2000 NFL season

2000 NFL season

Regular season
Duration	September 3 – December 25, 2000
Playoffs
Start date	December 30, 2000
AFC Champions	Baltimore Ravens
NFC Champions	New York Giants
Super Bowl XXXV
Date	January 28, 2001
Site	Raymond James Stadium,Tampa, Florida
Champions	Baltimore Ravens
Pro Bowl
Date	February 4, 2001
Site	Aloha Stadium

Colts

Patriots

Bills

Dolphins

Jets

Bengals

Ravens

Titans

Steelers

Jaguars

Browns

Broncos

Chiefs

Raiders

Chargers

Seahawks

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AFC teams:West,Central,East

Cowboys

Giants

Eagles

Cardinals

Redskins

Bears

Lions

Packers

Vikings

Buccaneers

Falcons

Rams

Saints

49ers

Panthers

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NFC teams:West,Central,East

The2000 NFL seasonwas the 81stregular seasonof theNational Football League(NFL). The season ended withSuper Bowl XXXVwhen theBaltimore Ravensdefeated theNew York Giants,34–7, atRaymond James StadiuminTampa, Florida.

Week 1 of the season reverted toLabor Dayweekend in 2000. It would be the last NFL season to date to start on Labor Day weekend. It would also be the last time until2015thatCBStelevised the late afternoon games in Week 1, because both Week 1 of the NFL season andCBS'scoverageofthe U.S. Open tennis finalswould take place on the same day beginning next season.

Player movement

• July 24: The Carolina Panthers sign defensive endReggie White.
• July 21: The Baltimore Ravens sign tight endBen Coates.
• July 24: The San Diego Chargers sign linebackerSteve Tovar.
• July 25: The Carolina Panthers sign defensive endEric Swann.
• July 26: The Seattle Seahawks sign wide receiver Sean Dawkins.
• July 28: The Chicago Bears sign kickerMichael Husted.

Trades

• July 11: The Green Bay Packers trade tight end Lawrence Hart to the New Orleans Saints for running back Marvin Powell.
• July 31: The Green Bay Packers trade quarterbackAaron Brooksand tight end Lamont Hall to the New Orleans Saints for linebacker K.D. Williams.

Draft

The2000 NFL draftwas held from April 15 to 16, 2000 atNew York City'sTheater at Madison Square Garden.With the first pick, theCleveland Brownsselected defensive endCourtney BrownfromPennsylvania State University.Taken by the New England Patriots with the 199th pick in the sixth round was Michigan quarterbackTom Brady.Tom Brady went on to win 3NFL MVPawards, a record 7Super Bowltitles and 5Super Bowl MVPawards.

Major rule changes

• In order to cut down on group celebrations, unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and fines will be assessed for celebrations by two or more players.
• Anyone wearing an eligible number (1 to 49 or 80 to 89) can play quarterback without having to first report to the referee before a play.
  • This rule change resulted in the increase of trick plays teams can employ on offense.
• The "Bert Emanuel"rule was implemented, stating that when making a catch and falling to the ground, the ball is allowed to touch the ground and still be considered a catch if the player maintains clear control of the ball.

2000 deaths

Pro Football Hall of Fame members

Tom Fears

Fears played 9 seasons as an end for theLos Angeles Ramsand was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970. He was a 3-time NFL champion (1951, 1962, 1965), he was named First-team All-Pro in 1950, and was a member of the1950s All-Decade Team.He was the first Mexican born player inducted into the Hall of Fame. He died January 4, aged 77

Derrick Thomas

Thomas played 11 seasons for theKansas City Chiefs.He was a 6-time All-Pro selection (1st team 1990–1992, 2nd team 1993, 1994, 1996) and a 9-time Pro Bowl selection (1989–1997). He was named to the1990s All-Decade Team.He owns NFL record for sacks in a game with 7, which he achieved in 1990. He was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. He died February 8 of apulmonary embolism,aged 33. He is the only player inducted into the Hall of Fame that died while still active in the NFL.

