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FOR USE AS DESIRED 2002: AS GOOD AS IT GETSIf anything could happen, it did happen – and then reversed itself the next week! There’s no real way of quantifying it, but if 2002, the NFL’s 83rd season, was not the most unpredictable and exciting year in the league’s long history, it must have been a close second. “This has been a crazy season,” says New York Giants linebacker MIKE BARROW. You got that right, Mike. There were numerous super performances, both in individual games and over the course of the entire season. Teams went on winning streaks, then losing streaks as long as their winning streaks, then seemed to repeat the whole process all over again. Every week seemed to outdo the previous one for craziness. And into the playoffs streaked a host of hot teams. Perhaps nothing symbolized the excitement of 2002 more than the AFC playoff race. Into Week 16 careened 14 of the 16 teams, all elbowing each other furiously for a postseason berth. That situation – a conference with no playoff teams with two weeks to go – had not happened in 15 years (1987) and only five times before since the 16-game schedule began in 1978. “The NFL is crazy, man,” says Oakland Raiders wide receiver TIM BROWN. How that craziness played out in 2002: IN 2002… · Games averaged 43.3 points, the highest average in 19 years (43.7, 1983). · Games averaged 656.7 yards, the most in seven years (657.8, 1995). · The passing game exploded. Quarterbacks attempted more passes than ever – 17,292 – and there were 79 300-yard passing games, one less than the most ever in a season (80, 1995). · Quarterback accuracy was uncanny. The league-wide completion percentage was 59.6, the highest ever. · There were 11,097 points scored, the most ever in an NFL season. · Touchdowns set a record. There were 1,270, the most ever in a season. · The return game provided excitement and touchdowns. There were 39 combined kick-return TDs, the most ever in a season. A season record was set for punt-return touchdowns – 22. · A record number of games – 25 -- went into overtime, breaking the 1995 mark of 21. · Comebacks were common I: There were 31 games in which teams came back from 10 point-or-more deficits to win, and a record 17 games in which clubs overcame fourth-quarter 10-point margins to win. · Comebacks were common II: Eight of the 12 2002 playoff teams spent at least part of the season below .500. Six bounced back from season-opening losses to reach the playoffs. The Jets and Titans came back from 1-4 starts. Those eight teams shattered the record of five teams reaching the playoffs after being below .500 (1980 and 1982). · Games were “thisclose.” More than half of NFL games continued to be decided by eight points or less:
· “Hot teams” made the playoffs: From Thanksgiving weekend, the unofficial kickoff to the playoff race, the 12 playoff clubs of 2002 were a combined 42-17. That’s a .712 winning clip……Almost every one of the 12 was on some sort of winning streak entering the playoffs, led by Tennessee at 10-1. Oakland was 7-1, Philadelphia 6-1, and three teams – the New York Giants and Jets, and Tampa Bay – were on 7-2 streaks. Indianapolis led the others at 6-2……Combined, the 12 compiled a 125-64-2 season record – a .660 winning percentage……For the sixth consecutive year, at least five new clubs made the playoffs. This year, it’s Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, the New York Giants and Tennessee.
