These are the picks for the 2003 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 only used to determine upsets for the Upset of the Week.
This will be the second year in a row that the two Super Bowl participants won't make the playoffs. Unlike last year, where New England at least made it interesting through the last game of the season, Tampa Bay and Oakland flamed out spectacularly in coming well short on expectations. While winning solves everything, losing fractures locker rooms as both have been dogged by off-field issues.
T.B. is the most recent example with wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson being deactivated for the rest of the season. It more than just losing a key offensive player for the remaining six games of the season. Keyshawn won't be back with the team next year.
According to head coach Jon Gruden, it was a tough decision that had to be made for the sake of the team Johnson made it no secret with teammates that he didn't get along with the coach and Keyshawn openly said he wanted to work elsewhere. The topper was not returning with the team and skipping a mandatory lifting session. Johnson wants to work elsewhere? He'll get his wish. Johnson just has to wait until next year.
The chances of Johnson returning next year were slim to begin with. Beside the clash of personalities, his production is no where close to what is expected from a number one receiver, even for a team that doesn't pass that much. Johnson had two back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Tampa Bay but wasn't producing well for the team this year. Keyshawn wasn't worth the money he was making and would had been at a great risk at being cut for salary cap reasons.
This disappointing season that currently has the Buccaneers with their backs against the wall with no room for error isn't all Johnson's fault. Early injuries played a role in this likely failed season for T.B. But more than anything, attitude did them in. After years of coming short, including two losses in the NFC Championship, the Buccaneers finally got over the hump and won it all. Earning the championship went to their heads. Basically, the reached the summit, then sat down and rested on their laurels.
The way that Oakland got spanked in the Super Bowl meant the Raiders had to get up, dust themselves off, and get back to work. But like the old lady in the classic commercial, Oakland took a fall and can't get up. If that's not bad enough, it's as if they fell at the top of a snow-covered hill and are tumbling. In other words, the season is snowballing.
It started with quarterback Rich Gannon playing poorly. Then deep threat wide out Joey Porter goes down with injury. The bickering for more passes from receiver Tim Brown gets started. Linebacker Bill Romanowski, a veteran player who's intensity teammates could feed off of and was a off the field, misses his first game due to post-concussion syndrome. While recovering, he considers retirement before the team puts him on injured reserve. Shortly after that, Gannon, the man that made the offense go for the past X years, is placed on IR, suffering an injury against Kansas City.
Even possible bright spots are overshadowed by bad news. Quarterback Marquis Touiasosopo played in relief for Gannon in the K.C. game and almost led the team to a comeback that fell less than a yard short of upsetting the then undefeated Chiefs. The next week, Touiasosopo gets injured and is lost for the season as well. Days before the Minnesota game, running back Tyrone Wheatley is seen on camera cursing and slapping the hands of a photographer as he enters a courtroom. Even pulling off an upset of the favored Vikings isn't remembered as much as the news that four Oakland players tested positive for designer steroid THG. The Four Dopemen (Romanowski, defensive tackles Dana Stubblefield and Chris Cooper, and center Barrett Robbins) won't be suspended this season, but the negative press drew the focus away from the win.
Oakland's season is already over. They're playing for draft position. Tampa Bay must run the table or they can pretty much kiss the season good-bye. Players are told to have a short memory so they don't think too much about bad plays. Both teams will want to put the season behind them after the last whistle.
Carolina at Dallas - L
In the history of the Dallas Cowboys previous to this year, they were never shut out. It has happened to them twice this season in losses to Tampa Bay and New England. Though 'Lina has a solid defense, they won't goose-egg the 'Boys because the name of their town is one word. But the Panthers will score more in a win over Dallas.
Detroit at Minnesota - W
Minnesota is apparently going through a relapse to 2002 as the defense can't stop anybody and the offense is turnover-prone. Head coach Mike Tice turns to hypnotism to get the team thinking straight: We're Purple People Eaters. We are the Vikings. We can beat the Lions.
Indianapolis at Buffalo - W
Wonderfully executed fake field goal by Indy in their win over the New York Jets. It was a creative way to generate offense without the primary weapon, receiver Marvin Harrison. Just don't expect to see holder Hunter Smith lined up wide anytime soon. The Colts won't need a bag of tricks to defeat the Bills.