Tom Landry

Landry was the first head coach of theDallas Cowboys.He won 2 Super BowlsVIandXII.He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. He died February 12, aged 75.

Active personnel

• Fred Lane,Indianapolis Coltsrunning back, homicide, died on July 6.
• Eric Turner,Oakland Raiderssafety, stomach cancer, died on May 28.

Regular season

Scheduling formula

Inter-conference AFC EastvsNFC Central AFC CentralvsNFC East AFC WestvsNFC West

Highlights of the 2000 season included:

• Thanksgiving:Two games were played on Thursday, November 23, featuringNew EnglandatDetroitand theMinnesotaatDallas,with Detroit and Minnesota winning.

Final regular season standings

AFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(3)Miami Dolphins	11	5	0	.688	323	226	W1
(6)Indianapolis Colts	10	6	0	.625	429	326	W3
New York Jets	9	7	0	.563	321	321	L3
Buffalo Bills	8	8	0	.500	315	350	W1
New England Patriots	5	11	0	.313	276	338	L1

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(1)Tennessee Titans	13	3	0	.813	346	191	W4
(4)Baltimore Ravens	12	4	0	.750	333	165	W7
Pittsburgh Steelers	9	7	0	.563	321	255	W2
Jacksonville Jaguars	7	9	0	.438	367	327	L2
Cincinnati Bengals	4	12	0	.250	185	359	L1
Cleveland Browns	3	13	0	.188	161	419	L5

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(2)Oakland Raiders	12	4	0	.750	479	299	W1
(5)Denver Broncos	11	5	0	.688	485	369	W1
Kansas City Chiefs	7	9	0	.438	355	354	L1
Seattle Seahawks	6	10	0	.375	320	405	L1
San Diego Chargers	1	15	0	.063	269	440	L4

NFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(1)New York Giants	12	4	0	.750	328	246	W5
(4)Philadelphia Eagles	11	5	0	.688	351	245	W2
Washington Redskins	8	8	0	.500	281	269	W1
Dallas Cowboys	5	11	0	.313	294	361	L2
Arizona Cardinals	3	13	0	.188	210	443	L7

NFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(2)Minnesota Vikings	11	5	0	.688	397	371	L3
(5)Tampa Bay Buccaneers	10	6	0	.625	388	269	L1
Green Bay Packers	9	7	0	.563	353	323	W4
Detroit Lions	9	7	0	.563	307	307	L1
Chicago Bears	5	11	0	.313	216	355	W1

NFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(3)New Orleans Saints	10	6	0	.625	354	305	L1
(6)St. Louis Rams	10	6	0	.625	540	471	W1
Carolina Panthers	7	9	0	.438	310	310	L1
San Francisco 49ers	6	10	0	.375	388	422	L1
Atlanta Falcons	4	12	0	.250	252	413	W1

Tiebreakers

• Green Bay finished ahead of Detroit in the NFC Central based on better division record (5–3 to Lions' 3–5).
• New Orleans finished ahead of St. Louis in the NFC West based on better division record (7–1 to Rams' 5–3).
• Tampa Bay was the second NFC Wild Card based on head-to-head victory over St. Louis (1–0).