IT STARTED WILD…AND STAYED THAT WAY KICKOFF 2002 WEEKEND wasn’t a hint of things to come, it was a full-blown bellow that screamed “get ready for 17 weeks of bedlam!” The season kicked off on Thursday night, September 5 when hundreds of thousands of NFL fans rocked along with the likes of BON JOVI, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, EVE and ALICIA KEYS in “NFL KICKOFF LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE.” The event was broadcast nationally, and was followed by the first-ever midweek national TV NFL opener when the San Francisco 49ers met the New York Giants in New Jersey. The game was won by the 49ers on a 46-yard field goal with six seconds left – a definite sign of things to come. On Kickoff Weekend: · The 16 games averaged 49.3 points, the highest ever for an opening weekend. A total of 788 points were scored in all -- most ever for any weekend in NFL history. · There were 89 touchdowns scored, the most on a Kickoff Weekend since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. That total surpassed the 83 TDs of ’99 Kickoff Weekend. · There were three overtime games, tying Week 1 of 1979 for the most ever on a Kickoff Weekend. · Even with all the scoring, 11 out of the 16 games were decided by eight points or less – a Week 1 record -- 10 by seven points or less, and six by three points or less. · Five teams came back from double-digit deficits to win – the Bears, Chiefs, Jets, Packers and Titans. · Six games were decided in the final minute or overtime – San Francisco-NY Giants, Kansas City-Cleveland, and Minnesota-Chicago; and three overtimes – NY Jets-Buffalo, Atlanta-Green Bay and New Orleans-Tampa Bay. · New York Jets kick returner CHAD MORTON became the first player in a game to return kickoffs for a touchdown in regulation and overtime. · The HOUSTON TEXANS became only the second expansion team in history to win its first game (1961 Minnesota Vikings). · Six NFL head coaches won their debuts with their new teams – BILL CALLAHAN (Oakland), DOM CAPERS (Houston), TONY DUNGY (Indianapolis), JOHN FOX (Carolina), MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER (San Diego), and STEVE SPURRIER (Washington). “If you are in this league long enough, you will see everything,” said New Orleans head coach JIM HASLETT, whose club won in overtime on a touchdown off a botched punt. If you watched the NFL in ’02 long enough, you saw just
about everything… OUTSTANDING, RECORD-SETTING, PERFORMANCES No matter what the position, whether from Pro Bowl names or unknowns, the player stood out in the NFL in 2002. Some memorable, record-setting player performances this year:
And as Smith piled up the yards that day against visiting Seattle, it seemed easy to pinpoint within a couple of carries when he would break the record. Yet when he did it – at 9:28 of the fourth quarter on an 11-yard tumbling run that gave him 16,728 career yards – the expected became shocking and certainly memorable. Payton’s record had actually tumbled! When you witness history being made, you never forget it. That is how it will be for anyone watching Emmitt top Walter at Texas Stadium that day. “Once I broke the line of scrimmage, I knew that had to be the one,” said Smith of his history-setting run that looked like it could almost have gone for a touchdown. Smith broke Payton’s record in his 193rd career game, three more than Payton had played. He finished the season with 17,162 career rushing yards. In the game, Smith also scored his 150th career rushing touchdown, the first player in history to reach that total. Also in 2002, Smith: * Broke Payton’s NFL record for career rushing attempts on September 22 in Philadelphia when he had his 3,849th carry in the second quarter on a run off left tackle that gained two yards. . * Upped his career carries to 4,000 on December 8 against San Francisco.
After not exactly “knocking around” for 11 years in the NFL, but not being a verified starter, Gannon became one of the league’s top quarterbacks upon joining the Raiders in 1999, as this year and the Associated Press’ NFL Most Valuable Player Award more than proves. He’s not spectacular, but steady. Deadly steady. “Two of the biggest things for me are interceptions and completions,” says Gannon. “That’s what I really hang my hat on. We don’t throw a lot of interceptions. I try to lead the league every year in that category. Then the completions…if you can be up there high in that area, then you’re giving your team a chance.” In 2002, Gannon: * Led the NFL in attempts (618), completions (418) and passing yards (4,689). * Set a record for most 300-yard passing games in a season with 10, topping DAN MARINO’s nine in 1984. “I don’t focus on that or think about it because it means very little if you don’t win.” * Set an NFL single-game record by completing 21 consecutive passes on November 11 against Denver, breaking the mark of Cincinnati’s KEN ANDERSON (20) on January 2, 1983 vs. Houston. * Set an NFL record for most completions in a season (418), breaking the mark held by Houston’s WARREN MOON in 1991 (404). Became one of only three quarterbacks with 400 completions in a season, along with Moon and DREW BLEDSOE (400 in 1994). * Became the first quarterback in history to reach 4,000 yards in his first 13 games (December 8). * Threw the most completions in NFL history in a non-overtime game when he connected on 43 of 64 attempts on September 15 at Pittsburgh. * Threw for 350 yards in three consecutive games (September 15-October 6).
