In Honor of Pat Tillman | Woy's Arizona Cardinals (ESPN NFL 2K5)

[Woy]

Week 17

Game of the Week
Seattle Seahawks (11-4) 37, Atlanta Falcons (9-6) 35
SEA- Matt Hasselbeck (25-34, 372 yards, 2 TD) | ATL- Michael Vick (21-28, 352 yards, 4 TD)

Players of the Week
Offense- Michael Vick, QB, ATL (21-28, 352 yards, 4 TD)
Defense- Simeon Rice, DE, TB (8 tackles, 4 sacks)

[Woy]

I'll have updates of the final NFL Standings, NFL Award winners, and playoff predictions sometime today.

[Woy]

FINAL NFL STANDINGS
x - wild card, y - division champs, z - first round bye

AFC EAST
yBuffalo Bills 11-5
New England Patriots 8-8
Miami Dolphins 8-8
New York Jets 8-8

AFC NORTH
yCincinnati Bengals 8-8
Baltimore Ravens 7-9
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-9
Cleveland Browns 6-10

AFC SOUTH
yzIndianapolis Colts 11-5
xTennessee Titans 9-7
Houston Texans 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars 7-9

AFC WEST
yzKansas City Chiefs 12-4
xOakland Raiders 10-6
Denver Broncos 9-7
San Diego Chargers 3-13

NFC EAST
yPhiladelphia Eagles 10-6
xWashington Redskins 10-6
Dallas Cowboys 6-10
New York Giants 4-12

NFC NORTH
yzGreen Bay Packers 12-4
Chicago Bears 8-8
Minnesota Vikings 7-9
Detroit Lions 6-10

NFC SOUTH
yTampa Bay Buccaneers 9-7
Atlanta Falcons 9-7
New Orleans Saints 5-11
Carolina Panthers 4-12

NFC WEST
yzSeattle Seahawks 12-4
xArizona Cardinals 11-5
St. Louis Rams 6-10
San Francisco 49ers 5-11

[Woy]

Update's going on the top of the next page.

[Woy]

Wild Card Weekend Playoff Matchups/Predictions

AFC

at
Oakland Raiders (10-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
OAK- Rich Gannon, QB (89.3 rtg., 276-474, 3458 yards, 28 TD, 13 INT)
CIN- Chad Johnson, WR (94 catches, 1450 yards, 10 TD)

Oakland would probably have a first round bye if they didn't have the Kansas City Chiefs in that division. The AFC West, other than the Chargers, was the best division in football this year. Gannon has a great group of receivers, but they're also on the downside of their careers. Tim Brown and Jerry Rice should get open against the Bengals corners. Cincinnati has been a very inconsistent team. One week they'll beat the Chiefs, the next they'll lose to the Cleveland Browns. If they are on the top of their game this week, they can upset Oakland at home. However, I don't see that happening. Raiders, 24-10.

at
Tennessee Titans (9-7) at Buffalo Bills (11-5)
TEN- Steve McNair, QB (107.5 rtg., 307-472, 3826 yards, 36 TD, 9 INT)
BUF- Drew Bledsoe, QB (90.3 rtg., 288-489, 3756 yards, 28 TD, 14 INT)

Possibly the most anticipated matchup of the Wild Card round. The Tennessee Titans are the sleeper of this year's playoffs; they've beaten teams like the Colts, Bills, and the Chiefs this season. They also have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Steve McNair. Another great quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, takes the snaps for Buffalo. The Bills got off to a hot start this season but have cooled off recently. Do you remember January 8, 2001? The Buffalo Bills were the champs of the AFC East and were playing the one Wild Card team that no one wanted to play, the Tennessee Titans. Buffalo was up 16-15 with seconds left on the clock as Steve Christie kicked a squib kick. Lorenzo Neal fielded it, pitched it to Frank Wycheck, who threw backwards across the field to Kevin Dyson. The rest they say, is history. Titans, 17-14.

NFC

at
Arizona Cardinals (11-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
ARZ- Drew Henson, QB (94.7 rtg., 304-502, 4354 yards, 29 TD, 16 INT)
TB- Brad Johnson, QB (96.8 rtg., 294-478, 3689 yards, 25 TD, 7 INT)

Does this sound familiar? If it doesn't, it should. These two teams matched up just last week with playoff implications on the line. The Buccaneers defeated the Cardinals in Glendale, 33-14. After a slow start, Tampa Bay really picked it up near the end and stole the NFC South from Atlanta with the win over Arizona. Arizona has been near the top all season, and has had the best record in the NFL for most of the year, but they have stumbled onto a three game losing streak. With the game being at Tampa Bay this time, I expect a similar result, just not as big of a spread. Buccaneers, 21-13.

at
Washington Redskins (10-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
WAS- Clinton Portis, HB (333 carries, 1581 yards, 14 TD)
PHI- Brian Dawkins, FS (82 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7 INT, 4 TD)

A good, 'ol fashioned NFC East battle here. Washington has been in a lot of close games this year, but are lead by All-Pro tailback Clinton Portis. Portis was second in rushing yards and first in rushing touchdowns, but lately has been complaining of an injury. It's not too serious, but it looks like he's hampering his ankle whenever he gets a carry. This game comes down to the quarterbacks. Donovan McNabb has a healthy Terrell Owens to throw to, while Mark Brunell has struggled in big games this year. It won't be different this time. Brian Dawkins, the ultimate defensive playmaker with four of his seven interceptions returned for touchdowns this year, will make some big plays in this one. Eagles, 13-10.

