Winners and losers, NFL-style

By Jeff Moore Sports Central Columnist

As the 2003 NFL season draws to a close, a number of teams are still left competing for division titles and wildcard playoff births. In the end, only one team will be able to proclaim themselves the ultimate winner after the Super Bowl in Houston.

Not every team will make the playoffs and not every player will make the Pro Bowl. However, some victories can be a good statistical showing or even a comeback after a tough injury.

Not surprisingly, there are also a number of disappointments that sometimes result in some serious consequences.

Winner: Priest Holmes -- The talk of the offseason was his hip injury. Even the Kansas City Chiefs appeared uncertain of Holmes' status as they drafted Larry Johnson, a running back from Penn State in the first-round. Holmes has picked up where he left off before the injury and he once again leads the league in rushing touchdowns and is ready to lead the Chiefs deep into the playoffs.

Loser: William Green -- After a less than spectacular rookie season for the Cleveland Browns, Green was starting to look like the back that Butch Davis thought he could be after rushing for 1,285 yards and 6 touchdowns over his last 14 games played. Then Green was suspended by Davis for one game and then the league handed out a four-game suspension after Green was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Green's season looks like it has ended early and his career with the Browns may be in jeopardy.

Winner: Bill Parcells -- The Tuna has once again demonstrated why he is one of the greatest coaches the NFL has seen. Parcells has taken an underperforming Dallas Cowboy team and turned them into winners. The Cowboys must be ahead of even Parcells' schedule and "America's Team" most likely is not through surprising people yet.

Loser: Bill Callahan -- After going to the Super Bowl last season, the Oakland Raiders have underperformed for their coach and were in a freefall long before Rich Gannon was lost for the rest of the season. Since winning the AFC Championship last year, starting center Barrett Robbins went missing the night before the Super Bowl, the Raiders were humiliated in the big game with their worst performance of the year, linebacker Bill Romanowski broke a teammates' face in a fight during a preseason practice, and the Raiders have only won three games since last January. Callahan has lost his team and Al Davis may look for someone else to find it.

Winner: Marvin Lewis -- There hasn't been a great deal of good news in Cincinnati for a decade. Lewis took over the coaching reins this season and has given the Bengals a winning attitude. There may still be a playoff run for the Bengals and they have already played spoiler to the Chiefs during their undefeated run this season. No one is talking about linebacker Takeo Spikes being let go or the grumbling of Corey Dillon. The Bengals have turned a corner, thanks to Lewis.

Loser: Dan Reeves -- Reeves was the winningest active coach this NFL season. The Georgia Dome was sold out for the season and the Falcons looked to build upon their stunning playoff victory against the Green Bay Packers last season when they handed the Pack their first-ever playoff loss at Lambeau Field. Instead, (overhyped) superstar Michael Vick broke his leg in his first exhibition game and the Falcons' season went into the tank. To cap it all off for Reeves, the Falcons informed him they would release him from his contract after this season. Reeves asked to be released immediately and the Falcons obliged him. Where would the Falcons be if Vick hadn't gotten injured? No one knows, but Reeves must wonder.

Winner: Chad Johnson -- When was the last time a Bengal receiver lead the AFC in yards and touchdown receptions with three weeks left in the season?

Loser: Keyshawn Johnson -- When was the last time that a starting receiver who cost his team two first-round picks to acquire him was told to go home and not come back?

Winner: Doug Flutie -- Even at age 41, the veteran San Diego Charger QB can win a game for his team. Against Minnesota, Flutie threw for two touchdowns and ran for another two scores. Coach Marty Schottenheimer was looking for a spark for his struggling offense. The little general responded with a huge game.

Loser: Drew Brees -- Being benched and shown up by a 41-year-old can only be seen as a serious step backwards for Brees. The Chargers don't have many options at QB and Brees needs to step up.

Winner: Carolina Panthers -- With a stifling defense and a conservative offense, the Panthers are following a familiar script for winning in the NFL. This team needs to be taken seriously and head coach John Fox should get serious consideration for Coach of the Year.

Loser: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Anytime the defending Super Bowl champions are under .500 with only three games to go in the season, that must be a disappointment. The once-overpowering defense is still a good one, but hasn't been able to hold the leads and take the Bucs to victory like last year.

Winner: Philadelphia Eagles -- The Eagles shook off a shaky start and are playing their best football at just the right time. No one is questioning QB Donovan McNabb's ankle anymore and coach Andy Reid is looking to ensure that the road to the Super Bowl runs right through the city of Brotherly Love.

Loser: Buffalo Bills -- Head coach Gregg Williams has been on the hot seat as the Bills have lost seven of their last 11 games after beginning the season with two convincing wins. The Bills were supposed to make a serious move this season. Although there have been great improvements on defense, QB Drew Bledsoe and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride appear to have lost the scoring touch. A poor finish most likely leads to coaching vacancy in Buffalo.

Loser: The BCS and National Championship Game -- Yeah, yeah, it isn't the NFL, but it has to be the biggest loser in football this year.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.