NFL 2002 Season Review

NFL 2002 Week 1

NFL Season Opens with the Giants Hosting the 49ers

The 2002 NFL season kicks off tonight with the league�s first-ever midweek national TV opener when the San Francisco 49ers visit the New York Giants on ESPN at 8:30 PM ET.

The game will be preceded by "NFL KICKOFF LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE," presented by New York City and the NFL. The event will be an unprecedented football and music festival that will honor the resilient spirit of New York and America. Performing in Times Square will be BON JOVI, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, and EVE with special guest ALICIA KEYS. Bon Jovi will then helicopter to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey where they will perform at halftime, with ESPN covering live.

NFL 2002 Week 1: So Far, So "Amazing"

The NFL kicked off its 83rd season this past week, and any way you slice it, it was exciting, unpredictable and just plain wild. USA Today said: "Amazing Sunday gives fans plenty to cheer -- or scream -- about"

Jets� Morton Sets NFL Kickoff TD Return Record

CHAD MORTON, kick returner for the New York Jets, today became the first player in NFL history to return kickoffs for touchdowns in regulation and overtime in a single game.

NFL 2002 Week 2

A Week of Heated and Meaningful Rivalries

PATS-JETS, COLTS-DOLPHINS, RAIDERS-STEELERS & EAGLES-REDSKINS COLLIDE

The participants may still be grouped in their old division, may have moved on to a new one, or may simply have a long and fractious history with each other. But for many teams in Week 2 of the NFL season, it�s back to the "old days."

"Every time we play them, it�s a personal vendetta," says New York Jets running back CURTIS MARTIN about his team�s opponent this week, the visiting Super Bowl XXXVI-champion New England Patriots. Martin could be describing the emotion in all of this week�s rivalry games.

One of the interesting themes of the Jets-Pats rivalry is the familiarity of the participants. These guys know each other. Fifteen players/coaches in Sunday�s game have bled Jets� green and Pats� blue.

NFL 2002 Week 3

Running Thru History: A Matter of Time for Emmitt Smith

It is something EMMITT SMITH has been thinking about for a long time.

Eclipsing one of his idols, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back WALTER PAYTON, and becoming the NFL�s all-time leading rusher, has been a long-time goal. And now, it is almost upon Emmitt Smith.

In his 13th season from Florida, Smith has rushed for 16,313 yards and needs 414 yards to surpass Payton as the NFL�s top career rusher. He will try to add to that total when the Cowboys travel to Philadelphia this Sunday for an NFC East meeting with the Eagles.

"The moment I break the record will mean a great deal to me," says Smith. "You play the game because you love it and you strive to win championships. You set individual goals that are intertwined with team goals, and the all-time rushing record is one of them. It will mean a great deal to me. I can�t even begin to explain how great the �great deal� is."

There will be one battle of unbeatens, and four of "almost-unbeatens."

That�s the lineup for Week 3 in the NFL, where already the surprises abound.

The Chargers and Panthers, who between them won six games last year, have already won four. The Rams, who went to Super Bowl in 2001, haven�t won yet. And the Patriots, who lost their first two last year yet won the Super Bowl, haven�t lost yet.

NFL 2002 Week 4

SEVEN SPORT SPOTLESS RECORDS; BREES FACES BRADY IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS

The seven unbeaten teams are the most after three weeks in a season since nine in 1998. Four of them have followed the turnaround that seems so typical of the NFL these days. Oakland lost its last three games last season and has won its first two. New Orleans lost its last four last year and has won its first three. San Diego lost its last nine in 2001 and has won its first three. And Carolina -- so far, the turnaround king -- lost its last 15 last year and has won its first three.

"We can�t worry about wins," says wary Chargers wide receiver-kick returner TIM DWIGHT. "We�re 0-0. Just keep the blinders on, man."

