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.
A second straight week without a catch was too much for wide receiver Jerry Rice. It was the third game this season he went without a reception, but this time he wasn't even thrown at. That is excruciatingly frustrating for a man that re-wrote the record books. Rice wanted out of Oakland, and respectfully they fulfilled his wish, sending him to a team that could use him better.
What's surprising about this trade is that Seattle got the all-time leader in several receiving records and a guaranteed Hall of Famer when he retires for just a conditional seventh round pick. For that price, the Raiders gave Rice away as if they were the Peace Corps.
So what do the Seahawks get by acquiring Rice? For one, a player who isn't who he used to be. Rice doesn't have the speed to stretch the field, which might be why he wasn't valued in Oakland. But Rice can find soft spots in zones and keep the chains moving. Seattle will need Rice with Koren Robinson possibly facing a four-game suspension for a third violation of the NFL substance abuse policy.
Once Robinson returns, where does Rice fit? Darrell Jackson is the other starter and Bobby Engram is the third wide out. Passes thrown Rice's way once the receiving corps is whole likely will decrease.
Rice's biggest contribution could be any positive impressions he could make on the other wide outs. If he can teach them better concentration to reduce drops, it could be the biggest impact Rice makes on his new teammates. If Rice makes good on all potential positives, this trade is a steal. The only negative is Rice wearing 80. He should had left the number that was retired in honor of Steve Largent alone out of respect.
Rice isn't the only receiver sent to a new team. Dallas traded Antonio Bryant straight up to Cleveland for Quincy Morgan. This trade could be a wash. Compare the stats at the end of the season to see who got the better of the deal.
But San Diego looks like a winner for giving up a third and a sixth round pick for Keenan McCardell. This trade signifies a change in focus for the Chargers. They are trying for the playoffs and need to improve a passing attack led by tight end Antonio Gates and running back LaDanian Tomlinson. McCardell could be a huge lift for S.D. and his impact will be even bigger with the loss of Reche Caldwell for the season.
This hasn't been a lost season for me. Another 8-6 week is a step in the right direction, but I want to extend my stride.
Buffalo at Baltimore - L
Talk about playing with one hand tied behind one's back. The Ravens do that every week, thanks to a very inefficient passing attack that ranks at the bottom of the league. Now they have to win without 43 percent of their offense due to the suspension of running back Jamal Lewis. It's too much for the defense to support and the Ravens collapse to the Bills in the Upset of the Week.
San Diego at Carolina - W
S.D. knows all about falling hard after a trip to the Super Bowl. They haven't recovered since their trip back in 1995. They could try to comfort the 'Lina players, but no one on the San Diego roster remains from the S.B. team so they can't relate. This will be another dagger in the heart of the Panthers delivered by the Chargers.
Philadelphia at Cleveland - W
Philly wide out Terrell Owens just won't leave former teammate and current Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia alone. Owens already questioned Garcia's sexuality in a book and and continues talking about it during interviews. Now Owens has stooped so low to using yo mama snaps. He should let his play do the talking when the Eagles crush Cleveland.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis - L
An injured ankle won't keep Jaguars' quarterback Byron Leftwich out of the lineup. To avoid a re-enactment from his Marshall days when offensive linemen carried Leftwich to the line of scrimmage, a conveyor belt was installed down the middle of the field of Alltell Stadium. It will be ready when Leftwich gets back home, but he'll carry the pain of a Colts loss back with him.
Atlanta at Kansas City - L
For all of his athletic ability, quarterback Michael Vick has been sacked 20 times already this season. None of which from the halftime segment during Monday Night Football. Vick will go down a couple or more times under the Chiefs pass rush, but Vick will get away enough times the lead the Falcons out of K.C. with a win.
St. Louis at Miami - L
This is the first 0-6 start in the history of the Dolphins. They won't do much to avoid setting a new all-time low 0-7 start as the Rams storm through Miami.
Tennessee at Minnesota - W
Will the Vikings offense suffer without receiver Randy Moss? Based on the fact that Q.B. Daunte Culpepper passed for more than 300 yards with Moss out of the game last week indicates Minnesota will be all right without their premiere offensive weapon. Moss can chill and watch the Vikings put the boots to the Titans.
Detroit at New York Giants - L
There's a very good two-part explanation for why Giants running back Tiki Barber found a cure for his fumble-itis. First he carries the ball higher on his body instead of the typical on the gut technique. Secondly, he's been told to think of the ball as a hot, succulent glazed ham because Tiki just loves his ham. Barber will be a big factor in the Giants devouring the Lions.
Chicago at Tampa Bay - W
The Bears' quarterback position is filled by sixty percent recycled players. In the last 100 games, eleven passers have started for Chi-town. Jonathan Quinn, who's played with three other teams, currently starts and is backed up by Chad Hutchinson of Dallas lore. And the Bears are considering Tim Couch. Well, one team's trash is another team's rubbish. The Buccaneers dump Chicago.
New York Jets at New England - W
The Jets defense is vastly improved from last year with better speed and is one of the top teams at creating turnovers. But they don't force fumbles to head coach Herman Edwards' liking. To improve that, he's added Alex Rodriguez to the coaching staff to teach the defnse his glove chop from the American League Championship Series. The Jets put up a good fight, but come up short against the Patriots.
Seattle at Arizona - L
True playoff teams win on the road. Seattle got in last year on the strength of their undefeated record at home because they won only two road games. They already lost at home so they need to make up for that loss. The Seahawks do so in Arizona by taking out the Cardinals.
Dallas at Green Bay - W
Ever since Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells complemented Pittsburgh rookie Ben Roethlisberger, he can't stop gushing about opposing players. Besides the typical kudos to quarterback Brett Favre, he gave props to running back Ahman Green for his choice of Batman as his favorite superhero, even though Parcells is a Aquaman kinda guy. Dallas could use some heroics but no one can save them from the Packers.
New Orleans at Oakland - L
There's a Raider way of doing things and now that Jerry Rice is gone, the players can let their hair down and truly represent the ideals of the team. Extra security has been added for their return. This should be a breakout game for the Raiders.
Denver at Cincinnati - Monday Night - L
Denver's new starting running back Reuben Droughns could set an NFL record if he runs for more than 175 yards against the Bengals' porous defense. Droughns should see holes the size of runways as the Broncos run away with this game.
Bye: Houston, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Washington
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