“The more I’m around him, the more I understand what most of the country has been missing for five years,” says Colts first-year head coach TONY DUNGY. “I’m more in awe in practice than I am in the game. You see it day after day. You kind of expect it on Sunday.” For consistency, Harrison’s 2002 season would be hard to match: * Broke the NFL record for most receptions in a season (143), surpassing the 123 of Detroit’s HERMAN MOORE in 1995. “I just catch them,” said Harrison, “I don’t count them.” * Recorded the most receptions in NFL history in a player’s first seven seasons – 665, breaking the mark held by STERLING SHARPE (595). The five players with the most catches in their first seven seasons:
* Became the first player in history with 100 receptions in four consecutive seasons, eclipsing the record he shared with Moore and JERRY RICE. * Became the first player in history to post 1,500 yards in consecutive seasons.
* Reached 600 catches in the fewest games of a career – 102, one full
season faster than the record-holder, * Broke RAYMOND BERRY’s franchise record (631) for career catches (665) and TD receptions (Harrison: 73; Berry: 68). * Became the only player in Colts history to record double-digit touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.
Thirty-three-year-old BRETT FAVRE, leading the Packers to their first division title since 1997, had a year quarterbacks 10 years his junior would envy. He excelled statistically, and artistically, turning in memorable comeback games and typical Favre-having-fun performances. “He is always alive,” says New York Jets head coach HERMAN EDWARDS. “You seem to have him contained and he breaks out of the pocket and throws one of those slingshots across the field. You really have to go after him and get after him. You can sack him and knock him down, and he just gets up and continues to play. He just likes playing football. He’s a fun guy to watch, especially if you’re on his team.”
How Favre was fun to watch in 2002:
* Passed JOE MONTANA (3,409) for fifth place on the all-time completions list with 3,652. Also bypassed Montana (40,551) for sixth on the passing yardage list, finishing the season with 42,285. * His four-yard TD pass to DONALD DRIVER on November 24 gave him nine consecutive seasons of 20 or more TD passes, one behind the all-time record of Marino (1983-92). * Threw for his 11th consecutive 3,000-yard passing season to extend his NFL record, ahead of Marino’s nine such seasons (1984-92).
Records, milestones, key catches – Rice keeps churning them out, with no hint of slowing down. Has there ever been a 50-year-old receiver playing in the NFL? Rice could be it. “He’s a phenomenal player,” says Raiders quarterback RICH GANNON (37), who along with Rice, ROD WOODSON (37) and TIM BROWN (36) form the Raiders’ oldster – but highly productive – quartet. “He really seems to start coming on in November and December.” That’s when a veteran knows things are really turning serious. How the 40-year-old – who already owns a host of NFL records -- did in 2002: * Surpassed WALTER PAYTON (21,264) on September 29 to become the NFL’s all-time leader in yards from scrimmage. With 13:48 left in the third quarter against Tennessee, Rice caught a 19-yard pass from Gannon to give him 21,270 career scrimmage yards. He ended the season with 22,242. Most yards from scrimmage in a career:
* On November 11 on Monday Night Football’s 500th telecast, Rice, with nine catches for 103 yards, passed Payton (21,803) for the most career combined yards gained. He finished the season with 22,248 in the category. Also that night, with two TD receptions, Rice became the first player in history with 200 touchdowns. He finished 2002 with 203 career TDs. * Extended his NFL record of most 1,000-yard receiving seasons to 14.
“He is as cagey as ever,” says RICH GANNON of Brown, who just completed his 15th season. That “cageyness” gave Brown several NFL career records this season: * On Monday night, December 2 against the New York Jets and in front of his mother JOSEPHINE, who had never seen him play in person, it was commemorative T-shirts for all in the locker room after Brown in the third quarter on a short catch became the third man in history to record 1,000 career receptions – after JERRY RICE (1,456) and CRIS CARTER (1,101). He finished 2002 with 1,018. * On the same night, Brown bypassed JAMES LOFTON (14,004) for second place all-time behind Rice (21,597) in receiving yards. Brown concluded the season with 14,167.
In his 14 games before being injured, he rushed for 100 yards nine times, with a high of 197 against Seattle on November 24. Those nine 100-yard games were the second-most in the NFL in 2002 (RICKY WILLIAMS, 10). Holmes led the league in rushing (1,615) and scrimmage yards (2,287) before his injury. “With his determination, he’s amazing,” says Chiefs tackle JOHN TAIT. “That’s why he wants to get the ball when it counts.” Holmes’ shortened season: * Finished with 24 touchdowns (21 rushing), three short of surpassing the all-time record of MARSHALL FAULK (26) in 2000. That total led the NFL. * Led the league in scrimmage yards (2,287). * Scored at least one touchdown in 11 games in a row (from September 22 to December 8), tying the NFL record of LENNY MOORE (1963-64) and EMMITT SMITH (1994-95).
