2003 NFL season

American football season March 2026 the American football season in the United States the Gaelic football season in Ireland 2003 National Football League (Ireland) November 2013 2003 New England Patriots September 4 – December 28, 2003 January 3, 2004 New England Patriots Indianapolis Colts Carolina Panthers Philadelphia Eagles XXXVIII February 1, 2004 Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas February 8, 2004 The 2003 NFL season was the 84th regular season of the National Football League (NFL). Regular-season play was held from September 4, 2003, to December 28, 2003. Due to damage caused by the Cedar Fire, Qualcomm Stadium was used as an emergency shelter, and thus the Miami Dolphins–San Diego Chargers regular-season game on October 27 was instead played at Sun Devil Stadium, the home field of the Arizona Cardinals. This was the first season in NFL history where every team won at least 4 games. The playoffs began on January 3, 2004. The NFL title was won by the New England Patriots when they defeated the Carolina Panthers 32–29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, on February 1. Draft The 2003 NFL draft was held from April 26 to 27, 2003, at New York City's Theater at Madison Square Garden. With the first pick, the Cincinnati Bengals selected quarterback Carson Palmer from the University of Southern California. Referee changes Dick Hantak and Bob McElwee retired in the 2003 off-season. Hantak joined the league as a back judge (the position title was changed to field judge in 1998) in 1978, and was assigned Super Bowl XVII in that position. He was promoted to referee in 1986, working Super Bowl XXVII. McElwee joined the NFL in 1976 as a line judge, and became a referee in 1980. He was the referee for three Super Bowls: XXII, XXVIII, and XXXIV. Walt Anderson and Pete Morelli were promoted to referee to replace Hantak and McElwee. Major rule changes thumb|"NFL Kickoff" event on September 4, 2003: Joe Theismann (L) and Joe Namath (R) at a military tribute If an onside kick inside the final five minutes of the game does not go 10 yards, goes out of bounds, or is touched illegally, the receiving team will have the option of accepting the penalty and getting the ball immediately. Previously, the kicking team was penalized, but had another chance to kick again from five yards back. League officials encouraged networks to immediately cut to a commercial break if an instant replay challenge review was initiated. Previously networks were generally not permitted to utilize those game stoppages for their prescribed commercial periods.http://buffalonews.com/2004/03/27/execs-plan-only-minor-procedures/ Execs Plan Only Minor Procedures The Buffalo News Mark Gaughan March 27, 2003 March 24, 2017 March 25, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170325024950/http://buffalonews.com/2004/03/27/execs-plan-only-minor-procedures/ live 2003 deaths John Butler: A former general manager with the Buffalo Bills, whose team qualified for Super Bowl XXVIII and the San Diego Chargers,http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/memorial/sdc/butler.html John Butler (1946-2003) February 1, 2021 December 18, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191218111407/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/memorial/sdc/butler.html dead he died of lymphoma on April 11, 2003. David Woodley: Having played for the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII, Woodley died from complications due to kidney and liver failure on May 4, 2003.Pro Football Weekly Woodley's death sad but powerful http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/Miami/Features/2003/bikoff050703.htm Bikoff, Ken May 7, 2003 September 1, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20050702012304/http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/Miami/Features/2003/bikoff050703.htm July 2, 2005 Twenty years after Super Bowl XVII, he became the youngest Super Bowl starting quarterback to die, until the death of Super Bowl XXXIV starter Steve McNair at age 36 in 2009. Woodley was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Shreveport, alongside his parents. Pro Football Hall of Fame Sid Gillman: A former head coach and general manager with the San Diego Chargers, Gillman died in his sleep on January 3, 2003, at the age of 91. https://buffalonews.com/news/legendary-gillman-dies-at-91/article_d98f2507-498f-5e7a-b80f-5cb5d64068a6.html Buffalo News Legendary Gillman dies at 91 Susan Martin January 