The NFL 2003 Season
by Ivette Ricco, President of Femmefan.com

December 28, 2003

The 2003 NFL regular season ended today and the last week of regular football was true to form, top seeds upset by cellar dwellers.

The most serious damage was caused by the lowly Lions who took apart the "Greatest Show on Turf" and fed raw Bulger to their hungry Lions. The loss prevented the Rams from getting home-field advantage - a serious blow to a team known for its ability to play in its cozy dome.

The Vikings of 2003 looked ever so "Yikes-like" and once again ended their season with the standard death gurgle. The Cardinals bit the Vikings right in the jugular on a last second come from behind win. Somehow the Vikings continue to play uninspired at the worst possible times in spite of Mike Tice's leadership.

The surprising Bengals were upended by the Browns and lost their bid to make the playoffs and win their division, but their fans must be very happy with the way Marvin Lewis has resurrected this franchise. Corey Dillon is expected to look for greener pastures now that Rudi Johnson has become the "man".

The Colts won a squeaker to take the AFC South title interestingly enough, on the foot of, "our liquored-up idiot kicker" Mike Vanderjagt. Last season's sniping didn't keep the team from playing well although they were very nearly upset by the Texans.

It has been another NFL season chock full of surprises and upsets. The reigning Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers did an unflattering "face plant" ending the season at 7-9. The 2002 AFC Champion Raiders completely imploded in a very public way ending their season with one of the worst records in their history 4-12. Not to mention the non-stop drama emanating from Alameda all year long, such as Romo's attack on a fellow player, Al Davis legal battles, Grand Jury testimony regarding steroid-use, the head coach's "dumbest team in America" comment, and more story lines than Playmakers, needless to say this team needs a real overhaul.

Fans will continue to follow the NFL as more than ever no single franchise can control a division. On the one hand it must be noted that the league no longer has "marquee" players playing on dynasty teams. So every dog can have its day. But on the other hand, the casual and occasional football fan will need a program to keep up with the rotating cast of characters as players bounce from team to team. Perhaps since fans are less willing to invest in team jerseys bearing the number and name of a player who will likely move to another team; there should be disposable jerseys or jerseys with removable names and numbers.

NFL owners are now relying on the abilities of their head coach to build a team, create a philosophy and a strategy, develop scouting criteria, as well as being mentors, bosses, teachers, counselors, strategists and organizers. It's a lot to ask and for that reason good coaches are now being sought as aggressively as free agent players used to be.

So let's prepare ourselves for more coaching changes, more of our favorite players changing uniforms and many new faces on the sidelines as coaching changes occur.

The 2003 Playoffs:

Wild Card Weekend
Saturday January 3, 2003

Tennessee at Baltimore
The Titans don't have a great running game, but they do have a good defense and Steve McNair. McNair is banged up, but that never seems to stop him. The Ravens have a great running game and Anthony Wright at quarterback with a great defense. This is a tough call, but I like the Titans' persistence and maturity.

Pick: Titans

Dallas at Carolina
Here are two teams no one expected to see in the playoffs and certainly no one expected the Panthers to win their division while the Bucs went home to pout. The Boys are becoming another Bill Parcells success story. Neither team has a steady quarterback, DelHomme vs. Carter, but the defense on both these teams are clicking. This is a close call, but I'm going with the Panthers to send the Boys home early.

Pick: Panthers

Sunday January 4, 2003
Seattle at Green Bay
These two teams got in by the skin on their chinny-chin chin. Both quarterbacks (Favre - Packer and Hasslebeck - Seahawks) are playing very well, and the running game is making things a lot easier for them (Ahman Green - Packers, Shaun Alexander - Packers). The Seahawks have struggled on the road, and although Lambeau Field is no longer the mystical home field advantage it once was, I like the Packers and their emotional quarterback in this game.

Pick: Packers

Denver at Colts
The Broncos can play well enough to beat anyone, and the Colts can play bad enough to lose to anyone. The Colts should win this game, should is the operative word here.

Pick: Colts

Agree? Disagree?

Click here to tell us who you like on this Wild Card Weekend

 

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