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.
It's the goal of every player that enters the league. They want to be great, a marquee player, one of those guys opponents game plan against and analysts talk about. If they become great, they get recognition, they become sport celebrities. Then it's, "Hello, Park Avenue!"
Who could blame anyone after becoming a high profile player to want his profile appearing in magazines and on television? You don't have to play for San Francisco, San Diego or Oakland to go Hollywood. A handful of players took advantage of celebrity status and appeared in advertisements. But are commercials a distraction for these guys? Highly doubtful, but maybe there is a small curse that goes with it. It doesn't inflict everybody, but a few examples come to mind.
SEGA of America used a handful of players for their t.v. spots for their NFL 2K2 video game. Tampa Bay's Warren Sapp hasn't been bothered. Zach Thomas of Miami is doing just fine. Their teams also are successful this season, as both the Buccaneers and Dolphins lead their divisions.
Others from those commercials haven't been so lucky. Tennessee's Jevon Kearse seems cursed, as he broke his ankle in the first game of the season and hasn't played since.
Baltimore's ferocious linebacker Ray Lewis threw verbal spears in the commercial, and he backed it up for five weeks. For week 6, he was on the sideline, after separating his shoulder the previous week. Lewis is listed as doubtful for this week.
The black and yellow-clad Jerome "The Bus" Bettis of Pittsburgh threatened, "The wheels of The Bus goes round and round...and you're under The Bus." Bettis didn't get rolling until week five.
Minnesota's Randy Moss...well, we all know by now. But forget about personal turmoil. His Vikings team is 1-4. See, it's not just about underachieving performance-wise. A team's failure to achieve can be linked to the Commercialism Curse.
Brian Urlacher charged, screaming out loud, a camera in one spot. But Urlacher's Chicago team, hobbled by injuries, have stumbled out to a 2-3 start.
He set the single-season sack record last year. The achievement earned New York Giants' Michael Strahan the opportunity to appear in a Chunky Soup commercial with his mother, giving a bowl of soup to a commuter on the train. Expecting Strahan to repeat last year's success is outlandish. After six games, Strahan has a decent 3.5 sacks but his fellow Giants are 3-3.
The Curse can befall a team and right now, the most lucrative team is the New England Patriots. I have a disadvantage being from the area. I've seen offensive tackle Matt Light push a furniture store, kicker Adam Vinatieri do the same, but for a different furniture chain. To his credit, Vinatieri missed one field goal this season in a year where he hasn't had many opportunities. Light and his O-line mates don't give up a lot of sacks, but QB pressures don't make the stat sheet.
But the leader by far in poster boy-ism goes to Golden Boy Tom Brady. The handsome Super Bowl XXXVI MVP with the dimpled chin (a la Jesse Ventura without the diamond stud from his wrestling days) came from nowhere to be part of the most amazing Cinderella story in league history, and Brady played the roll of Prince Charming.
He's been rewarded handsomely for his instant celebrity status. Open a magazine, and he's pictured with a milk mustache. Turn on the t.v. and Brady is trading spots with an elderly security guard just to enjoy a Dunkin' Donuts steak, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich. Going into the season, he was anointed the undisputed starter for the team and rewarded with a brand new long-term contract. Now he has to prove he's worth not only his raise, but his status as well.
It looked all good after roaring to a spectacular 3-0 start where he completed 70 percent of his passes, threw for 973 yards and nine TDs to two interceptions But now Brady's game has fallen apart with five touchdown passes trailing his seven? interceptions in the last three games. The Patriots have lost the last three games as well, though all the blame doesn't belong on the third year quarterback. The defense is allowing 25 points per game and 177 yards on the ground during the slump.
Fortunately the Commercialism Curse is only temporary. Bones and sprains heal, a player won't slump forever, and things eventually right itself in due time. But don't be surprised if after these players bounce back, other victims fall to the Commercialism Curse.
Buffalo at Miami - W
The stakes have been raised for the Buffalo linebackers and secondary. The defense has gone this far into the season without an interception. For extra incentive, the 'backers, corners, and safeties all put their own money up for grabs for the first person to come up with a pick. Their chances can't be any better, facing quarterback Ray Lucas who subs in for the injured Jay Feidler and a Dolphins offense without their most dangerous receiver, Chris Chambers. With the help of a turnover or two, the Bills get the win.
