This site is dedicated to providing up to date news on the 2000 NFL season and the playoffs.
New 1/25/01 :
James' analysis and pick for SUPER BOWL XXXV
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SUPER BOWL XXXV at Tampa, Florida
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Sunday, January 28th
Baltimore (15-4) vs NY Giants (14-4)
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It's probably fitting that Super Bowl XXXV will be followed by "Survivor II" on CBS. After all, the battle between the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants will be survival of the fittest.
The Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins, 14-7 in the
lowest-scoring Super Bowl back in January 1973, but this one may
set a new standard. Three touchdowns were scored in Miami's
Super Bowl VII victory, although one came on the famous fumble
by Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian.
Will the Ravens and Giants combine for three touchdowns? The
Giants erupted for 41 points against a porous Minnesota
secondary in the NFC championship game, but the offense managed
just a pair of field goals in the divisional playoff victory
over Philadelphia.
Now they will butt heads with a unit -- led by NFL defensive
player of the year Ray Lewis -- that set the NFL record for
fewest points allowed in a 16-game season with 165 and posted
four shutouts. In becoming the third AFC wild card team in four
years to reach the Super Bowl, the Ravens yielded a total of 16
points, including only one touchdown, in playoff wins over
Denver, Tennessee and Oakland.
"I've been in the league for 10 years and I've never seen a
defense like this," Ravens coach Brian Billick said.
In Baltimore's 16-3 win at Oakland in the AFC championship game,
the Ravens forced five turnovers, battered quarterback Rich
Gannon and held the NFL's top-rated rushing team to 24 yards.
But can the Ravens score on a Giants defense which held
Minnesota's high-powered offense to 114 total yards and nine
first downs in a 41-0 rout? The previous week, the Giants
yielded only a late touchdown in a 20-10 win over Philadelphia.
"It's going to be a defensive battle, that's no secret," Giants
three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan said. "I
don't see this as a game of big plays."
Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer has managed only 23 completions
in Baltimore's three playoff wins. That's the same number
Giants quarterback Kerry Collins had in the first half alone
against Minnesota. Fortunately for Dilfer, three of those
completions resulted in big plays to seven-time Pro Bowl tight
end Shannon Sharpe, including a postseason record 96-yard
touchdown in the win at Oakland.
Sharpe was a starter on the Denver Broncos' back-to-back Super
Bowl winning teams after the 1997 and 1998 season. But without
John Elway running this offense, Sharpe knows defense will rule
in Super Bowl XXXV.
"I'd settle for 3-2, as long as we get the three," Sharpe said.
"If the rest of the country can't handle that, too bad. Deal
with it, America."
Along with Lewis at middle linebacker, the Ravens clog the run
with defensive tackles Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa and possess
speed on the outside with ends Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett
and linebackers Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper. Baltimore
allowed a league-best 60.6 rushing yards per game.
The Giants have 1,000-yard rusher Tiki Barber and rookie Ron
Dayne in the backfield, but running against the Ravens appears
to be hopeless. Tennessee's Eddie George, perhaps the league's
most physical back, managed 91 yards on 27 carries in the
playoffs against Baltimore, but the Ravens shut down Denver's
1,500-yard rusher Mike Anderson and Oakland's potent ground
game. They have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 36 straight
games.
Look for Giants coach Jim Fassel to utilize spread formations
and rely heavily on the arm of Collins, who set NFC championship
game records with 381 yards passing and five touchdowns against
the Vikings. But Minnesota's secondary is atrocious and the
Ravens ranked eighth in the league in pass defense. Cornerbacks
Chris McAlister and Duane Starks, both former first-round picks,
progressed in 2000 and veteran safety Rod Woodson is the leader
of the Baltimore secondary.
In the regular season finale, the New York Jets realized trying
to run against the Ravens was fruitless, so they attacked with a
no-huddle offense and spread formations and produced 524 total
yards and 20 points. It should be noted that the aerial attack
also resulted in three interceptions, including one which was
returned 98 yards for a touchdown by McAlister.
The Giants have the ability to deploy a similar strategy and
possess more talent at the receiver position than the Jets with
starters Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard and reserves Joe
Jurevicius and rookie Ron Dixon. Hilliard had 10 catches for
155 yards and two touchdowns in the NFC championship game and
Toomer has enjoyed back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Barber, an
all-purpose back, and fullback Greg Comella are also used in the
passing game.
Baltimore's offensive scheme under Billick is built around
rookie running back Jamal Lewis, who rushed for 1,364 yards, and
a short passing game with Sharpe as the main target. The Ravens
actually went five straight games -- the entire month of October
-- without scoring a touchdown. That caused Billick to switch
from Tony Banks to Dilfer at quarterback. After losing their
first game with
James' Pick: Baltimore by 3
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FINAL NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
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EASTERN DIVISION
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Y-MIAMI 11-5
X-INDIANAPOLIS 10-6
NY JETS 9-7
BUFFALO 8-8
NEW ENGLAND 5-11
CENTRAL DIVISION
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Z-TENNESSEE 13-3
X-BALTIMORE 12-4
PITTSBURGH 9-7
JACKSONVILLE 7-9
CINCINNATI 4-12
CLEVELAND 3-13
WESTERN DIVISION
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Y-OAKLAND 12-4
X-DENVER 11-5
KANSAS CITY 7-9
SEATTLE 6-10
SAN DIEGO 1-15
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
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EASTERN DIVISION
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Z-NY GIANTS 12-4
X-PHILADELPHIA 11-5
WASHINGTON 8-8
DALLAS 5-11
ARIZONA 3-13
CENTRAL DIVISION
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Y-MINNESOTA 11-5
X-TAMPA BAY 10-6
DETROIT 9-7
GREEN BAY 9-7
CHICAGO 5-11
WESTERN DIVISION
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Y-ST LOUIS 10-6
X-NEW ORLEANS 10-6
CAROLINA 7-9
SAN FRANCISCO 6-10
ATLANTA 4-12
X -- CLINCHED WILD CARD
Y -- WON DIVISION TITLE
Z -- CLINCHED BEST RECORD IN CONFERENCE
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MAJOR NEWS
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Jan. 24, 2001
St. Louis Rams tailback Marshall Faulk added to his collection of honors Wednesday, winning the NFL player of the year award. Faulk had already been named The Associated Press' most valuable player and offensive player of the year.
