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.
Due to a very busy week, I didn't have time to ramble about something, someone, or something else. A long drive following the Patriots-Jaguars game, two days of work, a Boston Celtics-Dallas Mavericks game, and some training got in the way. Oh, and an issue getting photographs printed (Damn those idiots!). So in place of a piece of my mind, here are the Pro Bowl teams for each conference. Congratulations to the players selected and maybe I'll watch in February.
AFC |
NFC |
Offense |
|
| QB - Steve McNair, Tennessee;
Trent Green, Kansas City; Peyton Manning, Indianapolis RB - Jamal Lewis, Baltimore; Priest Holmes, Kansas City; Clinton Portis, Denver FB - Tony Richardson, Kansas City WR - Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Chad Johnson, Cincinnati; Derek Mason, Tennessee; Hines Ward, Pittsburgh TE - Todd Heap, Baltimore; Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City OT - Willie Anderson, Cincinnati; Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore; Willie Roaf, Kansas City OG - Reuben Brown, Buffalo; Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh; Will Shields, Kansas City C - Kevin Mawae, New York Jets; Tom Nalen, Denver |
QB - Brett Favre, Green Bay;
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia; Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota RB - Stephen Davis, Carolina; Ahman Green, Green Bay; Deuce McAllister, New Orleans FB - Fred Beasley, San Francisco WR - Randy Moss, Minnesota; Torry Holt, St. Louis; Terrell Owens, San Francisco; Anquan Boldin, Arizona TE - Alge Crumpler, Atlanta, Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants OT - Flozell Adams, Dallas; Walter Jones, Seattle; Orlando Pace, St. Louis OG - Larry Allen, Dallas; LeCharles Bentley, New Orleans; Marco Rivera, Green Bay C - Matt Birk, Minnesota; Olin Kreutz, Chicago |
Defense |
|
| DE - Shawn Ellis, New York Jets,
Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis; Adewale Ogunleye, Miami DT - Richard Seymour, New England, Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh; Marcus Stroud, Jacksonville LB - Ray Lewis, Baltimore; Zach Thomas, Miami; Keith Bullock, Tennessee; Peter Boulware, Baltimore; Takeo Spikes, Buffalo CB - Ty Law, New England; Chris McAllister, Baltimore; Patrick Surtain, Miami S - Ed Reed, Baltimore; Brock Marion, Miami; Jerome Woods, Kansas City |
DE - Michael Strahan, New York;
Leonard Little, St. Louis; Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay DT - La'Roi Glover, Dallas; Kris Jenkins, Carolina; Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay LB - Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay; LaVar Arrington, Washington; Julian Peterson, San Francisco; Keith Brooking, Atlanta; Brian Urlacher, Chicago CB - Troy Vincent, Philadelphia; Champ Bailey, Washington; Dre Bly, Detroit S - Corey Chavous, Minnesota; Aeneas Williams, St. Louis; Roy Williams, Dallas |
Specialists |
|
| P - Craig Hentrich, Tennessee K - Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis Returner - Dante Hall, Kansas City Special Teamer - Adalius Thomas, Baltimore |
P - Todd Sauerbrun, Carolina K - Jeff Wilkins, St. Louis Returner - Jerry Azumah, Chicago Special Teamer - Alez Bannister, Seattle |
Atlanta at Tampa Bay - Saturday - L
Lucky for running back T.J. Duckett of the Falcons that he was upstaged in the stupid touchdown celebration category. Already down by 31 points, Duckett apparently consumed by the holy spirit or something like that, couldn't help himself and did a small dance as if the extra footwork was worth three points or something. But thanks to the other celebration, Duckett's poor decision was barely noticed. Few will notice his production this week as the Buccaneers slam Duckett and the Falcons.
Kansas City at Minnesota - Saturday - L
Vikings head coach Mike Tice praised wide receiver Randy Moss for his leadership at the beginning of the season. Then it's understandable why Minnesota lost to lowly Chicago. The players saw Moss half-ass a catch attempt when he heard footsteps. The team followed suit and played scared. Still spooked six days later, the Vikes lack the heart to stand up to the Chiefs and get laid out.
New England at New York Jets - Saturday - W
A shout out to Jets running back Curtis Martin for becoming just the second player in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in his first nine seasons, a mark bested by Barry Sanders who did it in his first 10 seasons. Years ago when Martin signed an offer sheet with New York as a restricted free agent N.E. let him go because the average life of an NFL running back was about three to four years. They forgot to carry the two in their calculations. The Patriots would be a much better team with Martin, but they'll be good enough to edge the Martin-led Jets.