Playoffs

Main article:2000–01 NFL playoffs

	Dec 31 –PSINet Stadium					Jan 7 –Adelphia Coliseum
	5	Denver	3
						4	Baltimore	24
	4	Baltimore	21								Jan 14 – Network Associates Coliseum
						1	Tennessee	10
						AFC
	Dec 30 –Pro Player Stadium										4	Baltimore	16
						Jan 6 –Network Associates Coliseum
											2	Oakland	3
	6	Indianapolis	17								AFC Championship
						3	Miami	0
	3	Miami	23*													Jan 28 –Raymond James Stadium
						2	Oakland	27
	Wild Card playoffs
						Divisional playoffs
	Dec 30 –Louisiana Superdome															A4	Baltimore	34
						Jan 6 –Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
																N1	NY Giants	7
	6	St. Louis	28													Super Bowl XXXV
						3	New Orleans	16
	3	New Orleans	31								Jan 14 – Giants Stadium
						2	Minnesota	34
						NFC
	Dec 31 –Veterans Stadium										2	Minnesota	0
						Jan 7 –Giants Stadium
											1	NY Giants	41
	5	Tampa Bay	3								NFC Championship
						4	Philadelphia	10
	4	Philadelphia	21
						1	NY Giants	20

*Indicates OT victory

Milestones

The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:

Record	Player/team	Date/opponent	Previous record holder
Most rushing yards gained, game	Corey Dillon,Cincinnati (278)	October 22, vs. Denver	Walter Payton,Chicago vs. Minnesota, November 20, 1977 (275)
Most pass receptions, game	Terrell Owens,San Francisco (20)	December 17, vs. Chicago	Tom Fears,L.A. Ramsvs. Green Bay, December 3, 1950 (18)
Most points, career	Gary Anderson,Minnesota	October 22, vs. Buffalo	George Blanda1949–1975 (2,002)
Most two-point conversions by a team, game	St. Louis (4)	October 15, vs. Atlanta	Tied by 2 teams (3)
Most yards gained by a team, season	St. Louis (7,075)	N/A	Miami, 1984 (6,936)
Most passing yards gained by a team, season	St. Louis (5,232)	N/A	Miami, 1984 (5,018)

Statistical leaders

Team

Points scored	St. Louis Rams(540)
Total yards gained	St. Louis Rams (7,075)
Yards rushing	Oakland Raiders(2,470)
Yards passing	St. Louis Rams (5,232)
Fewest points allowed	Baltimore Ravens (165)
Fewest total yards allowed	Tennessee Titans(3,813)
Fewest rushing yards allowed	Baltimore Ravens (970)
Fewest passing yards allowed	Tennessee Titans (2,423)

Individual

Scoring	Marshall Faulk,St. Louis(160 points)
Touchdowns	Marshall Faulk, St. Louis (26 TDs)
Most field goals made	Matt Stover,Baltimore(35 FGs)
Rushing	Edgerrin James,Indianapolis(1,709 yards)
Passing yards	Peyton Manning,Indianapolis(4,413 yards)
Passing touchdowns	Daunte Culpepper,MinnesotaandPeyton Manning,Indianapolis(33 TDs)
Receptions	Marvin Harrison,Indianapolis andMuhsin Muhammad,Carolina(102 catches)
Receiving yards	Torry Holt,St. Louis (1,635)
Receiving touchdowns	Randy Moss,Minnesota (15 touchdowns)
Punt returns	Jermaine Lewis,Baltimore (16.1 average yards)
Kickoff returns	Darrick Vaughn,Atlanta(27.7 average yards)
Interceptions	Darren Sharper,Green Bay(9)
Punting	Darren Bennett,San Diego(46.2 average yards)
Sacks	La'Roi Glover,New Orleans(17)

Awards

Most Valuable Player	Marshall Faulk,running back,St. Louis
Coach of the Year	Jim Haslett,New Orleans
Offensive Player of the Year	Marshall Faulk, running back, St. Louis
Defensive Player of the Year	Ray Lewis,linebacker,Baltimore
Offensive Rookie of the Year	Mike Anderson,running back,Denver
Defensive Rookie of the Year	Brian Urlacher,linebacker,Chicago
NFL Comeback Player of the Year	Joe Johnson,defensive end,New Orleans
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year	Jim Flanigan,defensive tackle,Chicago andDerrick Brooks,linebacker,Tampa Bay
Super Bowl most valuable player	Ray Lewis, linebacker, Baltimore

