The 2004 season of the National Football League (NFL) was the 85th one played by the major professional American football league in the United States. With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9 2004 to January 2 2005. Due to hurricanes, two of the Miami Dolphins' regular season home games were rescheduled. The game against the Tennessee Titans was moved up one day to Saturday, September 11 to avoid oncoming Hurricane Ivan. And the game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 26 was moved back 7 1/2 hours to miss the eye of Hurricane Jeanne. is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The NFL playoffs following the 2004 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIX. // at Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington Game time: 4:30 p. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Date February 6, 2005 Stadium ALLTEL Stadium City Jacksonville, Florida MVP Deion Branch, Wide receiver Favorite Patriots by 7 National anthem Combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S... Alltel Stadium is a football stadium located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida next to the St. ... “Jacksonville” redirects here. ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Bill Belichick (de facto) Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present... The 2005 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played February 13, 2005 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. ... is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... In an organised sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. ... NFL redirects here. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2004, and lasted until November 30, 2004. ... City Miami Gardens, Florida Other nicknames The Fins Team colors Aqua, Coral, White and Navy Head Coach Cam Cameron Owner H. Wayne Huizenga General manager Randy Mueller Mascot T.D. League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1966-1969) Eastern Division (1966-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 254th day of the year (255th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Lowest pressure 910 mbar (hPa) Damage $19. ... “Steelers” redirects here. ... is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Hurricane Jeanne was the tenth named storm, the seventh hurricane, and the fifth major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. ...

The playoffs began on January 8, and eventually New England repeated* as NFL champions* when they defeated* the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, the Super Bowl championship game, at ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6. The NFL playoffs following the 2004 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIX. // at Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington Game time: 4:30 p. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Date February 6, 2005 Stadium ALLTEL Stadium City Jacksonville, Florida MVP Deion Branch, Wide receiver Favorite Patriots by 7 National anthem Combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S... The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Major rule changes

• Due to several incidents during the 2003 NFL season, officials are authorized to penalize excessive celebration. The 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be marked off from the spot at the end of the previous play or, after a score, on the ensuing kickoff. If the infraction is ruled flagrant by the officials, the player can be ejected.
• Due to several instances during the 2003-04 playoffs, officials are instructed to strictly enforce illegal contact, pass interference, and defensive holding.
• Timeouts can be called by head coaches.
• In addition to the numbers 80-89, wide receivers will now be allowed to use numbers 10-19.
• A punt or missed field goal that is untouched by the receiving team is immediately dead once it touches either the end zone or any member of the kicking team in the end zone. Previously, a punt or missed field goal that lands in the end zone before being controlled by the kicking team could be picked up by a member of the receiving team and immediately run the other way.
• Teams will be awarded a third instant replay challenge if their first two are successful. Previously, teams were only limited to two regardless of what occurred during the game.

The 2003 NFL season was the 84th regular season of the National Football League. ... The NFL playoffs following the 2003 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXVIII. Beginning with the 2003-04 season, the NFL changed the selection procedures regarding officials for playoffs games. ... The wide receiver (WR) position in American and Canadian football is the pass-catching specialist. ...