The “Miami Pound Machine” this year set several team and NFL records. “He’s phenomenal,” says Dolphins defensive end JASON TAYLOR. “He carried us. He pounds them, and we sit there and watch. It’s nice, except when he breaks that long one and the defense has to get back on the field.” Ricky’s runs in 2002: * Produced the most rushing yards in history by a running back new to a team – 1,853:
* Had back-to-back 200-yard rushing games (December 1, 228; December 9, 216), tying EARL CAMPBELL (1980) and O.J. SIMPSON (1973, 1976) as the only players in NFL history to accomplish the feat. “A lot of people are keying on Ricky, and it allows me to have more time in the pocket,” said Miami quarterback JAY FIEDLER after Williams’ 216-yard game against Chicago. “I’ll take a 200-yard rushing game any day. As a quarterback , it’s a great thing to work with.” * Surpassed DELVIN WILLIAMS (1,258 yards in 1978) for the most rushing yards by a Dolphin in a season (1,853). He set the record on December 1 in frigid Buffalo in a snowstorm – the first time he had seen snow. * Ran for the most touchdowns (16) in club history, topping KARIM ABDUL-JABBAR’s 15 in 1997.
INTO THE BOOKSThroughout the season, records were being set… · Atlanta’s MICHAEL VICK set three quarterback records on December 1 in a 30-24 overtime win over Minnesota. The 22-year-old rushed for 173 yards, a single-game record for a quarterback:
Vick averaged 17.3 yards-per-carry, breaking the NFL single-game record (minimum 10 carries) of Pro Football Hall of Famer MARION MOTLEY – 17.09 (11 carries, 188 yards) against Pittsburgh on October 29, 1950. Finally, Vick’s 46-yard TD run was the longest ever by a quarterback in overtime. The shoes Vick wore on his record-setting day were sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for display. “The feeling inside me when they told me my shoes were going to the Hall of Fame was pure joy,” said Vick. · Seattle RB SHAUN ALEXANDER became the first man in NFL history to score five touchdowns in a half on September 29 when he registered runs of 2, 20, 3 and 14 yards and a scoring pass of 80 yards in the first half against Minnesota on a Sunday night. “I don’t know if it was adrenaline,” said the 25-year-old Alexander. “You know when everyone’s watching, your mom and dad, your friends in high school who thought they were better than you. You get your chance to get in the spotlight and shine.” Alexander finished the game with 139 total rushing yards. His 30 points were the most for a player in a game this season. He missed tying the NFL record of six TDs in a game held by ERNIE NEVERS, DUB JONES and GALE SAYERS when he was stopped for a one-yard gain inside the five-yard line with five minutes to play in Seattle’s 48-23 win. · Thirty-seven-year-old Oakland S ROD WOODSON showed that he’s still sprightly after all these years (15 in the NFL) throughout 2002. On Sunday night, September 15, Woodson tied an NFL record with three fumble recoveries against his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The feat has been performed 14 times in a game in NFL history, the last by Seattle’s DARRYL WILLIAMS against Kansas City on October 4, 1998. On September 29, Woodson surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer EMLEN TUNNELL for the most career interception-return yards with 1,340. Woodson intercepted three passes for 100 return yards in Oakland’s 52-25 win over Tennessee. He finished the season with 1,465 career interception-return yards. “When you’re in the right place at the right time, good things happen to you,” said Woodson. And then on Monday night, November 11 in Denver, Woodson extended his NFL record for career interception-return touchdowns to 12 with a 98-yard runback late in the first quarter. It was his second INT-TD runback of the season (September 29 vs. Tennessee, 82 yards). In the final game of the season, Woodson’s interception in the second quarter set up a Raiders touchdown and lifted him over DICK “NIGHT TRAIN” LANE (68) into third place all-time in interceptions (69), behind PAUL KRAUSE (81) and Tunnell (79). · New England WR TROY BROWN on September 22 tied four other players for the fourth-most receptions in a game – 16. Brown accounted for 176 yards on his 16 catches against Kansas City. TERRELL OWENS owns the NFL record