. He leads all quarterbacks in limping and that's not good. N'Orleans has a bullseye on Vick and the Saints won't miss on this win.
Pittsburgh at Tennessee - W
A lot of Pittsburgh players look at last week's tie as a loss. Considering they let Atlanta come back from 17 points down in the fourth quarter, they should. They let a sure win slip away. It won't happen again as the Steelers make sure they put away the Titans.
Washington at N.Y. Giants - L
Washington's improving defense has a big test to face for the rest of the season. They need to figure out a way to make defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis want to stay over taking a head coaching position elsewhere. The easier task is restricting the Giants which the Redskins will pull off.
Carolina at Tampa Bay - W
Is sounds like the beginning of the end for 'Lina quarterback Chris Weinke. The coaching staff will stick with Rodney Peete for the rest of the season as the starter at QB. The switch is not about veteran leadership. Weinke is almost as old as Peete is. Expect a convincing Buccaneers win.
San Francisco at San Diego - L
S.D.'s players are starting to have flashbacks of the 2001 season in where after a fast start they fizzled in the second half of the season. These visions continue to haunt the Chargers as the 49ers add to San Diego's slide.
Denver at Seattle - W
By utilizing a two-back offense, the Seahawks put up the kind of rushing numbers opponents usually run up on Seattle's defense. Denver's Clinton Portis is giddy. The Broncos steamroll the Seahawks.
Jacksonville at Houston - W
Who saw the Jaguars game last week? What did I tell y'all about the dark pants trend? Now weren't those threads the Jags had on horrible, with those big 'ol teal stripes running down the legs? Fortunately they are on the road, decreasing the chances of seeing those pants again. With better fashion sense, the Jaguars hammer the Texans.
N.Y. Jets at Detroit - W
After three passes went through the hands of wide receiver Bill Schroeder, the Lions claim Jacquez Green off waivers for receiver help. If a player is coming off of waiver, how much help can he really be? The inspired Jets knock Detroit silly.
New England at Oakland - W
Last year it was the ricochet touchdown in Atlanta, the out of bounds by contact in Buffalo, and the incomplete pass in the AFC playoffs. The newest chapter is another incomplete pass that was nearly picked off. The Patriots have been so lucky that the only thing that hasn't happened is Fan Man flying through the uprights to knock an opponent's game-winning field goal no good. Oakland won't let this game stay close. With revenge on their mind, the Raiders smother the Patriots.
Chicago at St. Louis - Monday Night - W
The big story shouldn't be who starts at QB, but who plays in relief at RB. Marshall Faulk, the biggest factor on three of St. Louis' four wins, won't play. Lamar Gordon gets the start and he needs to be productive for the 'Lou's best chance to win. The Rams slam Chicago.
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