[Woy]

Bumping this up - I'll have the game up late tonight.

[Woy]

Guess I have no followers anymore.

[goDawgs1433]

Hurry up and post that game *****

[Woy]

PAYBACK IS SWEET - CARDINALS SECONDARY NEAR FLAWLESS IN WIN


Adrian Wilson steps in front of Joey Galloway to pick off a Brad Johnson pass. He ran the interception back 59 yards for the game's opening touchdown.

FIRST QUARTER
ARZ- Adrian Wilson 59 yard interception return (Neil Rackers kick)
TB- Brad Johnson 7 yard pass to Dave Moore (Martin Gramatica kick)

SECOND QUARTER
TB- Brad Johnson 34 yard pass to Michael Clayton (Martin Gramatica kick)
ARZ- Emmitt Smith 7 yard run (Neil Rackers kick)
TB- Martin Gramatica 38 yard field goal

THIRD QUARTER
ARZ- Drew Henson 6 yard pass to Freddie Jones (Neil Rackers kick)

FOURTH QUARTER
ARZ- Neil Rackers 33 yard field goal
ARZ- Neil Rackers 38 yard field goal

TAMPA, FL (AP) - Rewind back a week ago. The Arizona Cardinals hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a week 17 matchup with playoff implications. The Bucs beat down the Cardinals, 33-14 and sports bookers everywhere placed best on Tampa Bay doing something similar in the Wild Card round of the playoffs at Raymond James Stadium. However, the Arizona secondary stepped up their game and forced five interceptions from Brad Johnson on their 27-17 win over the Buccaneers. Duane Starks was the catalyst for the Cardinals defense, pikcing off three passes in the second half to kill drives.

Speaking of turning the ball over, Johnson threw an interception to safety Adrian Wilson six plays into the game. Wilson outran everybody and got into the endzone to give Arizona an early 7-0 lead. Back to back three-and-outs set up Tampa Bay at their own 29 yard line. Charlie Garner and Mike Alstott carried the ball twice each and then Johnson found Joey Galloway for 25 yards. Mixing between pass and run for the next five plays, Johnson ended the drive by finding a wide open Dave Moore in the endzone for a touchdown.

Johnson found rookie Michael Clayton for a 39 yard score to start the second quarter, but Arizona answered back with an Emmitt Smith touchdown run. Smith ran for 75 yards on only 13 carries on the day. The Cardinals got off to a fast start in the second half, driving down the field 11 plays before Drew Henson found Freddie Jones over the middle for a touchdown. Henson was shaky in his playoff debut, completing just over half of his passes and throwing two interceptions. Arizona got two Neil Rackers field goals late in the fourth quarter to put it away. The Cardinals will play either Seattle or Green Bay next week.

PASSING
ARZ- Drew Henson (18-35, 220 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) | TB- Brad Johnson (18-46, 267 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT)

RUSHING
ARZ- Emmitt Smith (13 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD), Erik Bickerstaff (7 carries, 11 yards), Henson (2 carries, 3 yards) | TB- Mike Alstott (12 carries, 31 yards), Charlie Garner (11 carries, 25 yards)

RECEIVING
ARZ- Freddie Jones (7 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD), Anquan Boldin (5 catches, 111 yards), Bryant Johnson (3 catches, 26 yards) | TB- Keenan McCardell (5 catches, 86 yards), Joey Galloway (5 catches, 81 yards), Michael Clayton (3 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD)

TACKLES
ARZ- Adrian Wilson (8), Ronald McKinnon (6), Dexter Jackson (5) | TB- Derrick Brooks (8), Simeon Rice (5), Shelton Quarles (5)

SACKS
ARZ- Calvin Pace, Renaldo Hill, Coby Reinhart, Bert Berry, Russell Davis | TB- Brooks (2), Rice (2), Anthony McFarland (2), Chad Bratzke (1.5), Quarles, Ronde Barber, Darrell Russell (0.5)

INTERCEPTIONS
ARZ- Duane Starks (3), Wilson, Mike Rumph | TB- Corey Ivy, Justin Phillips

[Lumpkin]

nice work getting revenge, good luck in the next round

[goDawgs1433]

Hell yeah, awesome win Ethan.

[Woy]

nice work getting revenge, good luck in the next round

Thanks Lumpkin. Next week's game should be a good one as well, wait till you see who I play.

That guilted me into following. Saw it but never really payed much attention, may try to look at it more.

Haha I was just bummed that I posted seven times in a row without a reply. I worked on that playoff preview for a while and didn't get any feedback. Anyways, glad to see you're following.

Yes! A win.

:D

Hell yeah, awesome win Ethan.