for receptions in a game (20), followed by TOM FEARS (18), CLARK GAINES (17) and Brown with KEENAN MC CARDELL, SONNY RANDLE and JERRY RICE – all with 16. · Philadelphia return specialist BRIAN MITCHELL reached two milestones during the season. On October 28 on a 23-yard return on the opening kickoff of the Eagles’ Monday night game against the Giants, Mitchell joined JERRY RICE (22,248) and WALTER PAYTON (21,803) as the only players in history with 21,000 combined yards gained. Mitchell finished the season with 21,992 such yards. On November 25 in another Monday-nighter (at San Francisco), Mitchell became the NFL’s career leader with 13 combined kick-return touchdowns (nine on punts, four on kickoffs) on a 76-yard punt-return TD. · Denver’s SHANNON SHARPE set the single-game yardage record for a tight end on October 20. Sharpe had 12 catches for 214 yards (a 17.8-yard average) against Kansas City. He surpassed JACKIE SMITH, who had 212 receiving yards on October 13, 1963 against Pittsburgh. Also in the game, Sharpe had two touchdown receptions, which gave him 53 for his career, topping DAVE CASPER (52) for the second-most TD catches by a tight end. The tight end leader in the category is JACKIE SMITH, who had 60 TD receptions for Washington from 1965-77. One of Sharpe’s scores came on an 82-yard catch, the longest of his career. “I’ve lost a step, trust me,” said the 34-year-old receiver after the game. “I’m sitting here and I still don’t believe that today happened.” Sharpe also went over 700 catches for his career in 2002, the first tight end to do so.
MANY MILESTONES IN ’02 · THE 450 DAY: November 10 was a productive passing day. For the first time in its history, the NFL had two 450-yard passers on the same day – Pittsburgh’s TOMMY MADDOX (473) and St. Louis’ MARC BULGER (453). There were three 450-yard passing performances this year (DREW BLEDSOE, 463 on September 15). There have been 37 in history. · 30 THIRD-FASTEST: Buffalo’s DREW BLEDSOE on September 15 tied BRETT FAVRE as the quarterbacks to reach 30,000 passing yards the third-fastest in history, in 126 games. DAN MARINO (114 games) and WARREN MOON (125) did it quicker. Bledsoe on September 29 became the first quarterback in history to throw four career overtime touchdown passes in a 33-27 win over Chicago. Following Bledsoe in the category are TERRY BRADSHAW (3) and DAN FOUTS, WARREN MOON and BRIAN SIPE, each with two OT TD passes. · START ME UP: Pittsburgh QB TOMMY MADDOX, who had an undefeated month (5-0-1) from October 13-November 10, went nine years and 325 days from his first start in 1992 in Denver to his first win on October 13 at Cincinnati – the longest such stretch by any quarterback in NFL history. · MC NAIR’S FLAIR: Tennessee QB STEVE MC NAIR again compiled a 300-yard rushing/3,000-yard passing season, the third of his career, to tie RANDALL CUNNINGHAM and STEVE YOUNG for the most in an NFL career. · A QB QUARTET: Philadelphia’s DONOVAN MC NABB tied four other quarterbacks for the NFL record of most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown – four from October 6-November 3. The QBs to do it before McNabb: GREG LANDRY (1972), PAT HADEN (1976), JEFF HOSTETLER (1993) and KORDELL STEWART (1997). · KURT CURT WITH HIS PASSES: St. Louis’ KURT WARNER on Monday night, September 23 became the quarterback to reach 1,000 completions with the fewest attempts in history – 1,487 passes. The fewest passes needed to reach 1,000 completions:
On November 24, Warner reached 100 career TD passes the second-fastest in history, in 50 games, behind only DAN MARINO in 44 games. · ON THE MARC: He went to the same high school as DAN MARINO in Pittsburgh. That was St. Louis QB MARC BULGER’s main claim to fame until a 6-1 NFL career start this year in subbing for an injured KURT WARNER. Before he knew it, Bulger was almost a household NFL name. In 2002, Marc Bulger took the Rams on a five-game winning streak after they had lost their first five…compiled only the third 450-yard, no-sack, no-interception game in NFL history (Y.A. TITTLE, 1962; TROY AIKMAN, 1998)…finished his five-game stint before Warner returned with a league-leading 106.0 passer rating…and threw for the most yards ever in a quarterback’s first five starts (1,496):
