These are the picks for the 2004 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.
After the league whets our appetites on Thursday, the NFL season kicks off in full force on Sunday. Many will set up a solo camp in front of their big screen televisions with the necessities: Beer, pizza, and various forms of chips. Others will invite friends over for the game with a wider spread in anticipation for an afternoon of celebrations and arguments.
But for the lucky hundreds of thousands fans, they will be in sold out stadiums, cheering in unison with 60,000-plus fans for their favorite team or giving a hard time to the audacious group that showed up wearing opposing colors.
That has to be one of the best atmospheres to be immersed in. If it's an open-air stadium, it gets no better than that. The freshly cut grass, the cheerleaders, the warm breeze, and watching all 34 flags flap in the wind.
Yes, 34 flags. You do the math: One for every team in the league makes 32, one flag displaying the NFL shield ups the total to 33, and a big bright yellow flag representing the referees for the 34th. Not that it has a permanent location atop the stadium, but that laundry will be flashed enough times to create the illusion.
This year, the NFL will once again say we will be tougher when it comes to penalties. This time the league is telling the zebras to enforce the 5-yard chuck rule by the letter of the law.
This is the rule that states that a defender can make contact with an offensive receiver five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Any contact beyond that is illegal and is punishable by penalty. Based upon the preseason, it looks like the refs and the league mean business.
These adjustments to how the games will be called comes on the heels of Super Bowl victories in two of the last three years by a borderline abusive New England Patriots defense. They did nothing short of pulling brass knuckles out of their jocks during those playoff runs. Not the the league is making an example out of New England, but surely there's a few examples from the Pats' playoff run included in the training video.
What the league hopes is that it shifts the balance of power a little more towards the offense because defenders can't get away with their little tricks and ultimately brings up scoring. I won't argue that. Teams with quick, precise route-running receivers will have opportunities for great seasons without someone holding on to the back of their jersey or bodying them on every pass play.
But if the rule is going be interpreted by the letter, then it will be like giving the offense extra help. Minor contact will draw penalties: Obstructing the receiver during a route: Flag. Maintaining hand contact: Flag. Chicken-fighting on a deep route (the defender and receiver slapping at each other's hands as they run downfield): Flag. Smoothing out the wrinkles on a jersey: Flag. Tickling: Flag. Yet it would be legal to tackle a player by his dreadlocks. Makes perfect sense.
A lot of cheap calls will go in favor of offensive players during the course of the season. I cringe to see a play that seems ticky-tack get the handkerchief treatment for receivers crying for a penalty. It's very possible some of these calls will ultimately decide games. I hope that doesn't mean every Hail Mary will be followed by a yellow veil.
Truth be told, the NFL can encourage the officials to call games by the book but the contact rule will still be a judgement call. Some refs will allow a little more than others. And come playoff time, the rules will be even more relaxed.
For now, think of these numerous penalties as opportunities for another chip or sip because there likely will be a lot of flags flying.
Indianapolis at New England - Thursday - W
To drive home the point of the emphasis about the 5-yard chuck rule, all of the Indy receivers will wear red no-contact jerseys to remind the NE secondary the Colts can't be touched during their routes anymore. New England will play by the rules because there's more than one way to skin a horse. The Patriots scheme their way to victory.
Arizona at St. Louis - L
It's supposed to be a new chapter for St. Louis as they move on without Kurt Warner. It won't be a happy beginning. QB Marc Bulger, who threw as many interceptions as touchdowns last year, throws away this game as the Cardinals, coached by Dennis Green, pull off the Upset of the Week.
Baltimore at Cleveland - L
You've heard the phrase, "The game within the game," right? For this match-up, everyone will want to hear the verbal sparring that will take place B-more's Deion Sanders and Cleveland's Kellen Winslow Jr. Sanders will get the last word, much like his Ravens, who shut up the Browns offense.
Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets - W
We find out once and for all if Cincy's Carson Palmer is for real. There's a big difference between preseason and regular season and Palmer isn't quite ready to step up to the real thing. He won't embarrass himself, but the Jets will show Carson what the big time is all about.
Detroit at Chicago - W
Quarterback Joey Harrington. Wide outs Charles Rogers and Roy Williams. Running back Kevin Jones. Looks like they're building a high-octane offense in the Motor City. With all this horsepower, the Lions blow away the Bears.
Jacksonville at Buffalo - W
Buffalo already has a problem with depth at the quarterback position after injures to Travis Brown and J.P. Losman unable to relieve Drew Bledsoe if he gets hurt. The offense will take another hit when both running backs Travis Henry and Willis McGahee both get thrown out for fighting over carries. It's not so much that the Jaguars beat the Bills. Buffalo beats themselves.
Oakland at Pittsburgh - L
Can someone please shut up Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon? His virtually non-stop ranting about people doubting him is tired, and that's coming from somebody on the East Coast. Unfortunately Gannon begins proving his point as he leads the Raiders past Pittsburgh.
San Diego at Houston - W
As much as I believe rookie quarterback Phillip Rivers will make a great pro, I'm very glad to hear Drew Brees earned the starting job with SD. He wasn't given enough of a chance to develop. I wish him the best for his future, starting with a solid game against the Texans in a Chargers win.
Seattle at New Orleans - W
A strong showing in the playoffs last year and two key free agency acquisitions has a lot of experts on the jock of Seattle as possibly Super-Bowl bound. They won't get there without defense. Defensive end Grant Wistrom will make an impact but corner back Bobby Taylor might be on the downside of his career. Even without them, the Seahawks have enough to smoke the Saints.
Tampa Bay at Washington - L
It's the meeting of the two busiest teams in free agency. If they lined their training camp rosters side-by-side on opposite hills, it would look like the re-enactment of the grand battle scene in the movie Braveheart. Washington is still adjusting to head coach Joe Gibbs' systems so the edge goes to the Buccaneers.
Tennessee at Miami - W
Since the Dolphins front office couldn't pry running back Anthony Thomas from the Chicago Bears in the Adewale Ogunleye-for-Marty Booker trade, they snagged RB Lamar Gordon from St. Louis. Is this the best Miami can do with an extra eight million dollars? The smart money is on the Titans.
Atlanta at San Francisco - W
For anyone questioning the logic of the Falcons' coaches and their handling of quarterback Michael Vick in the preseason, the coaches know what they're doing. They gave him 29 on-field snaps in the preseason for safety reasons. The rest of his practice was spent playing Madden 2005 so Vick is familiar with new offense. San Fran offers little resistance as Vick and the Falcons play with the 49ers.
Dallas at Minnesota - W
Simply put, the AARP backfield of 90-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde and 75-year old running back Eddie George can't match the Vikings point for point.
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia - W
In last year's season opener, quarterback Kurt Warner had the worst game of his career on the road against the Giants. Do you remember? If you don't, it's gonna look something like this season opener except Warner is a Giant. The Eagles give Kurt a case of deja vu.
Kansas City at Denver - W
KC has the offense to win games and get to the playoffs, but don't have the defense to win championships. To remedy the Achilles' heel, they hired a new defensive coordinator in Gunther Cunningham and he simplified the playbook. But they didn't change parts. That's like changing the oil in an economy car and expecting a 50 horsepower boost. The Broncos' engines will be hummin' on both sides of the ball as they truck the Chiefs.
Green Bay at Carolina - Monday Night - L
When you reach the Super Bowl for the first time in your team's history, you go from being regionally televised to hosting on Monday Night Football. But the players won't let the stardom get to their heads. They'll arrive to the stadium in stretch pickup trucks. 'Lina remains a blue collar team, though the collar is pressed and iron, and the Panthers will work hard for this win.
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