Cleveland Browns to to face the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 100th time

On Sunday the Cleveland Browns (2-1) travel 132 miles to Pittsburgh (0-2) to face the Steelers for the 100th time (including one playoff game). The Browns-Steelers rivalry will become the AFC's first to reach 100 meetings and is the 11th NFL series to do so all-time. Sunday's milestone meeting will determine whether the Steelers can rebound from consecutive losses or if the Browns can widen their AFC North first-place cushion.

NFL 2002 Week 5

NFL 2002 Week 5: WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS WEEK?

Only four weeks into the season, it seems like a year�s worth of highlights have already exploded. In the past week alone, there were pulsating finishes five-touchdown performances and 108-yard missed field-goal returns. You know -- just your normal NFL week.

NFL 2002 Week 6

NFL 2002 Week 6: NFL SCORING AT 44-YEAR HIGH; SHOULD STAY THAT WAY

"I don't think we�ve ever seen the game played in a more exciting manner then we're seeing right now," says former Denver Broncos linebacker/ESPN commentator TOM JACKSON. "Wide open runs, interceptions, and defenses scoring touchdowns. We're seeing a little bit of everything."

That�s certainly the case with the NFL�s last unbeaten team, the 4-0 Oakland Raiders. "Da R-a-a-i-i-ders" -- off to their first 4-0 start since 1990 -- lead the league in points per game with a 40.5 average.

NFL 2002 Week 6: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are once again proving the old football axiom true -- defense wins games.

Through the first five weeks of the season, the Buccaneers� defense has surrendered an NFL-best 53 points, leading the club to a 4-1 record and a share of first place in the NFC South. When Tampa Bay returns home on Sunday to face the Cleveland Browns, the team will seek to join the 1979 and 1997 Bucs with 5-1 starts.

NFL 2002 Week 6: DUNGY LED COLTS STAND ATOP AFC SOUTH

A stylish 3-1 record with a new outlook under new head coach TONY DUNGY has earned Indianapolis a seat among the NFL�s 2002 elite.

NFL 2002 Week6: NFL Trading Deadline Tuesday

Ten years ago, RON WOLF pulled off one of the best trades in NFL history -- acquiring BRETT FAVRE for the Green Bay Packers for a first-round draft choice.

Meanwhile, everybody says "there are no more big trades in the NFL anymore."

Well, the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins certainly would not agree with that theory. Trades that these clubs engineered this year are paying handsome dividends.

NFL 2002 Week 7

NFL 2002 Week 7: THE CRAZINESS CONTINUES AS DIVISION FOES & FAMILIAR RIVALS MEET

"There�s a lot of football left. We�ll see what happens." says Green Bay Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE.

Will we ever, starting this week, where among the highlight games are division battles and meetings between familiar foes. "Familiar foes"? Take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Philadelphia Eagles, who�ve played each other so much recently, they could be in the same division.

NFL 2002 Week 8

NFL 2002: EMMITT SMITH BECOMES NFL ALL-TIME RUSHING LEADER

"I don't know what to say. Today was a very special day, very special for a number of reasons. Obviously, individually. But when you think about the individual accomplishment that occurred today, I could not go on and just pat myself on the back, because so many people have been so inspirational in the whole process." -- Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys

Emmitt Smith's Career Statistics: Game by Game

NFL 2002 Week 8: Emmitt Smith: 93 Yards from History

It is something EMMITT SMITH has been thinking about for years, and now it is almost upon him. With 93 yards rushing against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday at Texas Stadium, Smith will eclipse one of his idols, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back WALTER PAYTON, and become the NFL�s all-time leading rusher.

"The moment I break the record will mean a great deal to me. You play the game because you love it and you strive to win championships. You set individual goals that are intertwined with team goals, and the all-time rushing record is one of them. It will mean a great deal to me. I can�t even begin to explain how great the �great deal� is."