· MANNING THE POSITION: Indianapolis’ PEYTON MANNING continued to add to his achievements. On December 1, he became the first quarterback ever to throw for 3,000 yards in each of his first five seasons. Then on December 15, Manning went over 20,000 career passing yards, reaching that level the second-fastest in history (78 games) behind DAN MARINO (74). He also concluded the season as the first quarterback in history to throw for 4,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. · DURABLE…AND PERFECT…KERRY: He finally sat, then turned perfect. New York Giants QB KERRY COLLINS had an eventful 14th and 15th games of the season. On December 15 in a 37-7 home win over Dallas, Collins was taken out of the game because of the big lead, ending his string of consecutive passes for the Giants at 1,852 – the best such team streak in NFL history. Sitting on the bench was strange for Collins. “I asked our strength coach, what do you guys do over here?” he said. The next week, Collins threw for a “perfect game,” compiling the best passer rating possible, 158.3, completing 23 of 29 attempts for 366 yards, a career-high four touchdowns and no interceptions. It was the second perfect game of the year, after PEYTON MANNING’s on November 10. The two 2002 perfect games make it 22 in the NFL since 1970. In each of the first two games of the year, Collins threw for 300 yards, which, along with his three 300-yarders in the final games of 2001, enabled him to become only the fourth player in history to throw for five consecutive such games. The feat was previously accomplished by JOE MONTANA, KURT WARNER and STEVE YOUNG. Oakland’s RICH GANNON later in the season (six consecutive 300-yard games from September 15-October 27) joined the group. · CURTIS CARRIES ON: Against his former team, the New England Patriots, New York Jets RB CURTIS MARTIN on Sunday night, December 22, became only the second player to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first eight seasons. BARRY SANDERS did it in his first 10 seasons. On December 8 against Denver, Martin became the 16th player in history to rush for 10,000 career yards. “Curtis has done it by being consistent – play after play, just making yards,” says Jets head coach HERMAN EDWARDS. “Sometimes, I think that’s why people at times don’t put him up there with the other guys. There aren’t a lot of 30-, 40-, or 60-yard runs by Curtis that they put on ‘SportsCenter.’ But at the end of the day, you look at it and he has 125 yards, 150 yards rushing.” · DILLON DOES IT: Cincinnati RB COREY DILLON became the fourth player in history to top 1,000 rushing yards (1,311) in each of his first six seasons, joining ERIC DICKERSON, BARRY SANDERS and CURTIS MARTIN in the feat. · BACK-TO-BACK: San Diego RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON (1,683) became the first Charger with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and the 20th back in NFL history to do so. · 40 TO 25: Indianapolis RB EDGERRIN JAMES reached 25 100-yard games the fastest in history, in 40 games – one fewer than EARL CAMPBELL. · PORTIS IS TOPS: Denver rookie RB CLINTON PORTIS, the team’s No. 2 choice from Miami, led all 2002 rookie rushers with the fourth-best total overall in the AFC – 1,508 yards, the fifth-most all-time by an NFL rookie, and the Broncos’ rookie rushing record. “He looked like TERRELL DAVIS,” said Denver DE TREVOR PRYCE. “That’s the biggest compliment you can give a running back.” Portis also tied for the second-most rookie rushing TDs ever:
· JEREMY SHOCKS ’EM: New York Giants tight end JEREMY SHOCKEY, the lone rookie selected to the 2003 Pro Bowl, led all rookies with 74 receptions and 894 receiving yards. The totals were the second highest in NFL history for a rookie tight end, trailing only KEITH JACKSON (81 catches in 1988) and MIKE DITKA (1,076 yards in 1961). · BROOKS BUBBLING: Tampa Bay’s DERRICK BROOKS had a highly productive season in ’02. He became the first linebacker in history with three interception-return touchdowns in a season, and the first player since ERIC ALLEN in 1993 with four touchdowns on turnovers in a season (three on interceptions, one on a fumble return). KEN HOUSTON holds the TDs-on-turnovers record with five in 1971. · GOING LIKE 60: Minnesota RB MICHAEL BENNETT became the first player in NFL history with a run of at least 60 