Final standings

W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against

The AFC East refers to the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Gang Green, the Green and White Team colors Hunter green and white Head Coach Eric Mangini Owner Woody Johnson General manager Mike Tannenbaum League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference... City Orchard Park, New York Team colors Navy blue, light blue, Red, light Red, White, Royal, and Nickel Head Coach Dick Jauron Owner Ralph Wilson General manager Marv Levy Mascot Billy Buffalo League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American... The AFC North refers to the Northern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League that was created prior to the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... City Baltimore, Maryland Team colors Purple, Black, and Gold Head Coach Brian Billick Owner Steve Bisciotti General manager Ozzie Newsome Mascot The Ravens: Edgar, Allan, & Poe League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1996–present) American Football Conference (1996-present) AFC Central (1996-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team history Baltimore... Information in this article or section has not been verified against sources and may not be reliable. ... “Browns” redirects here. ... The AFC South refers to the Southern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League that was created prior to the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... City Indianapolis, Indiana Team colors Speed Blue and White Head Coach Tony Dungy Owner Jim Irsay General manager Bill Polian Mascot Blue [1] League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1953–present) Western Conference (1953-1969) Coastal Division (1967-1969) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC East (1970-2001) AFC South... City Jacksonville, Florida Team colors Teal, Black, White, and Gold Head Coach Jack Del Rio Owner Wayne Weaver General manager James Harris Mascot Jaxson de Ville League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1995–present) American Football Conference (1995-present) AFC Central (1995-2001) AFC South (2002-present) Team history Jacksonville... City Houston, Texas Team colors Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red, and Liberty White Head Coach Gary Kubiak Owner Bob McNair General manager Rick Smith Mascot Toro League/Conference affiliations National Football League (2002–present) American Football Conference (2002-present) AFC South (2002-present) Team history Houston Texans (2002–present) Championships... The AFC West is a division of the National Football Leagues American Football Conference. ... “Chargers” redirects here. ... City Denver, Colorado Other nicknames Orange Crush (1977-1979 defense) Team colors Orange, Broncos Navy Blue, and White[1] Head Coach Mike Shanahan Owner Pat Bowlen General manager Ted Sundquist Mascot Miles League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American... City Kansas City, Missouri Team colors Red, white and yellow Head Coach Herman Edwards Owner The Hunt Family (Clark Hunt, chairman)[1] General manager Carl Peterson Mascot K.C. Wolf (1989-present) Warpaint (1963-1988) League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League... City Oakland, California Other nicknames The Silver and Black Team colors Silver and Black Head Coach Lane Kiffin Owner Al Davis General manager Al Davis League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–1969) Western Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC West (1970... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the current National Football League team. ... City Irving, Texas Other nicknames Americas Team, The Boys Team colors Royal Blue (PMS 661), Silver-Green (PMS 8280), Silver (PMS 8240), and Navy Blue (PMS 282) Head Coach Wade Phillips Owner Jerry Jones General manager Jerry Jones League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1960–present) Northern Conference (1960... For other uses, see Redskins (disambiguation). ... The NFC North refers to the Northern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League that was created prior to the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... “Packers” redirects here. ... City Minneapolis, Minnesota Other nicknames The Vikes, The Purple People Eaters Team colors Purple, Gold, and White Head Coach Brad Childress Owner Zygi Wilf General manager Rob Brzezinski Fight song Skol, Vikings Mascot Ragnar League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1961–present) Western Conference (1961-1969) Central Division (1967-1969... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue and Orange Head Coach Barney Fartenhimer Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National Football... The NFC South refers to the Southern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League that was created in 2002 when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... City Atlanta, Georgia Team colors Black, Red, and White Head Coach Bobby Petrino Owner Arthur Blank General manager Rich McKay Mascot Freddie Falcon League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This May 2007 does not cite any references or sources. ... The NFC West refers to the Western Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... City Seattle, Washington Team colors Pacific Blue, Navy Blue, Neon Green, White Head Coach Mike Holmgren Owner Paul Allen General manager Tim Ruskell Mascot Blitz, and Taima the hawk League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1977-2001) AFC West (1977-2001) National Football Conference (1976... City St. ... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red, The Buzzsaw Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner Bill Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager Lal Heneghan Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division...

Tiebreakers

• Indianapolis clinched the AFC 3 seed instead of San Diego based on better head-to-head record (1-0).
• N.Y. Jets clinched the AFC 5 seed instead of Denver based on better record in common games (5-0 to 3-2).
• St. Louis clinched the NFC 5 seed instead of Minnesota or New Orleans based on better conference record (7-5 to Minnesota's 5-7 to New Orleans' 6-6).
• Minnesota clinched the NFC 6 seed instead of New Orleans based on better head-to-head record (1-0).
• N.Y. Giants finished ahead of Dallas and Washington in the NFC East based on better head-to-head record (3-1 to Dallas' 2-2 to Washington's 1-3).
• Dallas finished ahead of Washington in the NFC East based on better head-to-head record (2-0).

Playoffs

Main article: NFL playoffs, 2004-05

Home team in Bold

The NFL playoffs following the 2004 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIX. // at Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington Game time: 4:30 p. ... American Football Conference logo. ... National Football Conference logo. ... “Steelers” redirects here. ... The AFC North refers to the Northern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League that was created prior to the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The AFC East refers to the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League. ... City Atlanta, Georgia Team colors Black, Red, and White Head Coach Bobby Petrino Owner Arthur Blank General manager Rich McKay Mascot Freddie Falcon League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970... The NFC South refers to the Southern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League that was created in 2002 when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... City Indianapolis, Indiana Team colors Speed Blue and White Head Coach Tony Dungy Owner Jim Irsay General manager Bill Polian Mascot Blue [1] League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1953–present) Western Conference (1953-1969) Coastal Division (1967-1969) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC East (1970-2001) AFC South... The AFC South refers to the Southern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League that was created prior to the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... “Packers” redirects here. ... The NFC North refers to the Northern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League that was created prior to the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... “Chargers” redirects here. ... The AFC West is a division of the National Football Leagues American Football Conference. ... City Seattle, Washington Team colors Pacific Blue, Navy Blue, Neon Green, White Head Coach Mike Holmgren Owner Paul Allen General manager Tim Ruskell Mascot Blitz, and Taima the hawk League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1977-2001) AFC West (1977-2001) National Football Conference (1976... The NFC West refers to the Western Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Gang Green, the Green and White Team colors Hunter green and white Head Coach Eric Mangini Owner Woody Johnson General manager Mike Tannenbaum League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference... City St. ... City Denver, Colorado Other nicknames Orange Crush (1977-1979 defense) Team colors Orange, Broncos Navy Blue, and White[1] Head Coach Mike Shanahan Owner Pat Bowlen General manager Ted Sundquist Mascot Miles League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American... City Minneapolis, Minnesota Other nicknames The Vikes, The Purple People Eaters Team colors Purple, Gold, and White Head Coach Brad Childress Owner Zygi Wilf General manager Rob Brzezinski Fight song Skol, Vikings Mascot Ragnar League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1961–present) Western Conference (1961-1969) Central Division (1967-1969...

