2003 nfl kickoff game

It matched the previous two Super Bowl champions for the first time in the series, and represented the most combined points 76 ever scored in the kickoff game. Packers rookie Randall Cobb had a breathtaking debut, catching a touchdown pass and running back a third-quarter kickoff for a league-record-tying yard touchdown return—a decision that was in response to the league rule change promoting touchbacks in favor of safety.

The first time the NFL gave the defending Super Bowl champion the honor of hosting the Kickoff game, it was a rematch of the AFC Championship game that had been played in the snow flurries in Foxboro the January before. Alas, it was the same result for Peyton Manning and the losing Colts , albeit by a closer score than the 24—14 Patriots win in the playoffs.

Tom Brady threw for yards and three touchdowns as New England won its 16th straight game including the postseason, two short of the league record the Patriots would go on to break in October. Pittsburgh won the coin toss in overtime and never let the Titans gain possession of the ball relax, the rule has been changed, somewhat. Ben Roethlisberger threw a whopping 43 passes, completing 33 of them for yards, posting the 16th fourth-quarterback comeback of his sixth-year NFL career.

It was an ugly, sloppy affair for the most part, but it did have a thrilling conclusion, with the Giants tying the game inside of the two minutes on a one-yard Tiki Barber touchdown run, and the 49ers winning it on a yard Jose Cortez field goal with six seconds remaining, a score set up by a clutch yard Terrell Owens catch and run. It wound up being a preview of a classic playoff game that New York and San Francisco played the next January. In that game, the Giants led 38—14 in the third quarter, but wound up blowing that point lead and losing 39—38, as newly signed year-old longsnapper Trey Junkin botched two field goal snaps in the final three minutes.

The Giants became the first home team to lose in this series in 10 years—since their loss to San Francisco—and this one really hurt because Dallas got revenge for losing their NFC East title showdown game at New York in their Week 17 meeting of The replacement refs also made their debut in this game, without incident. But that would change soon enough, as that dubious idea would be revealed a multi-faceted disaster for the league.

New to the job: Ranking new starting QBs and their potential for success. Starting his 20th and final NFL season we think , Brett Favre was a pedestrian of with one interception and a This one was memorable for several reasons, not the least of which was Peyton Manning throwing seven touchdown passes and an interception to become only the sixth passer to record that many in a single game.

Then there was the venue. It was in Denver. Instead of Baltimore, which had earned the right to host the game with its dramatic Super Bowl win over San Francisco in February. Aaron Rodgers and Co. He tossed four touchdown passes in the final 30 minutes of regulation, including an yard connection to Spencer Havner right after the two-minute warning that tied the game at Instead, Rodgers fumbled the ball two plays later and Karlos Dansby returned it for a game-winning Cardinals touchdown.

Teammate Matt Allen, the San Francisco 49ers and the referees had other plans, though. The Giants took a lead late in the third quarter and had a lead when Strahan told Terrell Owens — who finished with nine receptions, yards and two touchdowns — to check the clock. San Francisco wound up going ahead with a minute left, but New York was able to get the ball into field goal range with a chance at a win.

From 41 yards out, Allen botched the snap on the attempt before lofting a pass towards the end zone. While the Giants clamored for pass interference, the team was flagged for an ineligible man downfield, sending San Francisco to the next round.

Exactly a decade ago today, Marshawn Lynch caused a Beast Quake. One of the most memorable runs in NFL history. Rewinding back a bit, the Seahawks squeaked out an NFC West title with a record and earned the chance to host the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round.

Seattle proved it could hold its own with the Saints, though, taking a lead into the fourth quarter. New Orleans climbed back early in the fourth to make it a game before Lynch sealed the deal with one of the most electrifying runs in NFL history. The running back shed tackle after tackle before making a celebratory dive for the end zone and cementing a Seattle upset. Before T. The wild card battle between the 49ers and Packers came down to the wire. Brett Favre found Antonio Freeman for a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, forcing Steve Young and the 49ers to execute a two-minute drill to save their season.

January 8, The Music City Miracle. Tennessee Titans fans witnessed a miracle during the AFC wild card round. The Titans took a lead into halftime against the Buffalo Bills before allowing 13 unanswered points. The two teams exchanged field goals in the final minute, setting up a Buffalo kickoff with 16 seconds left and a one-point lead. What happened next is etched into NFL lore. Miami Dolphins. New Orleans Saints. Tennessee Titans. Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay Packers. Dallas Cowboys. Baltimore Ravens.

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