yards in three consecutive games (November 3-17). · TITANIC COMEBACKS: Not only did the TENNESSEE TITANS come back from a 1-4 start to their season to finish 11-5 and win the AFC South Division, they also exhibited remarkable comeback ability in individual games. They tied an NFL season record by making up 12-point deficits to win three games – September 8 vs. Philadelphia, October 27 at Cincinnati, and December 1 at the New York Giants. · JETS LAND: The AFC East-champion NEW YORK JETS (9-7) became the first team in history to win a division title after a 2-5 start. · LEGENDS’ DAY: It was a day for memories on December 1. In Indianapolis, WR MARVIN HARRISON tied RAYMOND BERRY’s Colts record for career receptions. And in New York, Tennessee RB EDDIE GEORGE surpassed EARL CAMPBELL’s franchise career rushing record. · HOT PEPPERS: Carolina rookie DE JULIUS PEPPERS had two three-sack games, the first rookie to have multiple three-sack games since San Diego’s LESLIE O’NEAL in 1986 (two). · BRADY’S BUNCH: New England QB TOM BRADY tied an NFL record this year that shows he is certainly not stingy. Brady threw touchdown passes to 11 different receivers, tying the NFL season record in the category:
· STRAHAN’S HALFS: He got the all-time sack record last season, he tied a “half-sack” mark this year. New York Giants defensive end MICHAEL STRAHAN had at least a half-sack in 10 consecutive games in 2002, tying the NFL record in the category with SIMON FLETCHER (1991) and JEVON KEARSE (1999). · RICE’S MULTIPLES: Tampa Bay defensive end SIMEON RICE set an NFL record my having multiple sacks in five consecutive games from October 27-December 1. · BUFFALO TRIO: On December 1, when Buffalo WRs ERIC MOULDS and PEERLESS PRICE and RB TRAVIS HENRY all surpassed 1,000 yards for the season, it marked the first time in NFL history that three players on the same team did so on the same day. · MARSHALL, MARSHALL, MARSHALL!: St, Louis RB MARSHALL FAULK became only the second player ever to rush for 5,000 yards for each of two teams – Indianapolis and the Rams. The other RB to do it? ERIC DICKERSON, for the same two teams. · LET’S START OVER: The ST. LOUIS RAMS followed the 2001 WASHINGTON REDSKINS as the only teams in NFL history to win five consecutive games after losing five to start the season.
On October 13 against Washington, he became the seventh player in NFL history, and the first since EDDIE PAYTON on December 12, 1977, to return a kickoff and punt for touchdowns in the same game (see Dante Hall note below). He also added 70 yards receiving, and his 356 combined net yards was the third-most in a game in NFL history. “I never looked at making it this far,” said Lewis. “But the opportunity was there when I came to New Orleans, and I’m going to take as much as I can from it. I’ve got to go out there and make a mark for myself.” · TWO WITH TWO: On December 8, for the first time in NFL history, two players had two kick-return touchdowns each on the same day. Kansas City KR-PR DANTE HALL returned a kickoff 88 yards for a score in the first quarter, and a punt 86 yards for a TD in the second quarter in the Chiefs’ 49-10 win over St. Louis, becoming the eighth player in history with two such returns in a game. Carolina PR STEVE SMITH scored on punt returns of 61 yards in the second quarter and 87 yards in the third in the Panthers’ 52-31 win over Cincinnati.
· HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!: Sunday, October 27, was “Anniversary Day.” The Kansas City Chiefs celebrated 40 years in Kansas City by honoring members of the Dallas Texans, the Chiefs’ forerunners, for their 1962 AFL championship team. Former Texan/Chief CURTIS MC CLINTON sang the national anthem. That night, the Washington Redskins, in their 70th anniversary year, honored the “70 Greatest Redskins” team at halftime of their game with Indianapolis.
Before the game – his 313th as a Redskin -- Green addressed his fans. “I’m rich,” he said. “I’m rich in love and friendships and relationships and opportunity. I realized again today how rich I am.” Green this season joined Pro Football Hall of Famer JACKIE SLATER as the players to spend the most seasons with one club in NFL history. The players with the most seasons with one team in history:
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