4, 2003 January 15, 2021 January 21, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210121201754/https://buffalonews.com/news/legendary-gillman-dies-at-91/article_d98f2507-498f-5e7a-b80f-5cb5d64068a6.html live He was interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California. Notable Retirements John Jackson Raghib Ismail Qadry Ismail Darrell Green Marvcus Patton Desmond Howard Bryan Cox James Allen Brenden Stai Bob Christian Henry Jones Willie Jones Damon Gibson Eric Metcalf Final regular season standings Conference standings Playoffs 2003–04 NFL playoffs New England Patriots East Kansas City Chiefs West Indianapolis Colts South Baltimore Ravens North Tennessee Titans Denver Broncos Philadelphia Eagles East St. Louis Rams West Carolina Panthers South Green Bay Packers North Seattle Seahawks Dallas Cowboys 2003 Bracket Milestones The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season: RecordPlayer or teamDate/opponentPrevious record holder2005 NFL Record and Fact Book 2005 NFL 978-1-932994-36-0 Records Most touchdowns, season Priest Holmes, Kansas City (27) December 28, vs. Chicago Marshall Faulk, St. Louis, 2000 (26) Most rushing yards gained, game Jamal Lewis, Baltimore (295) September 14, vs. Cleveland Corey Dillon, Cincinnati vs. Denver, October 22, 2000 (278) Most consecutive field goals Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis December 28, at Houston Gary Anderson, 1997–98 (40) Most consecutive road games lost Detroit Lions December 21, vs. Carolina Houston Oilers, 1981–84 (23) Most consecutive games with a sack Tampa Bay Buccaneers (69) November 9, 2003 Dallas Cowboys (68) Statistical leaders Team Points scoredKansas City Chiefs (484)Total yards gainedMinnesota Vikings (6,294)Yards rushingBaltimore Ravens (2,674)Yards passingIndianapolis Colts (4,179)Fewest points allowedNew England Patriots (238)Fewest total yards allowedDallas Cowboys (4,056)Fewest rushing yards allowedTennessee Titans (1,295)Fewest passing yards allowedDallas Cowboys (2,631) Individual ScoringJeff Wilkins, St. Louis (163 points)TouchdownsPriest Holmes, Kansas City (27 TDs)Most field goals madeJeff Wilkins, St. Louis (39 FGs)RushingJamal Lewis, Baltimore (2,066 yards)PassingPeyton Manning, Indianapolis (4,267 yards)Passing touchdownsBrett Favre, Green Bay (32 TDs)Pass receivingTorry Holt, St. Louis (117 catches)Pass receiving yardsTorry Holt, St. Louis (1,696)Pass receiving touchdownsRandy Moss, Minnesota (17 touchdowns)Punt returnsDante Hall, Kansas City (16.3 average yards)Kickoff returnsJerry Azumah, Chicago (29.0 average yards)InterceptionsBrian Russell, Minnesota and Tony Parrish, San Francisco (9)PuntingShane Lechler, Oakland (46.9 average yards)SacksMichael Strahan, New York Giants (18.5) Awards Most Valuable PlayerPeyton Manning, quarterback, Indianapolis and Steve McNair, quarterback, Tennessee Titans (as of 2025, this is the most recent season without a consensus MVP)Treacy Dan NFL Co-MVPs? Revisiting 2003 Peyton Manning vs. Steve McNair debate and history of MVP ties Sporting News 2026-02-03 https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-co-mvps-2003-peyton-manning-steve-mcnair-mvp-ties/2eedd5c58eca8696ea1ee8be 2026-04-24 April 29, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260429185207/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-co-mvps-2003-peyton-manning-steve-mcnair-mvp-ties/2eedd5c58eca8696ea1ee8be live Coach of the YearBill Belichick, New EnglandOffensive Player of the YearJamal Lewis, running back, BaltimoreDefensive Player of the YearRay Lewis, linebacker, BaltimoreOffensive Rookie of the YearAnquan Boldin, wide receiver, ArizonaDefensive Rookie of the YearTerrell Suggs, linebacker, BaltimoreNFL Comeback Player of the YearJon Kitna, quarterback, CincinnatiWalter Payton NFL Man of the YearWill Shields, guard, Kansas CitySuper Bowl Most Valuable PlayerTom Brady, quarterback, New England Head coach/front office changes Head coach Cincinnati Bengals – Marvin Lewis replaced Dick LeBeau who was fired following the 2002 season. Dallas Cowboys – Bill Parcells replaced Dave Campo who was fired following the 2002 season. Detroit Lions – Steve Mariucci replaced Marty Mornhinweg who was fired following the 2002 season. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jack Del Rio replaced Tom Coughlin who was fired following the 2002 season. San Francisco 49ers – Dennis Erickson replaced Steve Mariucci who was fired following the 2002 season. Front office Arizona Cardinals – Rod Graves replaced Bob Ferguson, who was fired following the 2002 season. Jacksonville Jaguars – James "Shack" Harris replaced former head coach Tom Coughlin, who was fired following the 2002 season. Seattle Seahawks – Bob Ferguson replaced head coach Mike Holmgren, who agreed to step down as general manager to focus on coaching the team. San Diego Chargers – A. J. Smith replaced John Butler, who died of lymphoma on April 11, 2003. Stadium changes thumb|Tennessee at Green Bay in the preseason; both teams made the playoffs Baltimore Ravens: Ravens Stadium was renamed M&T Bank Stadium after M&T Bank acquired the naming rights Chicago Bears: The Bears moved back to a newly renovated Soldier Field after temporarily playing in 2002 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles moved from Veterans Stadium to Lincoln Financial Field, with Lincoln Financial Group acquiring the naming rights San Francisco 49ers: After the naming rights deal with 3Com expired, the stadium was officially renamed San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point instead of its original Candlestick Park name In addition, new turf was installed for the following teams: Atlanta Falcons: New FieldTurf surface Buffalo Bills: New AstroPlay home turf New Orleans Saints: New AstroPlay home turf by mid-season New York Giants, New York Jets: New FieldTurf surface replacing natural grass. New uniforms The Atlanta Falcons unveiled a new uniform design featuring red trim down the sides of both the jerseys and pants. The pants were switched from gray to white, and black pants were also introduced for selected games. Black remained the primary jersey color while a red alternate jersey was also introduced. The falcons helmet logo was redesigned to be more aggressive and closely resemble a capital "F". The Cincinnati Bengals added new alternate black pants with their black jerseys for select home games. The Cleveland Browns added new alternate orange pants last worn during the 1970s-early 1980s Kardiac Kids era of coach Sam Rutigliano. The Denver Broncos introduced blue pants with orange streaks to match with their blue jerseys. The Detroit Lions introduced a new design that added black trim to their logo and jerseys, and changed their face masks from blue to black. The Houston Texans added red third alternate uniforms. The Miami Dolphins added orange third alternate uniforms. The New England Patriots added silver third alternate uniforms. The New Orleans Saints wore gold pants full time, discontinuing using black pants with their white jerseys. The Philadelphia Eagles added silver trim to the jersey numbers on uniforms, and black third alternate uniforms. The St. Louis Rams added alternate blue pants to their road uniforms. The San Diego Chargers wore white pants instead of blue with their white jerseys. They wore blue pants with their blue jerseys for the game vs. the Dolphins which had to be moved from San Diego to Arizona due to wildfires in southern California. The Tennessee Titans added powder blue third alternate uniforms. Television This was the sixth year under the league's eight-year broadcast contracts with ABC, CBS, Fox, and ESPN to televise Monday Night Football, the AFC package, the NFC package, and Sunday Night Football, respectively. At Fox, Tony Siragusa joined Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston on the network's #2 broadcast team in a sideline analyst role instead of the traditional sideline reporter. At CBS it was Greg Gumbel’s final season as lead play by play commentator with Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian. It would be Beasley Reece’s last season as color commentator for the first time since 1999, after serving as a sideline reporter from 2000-2002. This would also be The SEC football on CBS’s Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman’s last season with the NFL on CBS after week 2 as they were no longer needed being replaced by Bill Macatee. Also on The NFL today studio it was Jim Nantz’s final season as studio host as he and Greg Gumbel would trade places the following year. Verne Lundquist would call his first NFL game at CBS since 2000 week 1 covering the Patriots Bills matchup with his former partner Dan Dierdorf. Notes References NFL Record and Fact Book (1-932994-36-X) NFL History 2001– (Last accessed October 17, 2005) Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (0-06-270174-6) External links Football Outsiders 2003 Team Efficiency Ratings Pro Football Reference.com – 2003 Category:NFL seasons National Football League