Carolina at Atlanta - W
After six weeks, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has played in five games and is second on the team in rushing by 41 yards. Even after bringing in two running backs (free agent Warrick Dunn and draft pick T.J. Duckett), Atlanta fails to find a capable complement for the youngster. Vick's feet can't afford to fail him this week, as he will have to run away from 'Lina's Julius Peppers all afternoon. Vick will get away long enough to produce a win for the Falcons.
Chicago at Detroit - W
If injuries spread through locker rooms like the common cold, the Bears would have a roster mostly composed of CFL players. Already down defensive tackle Ted Washington, now the offense takes a blow with wide receiver David Terrell going down for maybe a month. It's bad timing to go to Ford Field. The Lions drive over Chicago.
Denver at Kansas City - W
The Broncos suffers a serious blow by the loss of safety Kenoy Kennedy. He was suspended by the league for delivering, well, a serious blow to a semi-defenseless receiver. While it hurts to be without the intimidator in the secondary, there's no one to be afraid of in KC's pass defense. The Broncos and their receivers slice and dice the Chiefs.
Jacksonville at Baltimore - W
B-more head coach Brian Billick fumed over the pass interference call that determined the outcome of the game against Indianapolis. While it's true the referees shouldn't play a part in the result, when a corner throws his body into a receiver like he bounced off wrestling ropes, without looking for the ball, it's pass interference. A week wiser, the Ravens keep their eyes open and drop the Jaguars.
Minnesota at N.Y. Jets - W
Eventually the Vikings offense would click. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper had 295 passing yards with three touchdowns. His favorite target, wide receiver Randy Moss, gained 83 yards. The defense, though is still trying to put it all together: 309 yards given up in the air and two touchdowns. New York's offense must be salivating. Facing a defense almost as bad as theirs, the Jets find their way back to the win column.
Seattle at St. Louis - W
Was it out of necessity that the Rams coaching staff handed the ball off to running back Marshall Faulk 26 times, or did they become smart all of a sudden? It's a formula for success that can't be ignored. Another big day by Faulk and the Rams take their second in a row.
San Francisco at New Orleans - W
This might be the tightest coverage SF's Terrell Owens will see all year. Getting open is hard enough, but he will get double, triple, quadruple, or more coverage if he scores a touchdown. N'Orleans will watch closely how Owens "has fun" celebrating his score(s). If Owens does celebrate, it won't be for a win. That will go to the Saints.
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia - L
TB fans always said, "You're in good hands in Alstott." Fullback Mike Alstott proved himself to his new head coach Jon Gruden. After minimal use, Alstott carried the ball 17 times for 126 yards. Statistically speaking, when Alstott gets 15 or more touches, Tampa Bay is 9-1. Expect another heaping dose of Alstott as the Buccaneers ride the fullback for a W.
Houston at Cleveland - W
Shoulder pads: Check. Rib pads: Check. Helmet: Check. Kleenex: Check. These are the contents of Browns quarterback Tim Couch's locker. Bothered by booing by the Cleveland fans, in particular cheering when he got knocked out of the game, Couch cried in a post game interview as he gave the fans a piece of his mind. The fans were wrong to cheer his injury, but take your abuse like a man. Cleveland fans show their support as the Browns survive a threat from the Texans.
San Diego at Oakland - L
The come from behind win is being treated like it was a coming of age game for the Chargers' Drew Brees. SD battled back from 10 points behind in the fourth, thanks in large part to Cool Brees' second half performance. The other opinion is a coming in contact with Kansas City's defense type of game. A repeat performance won't happen as the Raiders stop SD.
Dallas at Arizona - W
Surprisingly, Arizona was the only team not to lose entering the bye week.While the momentum has slowed, there's still enough to propel the Cardinals to victory.
Washington at Green Bay - W
Grass seems greener on the other side, especially when it's covered in money. But this can't be what Redskins head coach Steve Spurrier would had ever imagined. Besides inconsistent offense, the defense isn't performing despite big free agent additions and being coached by Marvin Lewis, the defensive coordinator for the record-setting 2000 Baltimore defense. The green and gold Packers cash in on a win.
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh - Monday Night - L
No offense, but picking up the first win of the season over the Cincinnati Bengals is the equivalent of shutting out the University of Maryland-Baltimore County -- UMBC doesn't have a football team and the Bengals have no game. Until the Steelers prove they are turning things around, they are out of favor with me. I'll go with the Colts for the Upset of the Week.
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