Thanks Foster. Glad to get back in the win column, at the best possible time.

Just like I explained in the Army dynasty, doubtful for updates today. I'm going to a party here in a bit.

[Woy]

Nice playoff win for the Cards!!! Starks was awesome for your defense. Good luck in the next round!

Starks really led my defense. Thanks man.

This franchise is amazing. 2k5 was the shit.

Thanks, and yeah it was. Love seeing new followers. :D

Can't wait for the results of your next game!

I'll have it up sometime tomorrow probably.

I was going to update last night, but just like I posted in my CL *looks at avatar*, you shouldn't have expected it. I'll have an update here in a little bit.

[Woy]

Update's going on the next page.

[Woy]

NFL MVP: Matt Hasselbeck, QB, SEA (112.8 rtg., 318-494, 4501 yards, 42 TD, 11 INT)

Hasselbeck shredded all defenses this year on the way to his first MVP. He ranked first in quarterback rating, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. He was also named NFL Offensive Player of the Week in week two, where he threw for 462 yards and five touchdowns and in week 15, where he threw four scores and was 24 for 27 passing. His Seahawks jumped over the Arizona Cardinals in the last week of the season to take the NFC West title, and at 11-5, they own the second best record in the NFC. Other players receiving votes were: Brett Favre, QB, GB | Drew Henson, QB, ARZ | Peyton Manning, QB, IND | Steve McNair, QB, TEN | Priest Holmes, HB, KC | Clinton Portis, HB, WAS | Emmitt Smith, HB, ARZ | Anquan Boldin, WR, ARZ | Gary Walker, DE, HOU | LaVar Arrington, OLB, WAS | Duane Starks, CB, ARZ | Cory Hall, FS, ATL

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning, QB, IND (112.4 rtg., 341-500, 4296 yards, 39 TD, 10 INT)

In a sort of surprising decision, the AP voters voted Peyton Manning the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year over MVP Matt Hasselbeck. The former Tennessee Volunteer had some great stats this year, ranking second in both quarterback rating and passing touchdowns and third in passing yards. He was the NFL's Offensive Player of the Week in week 16, with a 343 passing yard and four touchdown performance. He led his Colts to an 11-5 record and a first round bye in the AFC playoffs. Other players receiving votes were: Drew Bledsoe, QB, BUF | Matt Hasselbeck, QB, SEA | Drew Henson, QB, ARZ | Steve McNair, QB, TEN | Michael Vick, QB, ATL | Warrick Dunn, HB, ATL | Priest Holmes, HB, KC | Clinton Portis, HB, WAS | Emmitt Smith, HB, ARZ | Fred Taylor, HB, JAX | Anquan Boldin, WR, ARZ

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Rodney Harrison, SS, NE (105 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 INT, 5 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD)

Harrison was voted the dirtest player in the NFL in a recent Sports Illustrated poll. He also was voted another thing: NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was ranked eleventh in tackles and was fourth in interceptions. In week 10, he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Week with a 10 tackle, one sack, and one interception performance. After a slow start to the season, the Patriots picked it up near the end, finishing one game behind the Tennessee Titans for the last wild card spot in the AFC. Others receiving votes were: Shaun Ellis, DE, NYJ | Calvin Pace, DE, ARZ | Simeon Rice, DE, TB | Gary Walker, DE, HOU | LaVar Arrington, OLB, WAS | Jamie Sharper, OLB, HOU | Mike Rumph, CB, SF/ARZ | Duane Starks, CB, ARZ | Brian Dawkins, FS, PHI | Cory Hall, FS, ATL

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Drew Henson, QB, ARZ (94.7 rtg., 304-502, 4354 yards, 29 TD, 16 INT)

Coming out of nowhere at the beginning of the season, the former New York Yankee was an almost unanimous choice for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He took over the starting job in the pre-season and led the Cardinals to a surprising 11-5 record. He ranked seventh in quarterback rating and second in passing yards, and had a 511 passing yard performance in week three in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Others receiving votes were: Phillip Rivers, QB, SD | Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT | Julius Jones, HB, DAL | Kevin Jones, HB, DET | Larry Fitzgerald, WR, ARZ

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: D.J. Williams, OLB, DEN (102 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF, 2 FR)

A first round pick by the Denver Broncos, D.J. Williams lived up to expectations and took home the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Starting from day one, Williams was second on his team in tackles, fourth in sacks, and was a playmaker all over the field. Others receiving votes: Will Smith, DE, NO | Karlos Dansby, OLB, ARZ | Jonathan Vilma, MLB, NYJ | Dunta Robinson, CB, HOU | Sean Taylor, SS, WAS

Walter Payton Rushing Title: Priest Holmes, HB, KC (319 carries, 1591 yards, 8 TD)

In a really close race, Holmes took home the Walter Payton Rushing Title over Redskins runningback Clinton Portis by 10 yards. Portis led the NFL most of the season in rushing but Holmes made a late push near the end to take it. Holmes added eight scores to his league leading 1591 rushing yards. His Kansas City Chiefs ended up going 12-4 which was the best record in the AFC.