Miami at Buffalo - L
Team scouts watch games from all over the league and the Buffalo scouts are really impressed with the performance by Tennessee quarterback Billy Volek in his first career start. Knowing Volek will be a free agent, the Bills will pursue him and at the press conference announcing his signing, they will laud him as the next Rob Johnson. Until that day comes, the Bills edge the Dolphins.
Detroit at Carolina - L
In all my banter about records and the quality of those marks last week, I forgot to highlight the longest road losing streak of 23 which was tied by Detroit following their loss to Kansas City. They are a very different team outside Ford Field. In a stroke of genius, Lions head coach Steve Mariucci takes a portion Ford Field with him to Erickson Field to make the team feel more at home. In a stunning Upset of the Week, the Lions settle for tying the record by defeating the Panthers.
Washington at Chicago - W
Admittingly, Rex wasn't in effect on Sunday, but rookie quarterback Grossman was effective enough in leading Chi-town to a win. A very good first step for the former Florida Gator. He only hopes his career doesn't turn south like the career of his former coach, Washington's Steve Spurrier. The student shows the teacher what he's learned as the Bears knock off the Redskins.
Baltimore at Cleveland - W
The 295 yard performance by Ravens running back Jamal Lewis remains fresh in the minds of the Cleveland defense. Extra preparation went into this contest, including rigging the field with booby traps to trip up Lewis if he breaks free for a long run. Lewis will cause enough damage to put his Ravens ahead to stay.
New York Giants at Dallas - W
I don't know if it's honorable that Jim Fassell is going to stick out the last two games of the season or a waste of his time considering he and the rest of his Giants players knowing Fassell is fired at the end of the season. It puts a cloud over the team and possibly ruins the team's fighting spirit. Rallying around the coach won't happen as the despondent Giants wilt to the Cowboys.
Tennessee at Houston - W
It must be some kind of hex that was put on any quarterback that starts for Tennessee. It's one thing that Steve McNair is always hurt. But now back-up Billy Volek, after his first start, is already done for the year thanks to a lacerated spleen. See, that's how you know there's a curse when a player is knocked out with an odd injury. Neil O'Donnell, I hope you have insurance. Despite all the bumps and bruises, the Titans persevere and hold off the Texans.
New Orleans at Jacksonville - W
League-mandated security checkpoints will be expanded for this game. All fans will be subjected to pat downs, bag inspections, and metal detectors upon entry to the stadium. The players must go through the same thing, although this is for entry onto the field. Wide out Joe Horn won't have any props for a touchdown celebration and he won't get any after this game as the Jaguars blanket him and the Saints in a suffocating win.
Cincinnati at St. Louis - W
The win for the Bengals was the first in franchise history that they won when the opponent scored 38 points or more. It's comforting to win a shootout, but you're always vulnerable when reloading. The Rams' rapid-fire automatic offense isn't out of ammo and blast Cincy.
San Diego at Pittsburgh - L
Sitting for a couple of weeks maybe was the right thing to do for Chargers quarterback Drew Brees as he returned to starting with a 300-yard effort in a losing cause. Beating Green Bay is a tall task for a rehabbing QB. The next step is to take out a lesser team, which the Steelers qualify as. Brees and the Chargers storm Heinz Field for a win.
San Francisco at Philadelphia - L
A match-up of two prolific offenses versus generous defenses. Philly head coach Andy Reid should limit the number of passes he asks quarterback Donovan McNabb throws considering how well he has played since recovering fully from his early season injury. As long as a balance offensive approach is used, the Eagles outlast the 49ers.
Arizona at Seattle - W
The Seahawks went down fighting in St. Louis, but it is yet another road loss for Seattle. For any chance to reach the playoffs, the 'Hawks must win their next two games, including a season finale on the road. The Seahawks dispose of the Cardinals, setting the table for the most important game played in Whatever Stadium.
Denver at Indianapolis - L
Sports Illustrated cover curse? Phooey! Indy ain't hearing that! The way they see it, it's a sign of well earned respect. But it also works as good motivation. Broncos head coach Mike Shannahan put an issue in every players' locker for all to see. Unfortunately film study wasn't productive as the players read the magazine by the light of the projector. This will be a night for the Colts to shine.
Green Bay at Oakland - Monday Night - W
Are the Raiders allowed to be up this late? Don't they usually go to bed after watching replays of The Golden Girls and Matlock? By the third quarter, Oakland should be dead tired and won't offer much resistance as the Packers run through the Raiders.
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Super Bowl XXXVIII