These are the picks for the 2004 season. 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.
It was very respectful for the NFL to honor former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman across the league with the special "40" decal on every helmet during week two. Coaches participated as well, wearing similar pins on their shirts or jackets. For a player that turned down a lucrative contract to fight for the country and made the ultimate sacrifice, it was the least the league could do to show respect for Tillman.
Apparently it's only the least the NFL would do. For just that one weekend, all teams had to participate. But by the next week, all players not playing for Arizona must have the decal removed.
But that's not all. If you play for any of the other 31 teams in the league, they are told not to wear the decal. San Francisco linebackers Derek Smith of San Francisco and New England's Tedy Bruschi both have been told they can not continue to wear it or they would be fined $5,000.
It's nothing personal the league says. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello cited a longstanding NFL policy that prohibits such personal messages on uniforms. They came after Jim McMahon during his Chicago Bears days for wearing headbands with logos. After Johnny Unitas died, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning wanted to wear black high tops in honor of the former Colt great. The league said no because Unitas played his career in Baltimore and Indianapolis couldn't show their respect for questionably the greatest player in their history. Even recently, with players' fashions always changing, from do-rags to performance apparel under their uniforms, the league first told players they couldn't wear those things before coming out with similar gear with the "NFL Apparel" logo.
Threats of fines won't stop everybody. Denver's Jake Plummer, a teammate of Tillman's at Arizona State and with the Cardinals, is holding his ground and declaring to wear his decal for the remainder of the season and damn the fine. Plummer should be applauded for his steadfastness.
The league enforces strict uniform standards from having the jersey tucked in to having socks pulled up. But what's wrong with an individual continuing to pay respects to a player who died for the players, coaches, and executives of the league? Just for the rest of the season, any player should have the choice to continue paying respect to Tillman.
As for me, I gets no respect for a .500 week. 7-7 ain't gonna cut it out here.
New England at Buffalo - W
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is getting a lot of flak for being in print ads for Gap clothing. They keep asking Brady if he's gonna come out with his own line of clothing next. If he does, the Bills have the perfect mannequin: Drew Bledsoe. The pocket-passer stands still enough to be sacked eight times in two games already. Bledsoe will notch a few more as the Patriots bag Bledsoe.
Philadelphia at Chicago - W
The Chic-Ow!-go Bears. No other way to say it. They are hurtin' as a team. Quarterback Rex Grossman and safety Mike Brown are both done for the season and other key players are hobbled. Finding wins won't be easy in this condition. The Eagles bring the pain.
Washington at Cleveland - L
Joe Gibbs wasn't happy after the Monday night game. The Redskins coach was bothered by some of the non-calls by the officials on a couple of plays that could had turned the game around for Washington. But what bothered Gibbs more than was owner Daniel Snyder offering him to hire a time outs coach. If the calls are right, the Redskins will be all right against the Browns.
New York Giants at Green Bay - L
When's the last time someone used tomfoolery in a sentence? If it was Scrabble, Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey deserves bonus points. But he's in New York. That's a fine. Before talking, Shockey should perform better. Performance shouldn't be a problem for the Packers as they knock off N.Y.
Oakland at Houston - L
For those who noticed, Texans quarterback David Carr now sports longer locks flowin' from his dome. He made an agreement with his father to not cut his hair until Houston wins two consecutive games. Don't schedule an appointment with a barber this week. Carr-di-locks keeps the hair after a defeat at the hands of the Raiders.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville - W
For the first time in over a year, the Jaguars allowed a 100-yard rusher. That's one heck of an accomplishment, but it's the secondary that will be put to the test. The front seven won't be able to get to Indy's Peyton Manning quick enough as the Colts torch the Jags through the air.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh - L
Congrats to rookie QB Ben Rothlisberger on winning his first start. He deserves extra credit for playing through heavy rains in Miami. Next up is getting through the swirling winds in Heinz Field. Rothlisberger must wait for winter to deal with hardened earth and for a game to be relocated to the center of the earth to play in fire. It won't be the elements that get the better of the Steelers. It will be the Bengals.
New Orleans at Arizona - W
Fall short against St. Louis by seven. Fought tooth and nail against the reigning Super Bowl champions. Held Atlanta to just six points but could only muster three points of their own. So close. One of these days 'Zona will come out on top. The Saints have a porous defense so this may be the time. I'm taking the Cardinals for the Upset of the Week.
Atlanta at Carolina - W
Many believe that 'Lina will use a five-man defensive line, like Arizona did so effectively the week before to keep Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick under wraps for most of the game. One idea that was scrapped was imbedding a chip under Vick's skin and using GPS to track him down. The Panthers won't be quick enough to catch Vick and the Falcons.
New York Jets at Miami - W
Things are fallin' apart in Miami. First it was Jay Fiedler. After one week it was A.J. Feely. Now it's back to Fiedler at quarterback. There's so much flip-flopping goin' on that you'd think the Dolphins were being coached by John Kerry. With the Fins' house in disorder, the Jets drop Miami.
Tennessee at San Diego - W
S.D. quarterback Drew Brees has two choices. He can either look over his shoulder or he can put his focus on the door. Rookie Phillip Rivers has climbed up to second on the depth chart behind Brees. Does Drew feel Rivers' breathing down on his neck? Maybe, but Brees should have enough focus to lead the Chargers past the Titans.
Denver at Tampa Bay - W
Michael Pittman's timing couldn't be better. With the Buccaneers offense struggling, he could be the boost T.B. needs. Unfortunately the Bucs' O needs a boost the strength of Red Bull mixed with a double cappuccino expresso to lift the offense. The Broncos get their legs back under themselves and trample the Buccaneers.
St. Louis at San Francisco - W
Hard to imagine that after three weeks, St. Louis is yet to force a turnover. It's so bad that an possible interception went through the hands of safety Aeneas Williams for a touchdown. San Fran will give the Rams plenty of chances for their first turnover as the 49ers virtually give the game away.
Kansas City at Baltimore - Monday Night - L
K.C.'s defense claims to be gaining confidence after slowing down the 22nd rushing offense? They think they're turning the corner after restraining in spurts the 12th passing offense? Geez, do these guys also believe that there's still weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Get real. They won't be talking like this after the Ravens roll over the Chiefs.
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