2003 NFL Season Recap

Originally published on Sept. 27, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, February 1st, 2004, the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII to win the 84th championship in NFL history. It was the second championship for the Patriots franchise as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady won his second Super Bowl MVP Award. The game was held at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair were co-champions of the 2003 MVP Award, as Manning had 29 passing touchdowns and 4,267 passing yards, while McNair scored 24 passing touchdowns and 3,215 passing yards. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis won the 2003 Defensive Player of the Year Award with six interceptions, two forced fumbles and one and a half sacks.

Out of Playoffs: Miami Dolphins (10-6), Minnesota Vikings (9-7), New Orleans Saints (8-8), Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), San Francisco 49ers (7-9), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9), Chicago Bears (7-9), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-10), New York Jets (6-10), Buffalo Bills (6-10), Washington Redskins (5-11), Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11), Houston Texans (5-11), Detroit Lions (5-11), Atlanta Falcons (5-11), Cleveland Browns (5-11), Oakland Raiders (4-12), San Diego Chargers (4-12), New York Giants (4-12), Arizona Cardinals (4-12)

Out in first round: Baltimore Ravens (L 20-17 to Titans), Seattle Seahawks (L 33-27 (OT) to Packers), Denver Broncos (L 41-10 to Colts), Dallas Cowboys (L 29-10 to Panthers)

Out in second round: Kansas City Chiefs (L 38-31 to Colts), St. Louis Rams (L 29-23 (2OT) to Panthers), Green Bay Packers (L 20-17 (OT) to Eagles), Tennessee Titans (L 17-14 to Patriots)

Out in third round: Philadelphia Eagles (L 14-3 to Panthers), Indianapolis Colts (L 24-14 to Patriots)

Most passing touchdowns: #4 Brett Favre (Packers)- 32 TD

Most rushing touchdowns: #31 Priest Holmes (Chiefs)- 27 TD

Most receiving touchdowns: #84 Randy Moss (Vikings)- 17 TD

Most sacks: #92 Michael Strahan (Giants)- 18.5 sacks

Most forced fumbles: #56 LaVar Arrington (Redskins)- 6 FF & 2 fumble recoveries

Most interceptions: #33 Tony Parrish (49ers)- 9 INT & 202 yds

Best field goal percentage (min. 12 attempts): #13 Mike Vanderjagt (Colts)- 37 for 37, 100%

Scoring Summary

 

Link to stats database: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/