NFL 2002 Week 8: Cards - Niners Battle for First Highlights Big Division Weekend

The first "new rivalry" in the realigned NFL may be ready to hatch. While everyone wanted to hold on to some of the great NFL rivalries like Bears-Packers or Cowboys-Redskins when the league realigned this year, it was thought that as the season(s) progressed, new rivalries would develop. Week 8 presents a good example of a new rivalry -- the Cardinals and the 49ers. That�s the NFC West tied-for-first Cardinals and 49ers. The teams have played 21 times (the 49ers lead 12-9), but this is the first meeting as division rivals.

NFL 2002 Week 9

NFL 2002 (Week 9): BUFFALO�S BLEDSOE TAKES ON PATRIOTS FOR FIRST TIME

This Sunday, DREW BLEDSOE faces his former team for the first time since the New England Patriots traded him to its division rival Buffalo Bills. The Super Bowl XXXVI-champion Patriots have lost four in a row.

NFL 2002 (Week 9): RESURGENT RAMS SEEK TO NARROW GAP IN NFC WEST

Is the Greatest Show on Turf Back on Track? Rested and ready after a bye in Week 8, the St. Louis Rams will aim to continue their resurgence this Sunday as they travel to the desert to face the Arizona Cardinals in a key NFC West Division showdown.

NFL 2002 (Week 9): SEASON HITS MID-POINT WITH RACES TIGHT

NFL 2002 Week 10

NFL 2002 (Week 10): SEASON�S SECOND HALF BEGINS AND THE SURPRISES KEEP COMING

The only thing constant in the National Football League is that "On Any Given Sunday ..." the surprises will just keep on coming. So as the second half of the season begins, it will only be a question from who the surprises will come from.

NFL 2002 Week 11

TITANS RIDING FOUR-GAME WIN STREAK, EYE PLAYOFFS FOR THIRD TIME IN FOUR YEARS

Tennessee has won four consecutive games to tie the Indianapolis Colts (5-4) for a share of the AFC South�s front seat. A win-column figure matching the size of their name is what the Titans have been accustomed to in recent years. Since Week 1 of 1999, only the St. Louis Rams (41-16, .719) have tasted victory more often than Tennessee (38-19, .667). The team aims for its third playoff berth in four years.

FALCONS SOARING AS SAINTS COME MARCHING IN

It�s the second installment of the NFL�s "Family Feud" this Sunday as cousins MICHAEL VICK of the Atlanta Falcons and AARON BROOKS of the New Orleans Saints square off in a key NFC South division showdown at the Georgia Dome. And if the encore is even close to the first act between the teams, fans across the nation can expect non-stop excitement.

NFL 2002 Week 12

CHARGERS-DOLPHINS: GROUND SERVICE DELIVERING WINS

Represented by lightning bolts and sea-dwelling mammals, the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins are massive land roamers. However, unlike extinct wooly mammoths and mastodons, these two AFC clubs show evidence of thriving as the NFL season evolves. When the Chargers (7-3) travel to Miami (6-4) this weekend, one team will stride closer to a playoff berth.

GIANTS SEEK FOURTH WIN IN ROW; AIM TO KEEP PRESSURE
ON FIRST-PLACE EAGLES IN NFC EAST

When the New York Giants fell to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles 17-3 on Monday Night Football three weeks ago, many counted the Big Blue as an afterthought in the NFC playoff race. But in the always unpredictable NFL, the Giants have reversed their fortunes and are in the hunt for their second NFC East championship in the past three years.

GREEN BAY AT TAMPA BAY, SAN DIEGO AT MIAMI PUT SUNDAY's FOCUS ON FLORIDA

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, things are getting really serious. "Now the season begins," says head coach TOM COUGHLIN of the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of many clubs in the hunt for the 12 NFL playoff berths as Week 12 arrives. "It�s a six-game schedule."

One club this week, the 8-2 Green Bay Packers, can become the first team to make the 2002 playoffs. With a Packers win in Tampa Bay and a Minnesota loss or tie in New England, Green Bay clinches the NFC North Division.