Coaching changes

• Arizona Cardinals–Vince Tobinfired seven games into season; replaced byDave McGinnis.McGinnis held job through the2003 season.
• Cincinnati Bengals–Dick LeBeau;replacedBruce Cosletwho was fired during the 2000 season.
• Dallas Cowboys–Dave Campo;replacedChan Gaileywho was fired after the 1999 season.
• Green Bay Packers–Mike Sherman;replacedRay Rhodeswho was fired after the 1999 season.
• Miami Dolphins–Dave Wannstedt;replacedJimmy Johnsonwho retired after the 1999 season.
• New England Patriots–Bill Belichick;replacedPete Carrollwho was fired after the 1999 season.
• New Orleans Saints–Jim Haslett;replacedMike Ditkawho was fired after the 1999 season.
• New York Jets–Al Groh;replacedBill Belichickwho replacedBill Parcellswho retired to become the full-time General Manager after the 1999 season. Belichick was hired by the New England Patriots shortly after he resigned from the Jets.
• St. Louis Rams–Mike Martz;replacedDick Vermeilwho retired after winningSuper Bowl XXXIV.

Stadium changes

• TheCincinnati Bengalsmoved fromCinergy FieldtoPaul Brown Stadium,named after team founderPaul Brown
• TheSeattle Seahawksbegan playing atHusky Stadiumwhile theKingdomewas demolished anda new Seahawks stadiumbuilt in its place
• Giants Stadium's Astroturf was replaced with natural grass

Uniform and logo changes

• TheBaltimore Ravensintroduced a new Ravens wordmark logo, a new Ravens shield logo was placed on the sleeve ends, and there was new pants stripping with the "B" logo on hips.
• TheKansas City Chiefsbegan wearing red pants with their white jerseys for first time since1988.
• TheNew England Patriotsintroduced new uniforms, darkening the shade of their blue from royal to nautical blue. The new white jerseys were worn with blue block numbers and blue pants.
• TheNew Orleans Saintsupdated theirfleur-de-lishelmet logo to be a bit smaller but with a wider white and black outline. Also introduced was an alternative old gold logo. They also returned to wearing old gold pants with their white jerseys.
• TheNew York Giantsunveiled new uniforms. The blue jerseys were a modernized version of the team's design used in the 1950s. The white jerseys still retained elements of the 1980s design (such as the 1980s' blue collars and nameplates, and missing the 1950s' red sleeve stripes) but with red numbers like the 1950s version. Gray pants were worn with both the blue and white jerseys. The helmet also returned to featuring the lowercase "ny" logo, in addition to the TV numbers moving from the sleeve to the shoulder.
• TheSt. Louis Ramsintroduced new uniforms, darkening the shades of blue and gold to "New Century Blue" and "Millennium Gold". Among other modifications, the curling rams horns on the sleeves were replaced by a new logo featuring charging ram's head, in addition to the TV numbers moving from the sleeve to the shoulder.

Television

This was the third year under the league's eight-year broadcast contracts withABC,CBS,Fox,and ESPN to televiseMonday Night Football,the AFC package, the NFC package, andSunday Night Football,respectively.

ABC firedBoomer Esiason,reportedly because he andAl Michaelsnever got along in theMNFbooth. The network decided to go in a radical direction by hiring comedianDennis Miller,along withDan Fouts,to join Michaels.

Dick Enbergjoined CBS, becoming the #2 play-by-play commentator, alongsideDan Dierdorf,whileVerne Lundquistreturned to call college football for the network. Also,Mike DitkajoinedThe NFL Todayas an analyst.

External links

• Football Outsiders 2000 DVOA Ratings and Commentary
• Pro Football Reference.com – 2000

References

• NFL Record and Fact Book(ISBN1-932994-36-X)
• NFL History 1991–2000(Last accessed October 17, 2005)
• Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League(ISBN0-06-270174-6)
• Steelers Fever – History of NFL Rules(Last accessed October 17, 2005)