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.
This past week, the Green Bay Packers missed their opportunity to be the first team to clinch a playoff spot. The second place teams in the NFC North are tied at 3-7, meaning that it is only a matter of time before the Pack officially are playoff bound.
Likely G.B. is the only team that will clinch a playoff spot before the final weeks of the season. Other divisions are tight like the 2002 Presidential Election. Fortunately the playoff lineup won't be decided by hanging chads, but by the likes of Chad Pennington and Chad Lewis.
Competition brings the best, or worst, out of individuals. With tight races within divisions, the players that are able to come through at crucial moments will decide victories or defeats for their respective teams. This year, the stakes have been raised, thanks to realignment.
The NFL's decision to dissect conferences by fours while keeping the playoff format the same makes securing a playoff spot more difficult. The league intends on rewarding division winners. That leaves two spots for wild card teams. Right now, there's about seven AFC teams not in first place with a chance for the Wild Card spots (Denver and San Diego are tied for first in the AFC West while Indianapolis and Tennessee are both 5-5 in the AFC South). In the NFC, it's a bit simpler with only three teams with legitimate chances.
It's going to be very testy as the season winds down. Some teams have lost starters and will depend on back-ups for the final push. Miami's Ray Lucas finally led the Dolphins to a win in place of quarterback Jay Fiedler. It restores hope for a team that lost the previous two games. Staying in the AFC East, New York Jets quarterback Pennington has four of his six starts to get the Jets in the playoff hunt.
Two more bench warmers at QB will line up behind center to fuel playoff drives. Steve Beurlein takes the place of injured Brian Griese in Denver. In Philadelphia, they will be without Donovan McNabb for the rest of the season after breaking his leg. In comes Koy Detmer who hasn't started since 1999.
Pittsburgh might have a redemption on hand if Kordell Stewart plays as well as he did this past Sunday. With Tommy Maddox injured at the end of the third quarter, Stewart stepped in with a efficient 13-for-17 performance with 124 passing yards and two touchdowns.
It's not just passers stepping up. William Green had his most productive day for the Cleveland Browns in place of running back Jamel White. When White returns, Cleveland can have comfort in having two ball carriers that can move the chains.
Indianapolis turned to James Mungro for a ground attack two weeks ago. The undrafted rookie stepped up for the Colts with 114 yards and two touchdowns. His Syracuse teammate defensive end Dwight Freeney had started the past two games and picked up three sacks in those starts.
It's a sprint to the end with five weeks left to go. The teams with the best finishing kick qualify because you don't have to win the division to get in, but only the top two qualifiers reach the next round.
Atlanta at Carolina - W
'Lina wide receiver Steve Smith won't be in the lineup this week because he was suspended him for fighting during a team meeting. With time on his hands, he will sign with the local Hurricanes and play the role of enforcer. The Falcons knock out the Panthers.
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets - W
This will be Jets kick returner Chad Morton's best opportunity to play his way into the Pro Bowl. He hopes he can repeat his season opening performance against the Bills that resulted in 278 total kickoff return yards and two touchdowns. The Jets can get by without special teams points and wax the Bills.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh - W
Cincy wide out Chad Johnson and his predictions have mercifully come to an end. He picked the right time because his teammates wouldn't had appreciated Johnson foreseeing a Bengals loss. I predict the Steelers cream Cincy.
Cleveland at New Orleans - L
If N'Orleans never sees or hears the name Michael Vick for the rest of the year, they will be a happy team. They shouldn't relax, because they could hear that name again come playoff time. For now, the Saints get a step closer to the second season by stepping all over the Browns.
Detroit at Chicago - W
With all the records being set this year, here is one Chicago hopes they don't break. By losing this past Monday, they tied the franchise record for consecutive losses with eight. Chi-town will settle for tying the record. The '02 Bears end the losing streak by beating Detroit.
Green Bay at Tampa Bay - L
This game will be interesting from beginning to end, even beyond. Watch the love-fest between G.B. quarterback Brett Favre and T.B. defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Football doesn't get any mushier than this without becoming erotic. It will be a story-book ending only for Farve, as the Packers leave the Buccaneers jaded.
Jacksonville at Dallas - L
Still basking in setting the NFL record for career rushing yards, Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith is irked over his workload being cut. Dallas shifted the Emmitt Run for Glory PR machine into Thank-you mode, appreciating his past because he likely doesn't have a future with the Cowboys. With playoff hopes ahead, the Jaguars churn out another win.
Minnesota at New England - W
A lot of the Patriots players keep referring to last year as a source of inspiration. They stood at 5-5 in 2001 before running the table all the way to a Super Bowl win. If history is supposed to repeat itself, then quarterback Tom Brady should had been knocked out weeks ago with Rohan Davey leading the way. The Patriots get back on their feet.
San Diego at Miami - L
Saved by a week! I was about to say that the Dolphins wouldn't win a game without quarterback Jay Fiedler. Miami's coaching staff gave current QB Ray Lucas plays he felt comfortable with to run last Sunday. It took the staff three weeks to figure out catering passing game to the quarterback was the best chance to win. Thanks to the coaches, the 'Fins won't be ready for the Chargers.
Tennessee at Baltimore - L
Is Elvis Grbac busy? Bad quarterback decisions is nothing new to Ravens head coach Brian Billick. He liked Jeff Blake because he throws the ball downfield more. It resulted in one 28-yard touchdown this past week. It's not a stretch for the Titans to come out on top.
Kansas City at Seattle - L
I retract my comment that the Chiefs play no defense. Holding the second best offense to 16 points says the defense is doing alright. Give the nod to the Chiefs.
Oakland at Arizona - W
It has to be the second worst feeling for a defense to have an offense dink and dunk it's way up and down the field. The worst feeling is getting beat by a quarterback playing on one leg. This Cardinals loss to the Raiders will hurt.
N.Y. Giants at Houston - L
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey demanded the ball through the media and had his most productive day as a pro. Recently signed Tony Simmons, a wide receiver with a history of dropped balls, follows suit and states he doesn't want passes thrown his way. By giving Simmons what he wants, the Giants get the better of the Texans.
St. Louis at Washington - W
Even if quarterback Marc Bulger was healthy, Rams head coach Mike Martz was going to start Kurt Warner. Running the ball got St. Louis to 5-5, but based upon the 20 attempts from Sunday, it looks like the offense might be getting away from what got them to where they are. The pass-happy Rams pay the price for airing it out as the Redskins pull off the Upset of the Week.
Indianapolis at Denver - L
Denver Quarterback Steve Beurlein never took off his helmet since head coach Mike Shanahan told him to warm up in the season opener. Then Beurlein waited...and waited...and waited...until week 11. See kids, patience does pay off. Always ready, Beurlein leads the Broncos past the Colts.
Philadelphia at San Francisco - Monday Night - L
It's bad enough to know that Philly quarterback Donovan McNabb won't be playing. But it's even worse news to find out Koy Detmer gets the start. I hate his horrible "I threw a touchdown!" celebration about as much as those waste of time Nick Bakay betting segments on ESPN. The Eagles will have something in common with the annoying Bakay this week. That's right...they'll both...be losers. The 49ers dominate.
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