2003 NFL Season Pt. 3

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) eludes Carolina Panthers linebacker Greg Favors (53) as he scrambles and then completes a pass in the first quarter in Atlanta Dec. 7, 2003. Vick rushed for 141 yards in his first start of the season and Kevin Mathis scored on a 32-yard interception return in overtime, leading the Falcons past the Panthers 20-14.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler, right, gets hit hard by New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel during the first quarter in Foxboro, Mass., Dec. 7, 2003.

Denver Broncos running back Clinton Portis (26) slips through the hands of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber (59) for a 28-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter at Invesco Field at Mile High, in Denver Dec. 7, 2003. Portis carried for the ball 22 times for a total of 218 yards and five touchdowns.

Indianapolis Colts running back Edgerrin James (32) scores a touchdown on a 5-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter Dec. 7, 2003 in Nashville, Tenn. James' score gave the Colts a 29-13 lead as they held on to beat the Titans, 30-28. Blocking for the Colts is guard Rick DeMulling (64). Defending for the Titans are safety Scott McGarrahan (42) and defensive end Carlos Hall (97).

Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler, center, is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, left, and defensive tackle Corey Simon during the third quarter Dec. 15, 2003 in Miami. The Eagles beat the slumping Dolphins 34-27, extending their winning streak to nine games, matching the franchise record set in 1960.

New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington (10) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second period Dec. 14, 2003, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets beat the Steelers 6-0.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes (31) beats a handful of Detroit Lions defenders into the end zone to score a touchdown in the first quarter Dec. 14, 2003, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs rolled over the Lions 45-17.

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson holds a sign asking the NFL not to fine him after scoring on a 10-yard reception against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half Dec. 14, 2003, in Cincinnati. The Bengals won 41-38, moving them into first place in the AFC North.

St. Louis Rams Marshall Faulk scores a touchdown in front of teammates Dave Wohlabaugh (64) and Orlando Pace (76) in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks Dec. 14, 2003, in St. Louis. The Rams held on to win 27-22.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn (87) appears to make a phone call after getting a cell phone from under the pads that line the goal post in the first half against the New York Giants Dec. 14, 2003 in New Orleans. Horn reached for what appeared to be a cell phone after scoring the touchdown. The Saints were penalized for unsportsman-like conduct for Horn's actions.

Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith, left, evades Kansas City Chiefs defender Jerome Woods, right, to score on an 11-yard run during the fourth quarter Dec. 20, 2003, in Minneapolis. Smith, a rookie, scored three touchdowns in the Vikings' 45-20 win.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe is sacked by Miami Dolphins' Jason Taylor (99) and Jay Williams (91) during the first half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Dec. 21, 2003.

St. Louis Rams Torry Holt slips the tackle of Cincinnati Bengals Kevin Kaesviharn in the second half Dec. 21, 2003, in St. Louis. Holt had 10 catches for 124 yards, his 10th 100-yard game, as the Rams beat the Bengals 27-10.

Saints Jerome Pathon, rear left, dives into the end zone against the Jaguars Dec. 21, 2003, in Florida. With 6 seconds left and the Saints trailing 20-13, Aaron Brooks passed to Donte' Stallworth, who flipped the ball to Michael Lewis. He pitched back to Deuce McAllister, who lateraled to Pathon, who went the final 21 yards. John Carney missed the PAT with no time left, and Jacksonville won, 20-19.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, right, is hugged by teammate Ahman Green at the end of Green Bay's 41-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders Dec. 22, 2003, in Oakland, Calif. Favre's father, Irvin Favre, died that day.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis runs with an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter of the Ravens' 13-10 overtime win Dec. 28, 2003, in Baltimore. Lewis ran for 114 yards on 27 carries to finish the season with 2,066 yards rushing, 39 yards short of Dickerson's single-season mark of 2,105, set in 1984.

San Diego Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson breaks loose past Oakland Raiders' Tyler Brayton for eight of his 243 rushing yards Dec. 28, 2003, in San Diego. It was the fourth 200-plus yard rushing game for Tomlinson this season.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt, center with helmet down, is mobbed by teammates Marcus Pollard (81), David Thornton (50), and David Macklin (27) after kicking the game-winning 43-yard field goal in the closing seconds against the Houston Texans, setting a new NFL record for most consecutive field goals (41) made Dec. 28, 2003 in Houston. The Colts won, 20-17.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown (12) scrambles against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter Dec. 28, 2003, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinals won, 18-17, with no time on the clock to knock the Vikings out of the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes (31) leaps over teammate Will Shields (68) for his second touchdown of the day against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 28, 2003. Holmes set records for most touchdowns rushing and most touchdowns by a running back. It was his 27th touchdown of the season. Chiefs beat the Bears 31-3.