For the Packers to earn that division title, they have to go through a venue they�ve visited many times before, but after this week, should not see again until 2008 -- Tampa Bay and that cannon-firing pirate ship.

NFL 2002 Week 14

NFL 2002 WEEK 14: DECEMBER�S HERE AND SO ARE THE FINAL FOUR WEEKS IN THE RACE TO THE PLAYOFFS

The temperature may be dropping, but the pressure is heating up. It�s December -- that cold, cruel, final NFL month. Four weeks to go to see who goes. But who knows what will happen? This is the NFL, where anything goes. "This league is as crazy as it gets," says former NFL lineman and present FOX-TV analyst BILL MAAS.

NFL 2002 WEEK 14: DOLPHINS SALUTE "PERFECT SEASON" MONDAY NIGHT; RETIRE LARRY CSONKA�S NUMBER

In its 30th anniversary year, the Miami Dolphins� "PERFECT SEASON" will be celebrated at halftime of the Dolphins� game Monday night against the Chicago Bears (ABC-TV, 9:00 PM ET).

The team will honor members of the NFL�s only unbeaten, untied team -- the 1972 Dolphins who went 17-0 -- and also retire the uniform number (39) of one of the club�s stalwarts of the �70s, fullback LARRY CSONKA.

THANKSGIVING GAMES KICK OFF WEEK; BUCS-SAINTS SUNDAY NIGHT, JETS-RAIDERS MONDAY NIGHT ROUND OUT WEEK AS NFL CHARGES INTO DECEMBER

First comes the turkey, then come the tiebreakers. Which means that the NFL -- if that�s possible this year -- is about to get even crazier. "It�s a five-game season," says St. Louis Rams wide receiver TORRY HOLT. And that "season" begins early this week with "Thanksgiving Classics."

That festive theme will be featured throughout Week 13 in everything from classic uniforms worn by the four teams that play on Thanksgiving Day, to on-field logos, to "Thanksgiving Classics" game balls and advertising. It all begins with the traditional "family and football" games this Thursday in Detroit and Dallas.

HARRIS POLL: NFL NATION�S TOP SPORT

A new Harris Poll has shown again what millions of American sports fans already know -- pro football is the country�s favorite sport. And its lead over the second most popular sport -- baseball -- has increased since 1985. In fact, the NFL is more popular than the next two sports combined.

Harris polled adults over 18 and asked them the question:
"If you had to choose, which sport would you say is your favorite?"

- 27 percent chose the NFL
- 14 percent chose Major League Baseball
- 11 percent chose the NBA
- 10 percent chose auto racing.

The NFL and baseball were virtually even in 1985 (NFL, 24 percent; baseball, 23 percent). In 1994, the separation between the two was seven points (24 to 17). As Newsweek recently stated in describing yet another topsy-turvy NFL season, "There may be no rhyme or reason to pro football, but there�s magic, mystery and mayhem. What more can a fan want?"

Want to know why the prolate spheroid with cylindrical symmetry -- in other words, a football -- takes such funny bounces? Or why Newton�s Third Law says the force a small player exerts on a large player equals the force the large player exerts on the small player? Or why, exactly, players run faster on turf than grass? Click on to NFL.com, and then link to NFLFilmsTV.com for �The Physics of Football,� a fascinating program that is broadcast overseas for those first learning about the game. Thanks to the magic of the internet, the show is available in the U.S. It is hosted by DR. TIMOTHY GAY, a former offensive tackle at the California Institute of Technology who is now a physics professor at Nebraska. The good doctor, whose mantra is to always �get something new� onto the show, delves into all aspects of the physics of football -- why, for instance, some punts have more hang time than others, or why spirals stabilize a football�s flight. And why do players run faster on turf? It�s called the �coefficient of restitution.� On grass, a player�s feet sink in. They don�t on turf, therefore enabling a player to spend his energy on pure running, rather than wasting it on lifting his feet out of the softer grass. Hey, it�s physics!