AFC

• Wild-Card playoffs: N.Y. Jets 20, San Diego 17 (OT); Indianapolis 49, Denver 24
• Divisional playoffs: Pittsburgh 20, N.Y. Jets 17 (OT); New England 20, Indianapolis 3
• AFC Championship: New England 41, Pittsburgh 27 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 23, 2005

Heinz Field is a football stadium located in the North Shore neighborhood, just across the Allegheny River from downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... City nickname: The Steel City Location in the state of Pennsylvania Founded 1758 Mayor Tom Murphy (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water 151. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

NFC

• Wild-Card playoffs: St. Louis 27, Seattle 20; Minnesota 31, Green Bay 17
• Divisional playoffs: Atlanta 47, St. Louis 17; Philadelphia 27, Minnesota 14
• NFC Championship: Philadelphia 27, Atlanta 10 at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 23, 2005

Lincoln Financial Field, familiarly known as The Linc, is the home stadium of the National Football Leagues Philadelphia Eagles. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ...

Super Bowl

• Super Bowl XXXIX: New England (AFC) 24, Philadelphia (NFC) 21 at ALLTEL Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida, February 6, 2005

is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Milestones

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

Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana)[1] is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise. ... For other persons of the same name, see Edward Reed. ...

Statistical leaders

Team

Individual

This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Shaun Alexander (born August 30, 1977 in Florence, Kentucky) is an American football player in the National Football League. ... Curtis Martin is a former American football running back. ... Tony Gonzalez (born February 27, 1976 in Torrance, California) is an American football tight end who has played his entire NFL career for the Kansas City Chiefs. ... Muhsin Muhammad, II (born Melvin Campbell on May 5, 1973) is an American Football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. // Muhammad was born in Lansing, Michigan. ... Edward Lamar Drummond (born April 12, 1980 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a professional American football player for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. ... Willie Ponder is an American football player. ... Shane Lechler (born August 7, 1976 in East Bernard, Texas) is an American football punter who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders. ... Dwight Jason Freeney (born February 19, 1980 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American football player who currently plays defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts. ...

Awards

Navy quarterback Aaron Polanco sets up to throw. ... The NFL Coach of the Year Award is presented annually by the Associated Press to the NFL coach who has done the most outstanding job of working with the talent he has at his disposal. ... Martin Edward Schottenheimer (born September 23, 1943 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania) is an American football coach. ... The NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award is given annually by the Associated Press to the offensive player of the National Football League believed to have had the most outstanding season. ... The NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the leagues most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971. ... In American football and Canadian football, the termsafety can refer to: two positions in the most-common defensive backfield setup, the strong safety and the free safety, or a type of score, worth one or two points. ... Since 1967 The Associated Press has given two annual Rookie of the Year Awards to NFL American football players: one for an offensive player and one for a defensive player. ... Ben Roethlisberger (born March 2, 1982, in Findlay, Ohio[1]), is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He led his team to a victory against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL in just his second year in the league and is the youngest quarterback... Jonathan Polynice Vilma (born April 16, 1982 in Coral Gables, Florida) is an American football player who currently plays middle linebacker for the New York Jets of the NFL. He is one of several NFL players of Haitian descent. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. ... Andrew Christopher Brees (born January 15, 1979 in Austin, Texas) is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. The San Diego Chargers originally selected him as the first pick of the 2001 NFL Drafts second round. ...

References

• NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 1-932994-36-X)
• NFL History 2001- (Last accessed October 17, 2005)
• Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (ISBN 0-06-270174-6)
• Celebration penalty among rules changes (Last accessed October 17, 2005)