Jacksonville at N.Y. Jets - W
See the difference Chad Pennington makes? With only 14 attempts, Pennington and the Jets had one of their most offensively productive games of the season, scoring 31 points. Unfortunately the defense had one of their most offensive games of the season, allowing 38 points. Time for the D to get their act together. If they show up, the offense takes care of the rest as the Jets squash the Jaguars.
New England at Houston - W
N.E. wants to make it a Texas trifecta. Just off of shutting out Dallas, they set their aim on Houston. Why a trifecta? Earlier this season, the Patriots out-gunned Tennessee. Remember before the Titans moved to the Volunteer State, they originally were the Houston Oilers. Using slick moves, the Patriots slip through the Texans' hands.
New Orleans at Philadelphia - W
A few years ago, this would had been a marquee game because it would had been Deuce vs. Duce. N'Orleans' McAllister and Philly's Staley would had taken turns out-gaining each other running and receiver. Now it's Deuce vs. Duce, Corell, and Michael. Three against one clearly favors the Eagles and they trample the Saints.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland - L
I'd like to thank the Browns for dressing in the classic, ugly-ass, do-do brown jerseys last week. Let''s hope they stay with them and leave the construction orange jerseys in the locker room. Yeah, the season is a little disappointing, but Cleveland isn't rebuilding. The Browns will tear down the Steelers.
San Francisco at Green Bay - W
Good win by San Fran, but bad dance by receiver Terrell Owens. Watching him get his groove on while ignoring his teammates annoyed me. I would had preferred if he involved his teammates, like forming a cha-cha line, but the league banned group celebrations. Damn! Owens left his dancing shoes home knowing the Packers own the floor of Lambeau Field.
Seattle at Baltimore - L
I can explain my belief why I thought Ravens quarterback Anthony Wright was going to do well last week. I thought he was a distant relative of the Wright Brothers and Anthony was gonna help the offense take off. Next time, I'll check the family tree. The Seahawks leaf, uh, leave the Ravens behind.
Chicago at Denver - L
It's beyond me why Bears head coach Dick Jauron hasn't started QB Rex Grossman yet. Think of how marketable he is! If he's playing well, Rex is in effect, if it's a muddy game, it's time to get dirty. You know, get gross, man! Milk it for all it's worth. Chicago is going nowhere anyway. Jake "The Snake" is back throwing for he Broncos and he'll have a big day in a win.
Cincinnati at San Diego - W
Wide out Chad Johnson and his Cincy team have equal .500 records. The Bengals are 5-5 while Johnson is 2-2 on making guarantees. Notice how Johnson didn't make a guarantee this week. That's because Cincinnati is expected to win, an honor they don't get often. The Bengals will live up to expectations and down the Chargers.
Oakland at Kansas City - W
No one should be surprised that a team with linebacker Bill Romanowski on the team tested positive for the designer steroid. He and three other Oakland players had THG in their system. When you think about it, it's actually a positive story. It shows that Romanowski listened to his teachers when they told him if he didn't have enough to share he couldn't indulge in treats. Hungry for a win, the Chiefs chew on the Raiders.
St. Louis at Arizona - W
Is Kurt Warner a gentleman or what? When Rams head coach Mike Martz turned to his former starting quarterback and asked him if he could get ready to get in the game, Warner told Martz to give current starter Marc Bulger a chance to pass his way out of his poor performance. Bulger led St. Louis to a come from behind win. Martz will use the hook this week only when the Rams have a insurmountable lead over the Cardinals.
Tennessee at Atlanta - W
OK city of Atlanta, you can breathe again. Now that the examination is complete, the X-rays, MRI, blood tests, retinal scan, DNA tests, and stool sample reveal that quarterback Michael Vick did no further damage to his healing leg when he slightly twisted his ankle during drills. Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair wishes he could only be that lucky. Gritting his teeth through some kind of pain, McNair and the Titans put a hurting on the Falcons.
Washington at Miami - W
All that time people thought Redskins head coach Steve Spurrier was putting quarterback Patrick Ramsey at risk with all the throwing, we find out Ramsey has been playing hurt. Maybe Spurrier's reasoning is Ramsey is already hurt so the injury risk is moot. Tell that to Ramsey who will be swallowed up by the Dolphins.
N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay - Monday Night - L
It's not a tropical depression, but a locker room depression. It happened in New England when they released strong safety Lawyer Milloy five days before the season opener. Team morale dropped and the team was pummeled. The same thing will happen to the Buccaneers as the players don't take the deactivation of wide out Keyshawn Johnson well. The Giants pull off the Upset of the Week.
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Super Bowl XXXVIII