Jan. 24, 2001
Marty Mornhinweg got the head coaching job he wanted. It just wasn't the one many people expected. The Detroit Lions hired the San Francisco offensive coordinator on Wednesday to replace Gary Moeller.
Jan. 24, 2001
Broncos offensive tackle Tony Jones has changed his mind about retirement and decided to return for one more season. "I just feel really good right now," Jones said from his home in Cleveland. "I think I have another one in me."
Jan. 24, 2001
The Buffalo Bills received permission to speak with Tennessee Titans defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams. The Bills would not say if Williams was a candidate to replace Wade Phillips, who was dismissed as coach.
Jan. 10, 2001
Vikings free safety Orlando Thomas will not play in the NFC championship game against the New York Giants on Sunday because of hamstring and shoulder injuries. Rookie Tyrone Carter will replace Thomas. Carter has started seven games, forcing two fumbles and making 40 tackles.
Jan. 10, 2001
Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips is fired while Tom Donahoe, an executive who helped rebuild the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1990s, was hired as president and general manager of the Buffalo Bills.
Jan. 9, 2001
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair is going to the Pro Bowl, replacing injured Denver quarterback Brian Griese on the AFC roster. It will be his first Pro Bowl appearance. McNair led the Titans to the NFL's best regular-season record at 13-3. He completed 248 of 396 passes for 2,847 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Jan. 9, 2001
Bill Parcells quit as director of football operations of the New York Jets, saying he's not ready for the commitment needed to make the team a consistent title contender. Parcells leaves just 10 days after coach Al Groh resigned suddenly to coach Virginia, his alma mater.
Jan. 9, 2001
Mike Ditka received a settlement of more than $3 million from the New Orleans Saints, ending a five-month dispute over the remaining 21/2 years on the fired coach's contract.
Jan. 4, 2001
For the second straight season, Marshall Faulk has been voted The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year. This season, he set an NFL record with 26 touchdowns, led the NFC with 2,189 combined yards (1,359 rushing and 830 passing) and had 81 receptions, the most by an NFC running back.
Jan. 2, 2001
Ray Lewis became the most dynamic defender in the NFL as he led the Baltimore Ravens to the playoffs. Lewis easily won The Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award. Lewis had a team-high 184 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions on a defense that set an NFL record for fewest points allowed (165) during a 16-game season.
Jan. 1, 2001
Denver Broncos running back Mike Anderson was selected Monday as The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. The halfback rushed for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Denver Broncos after taking over for injured Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary.
Dec. 26, 2000
Quarterback Steve McNair's left ankle is bothering him again, and the Tennessee Titans may put his foot into a special boot for rest during their bye week. McNair left the Titans' 31-0 victory over the Dallas Cowboys Monday night during the third quarter after his ankle became sore again.
Dec. 20, 2000
The Sporting News named Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner of the St. Louis Rams as its co-Sportsmen of the Year for 2000.
Dec. 20, 2000
Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson fired John Butler, the general manager for the past eight years, citing a lack of commitment. Meanwhile, Doug Flutie will likely start in place of Rob Johnson, who suffered another concussion against New England.
Dec. 19, 2000
Marshall Faulk scored four touchdowns for the Rams, but it was not enough in a rematch of last season's NFC championship game won by St. Louis. Warrick Dunn scored his third touchdown with 48 seconds remaining to help the Buccaneers clinch a playoff spot, outscoring the Rams 38-35 and leaving St. Louis' hopes of defending their title questionable.
Dec. 19, 2000
Troy Aikman's season is officially over, and possibly his career as well. The quarterback is recovering from his second concussion of the season, and 10th of his career, sustained Dec. 10.
Dec. 18, 2000
Two blocked Steve Christie field goals, one in overtime with 23 seconds left, led to a disappointing 13-10 Bills loss to the New England Patriots.
Dec. 18, 2000
With salary caps dictating personnel moves to teams, Jerry Rice said goodbye to San Francisco fans. Rice's salary would have been $4.2 million against the cap. Rice, the NFL's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, told the crowd that "it's up to these guys to carry on the tradition".
Dec. 12, 2000
Paul Shields blocked a punt to set up one third-quarter touchdown and Jeff Burris sacked Rob Johnson to force a fumble that Bernard Holsey returned 48 yards for another TD. Doug Flutie played valiantly in the fourth quarter but could not help as the Indiapolis Colts beat the Buffalo Bills 44-20 last night, ending the Buffalo Bills' hopes of making the playoffs.
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Last Updated: 1-25-01
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