2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the games for September 16 - September 17 were postponed and re-scheduled to the weekend of January 6- January 7. In order to retain the full playoff format, all playoff games were re-scheduled too.
The season ended with Super Bowl XXXVI when the New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams.
[edit] Major rule changes
- Fumble recoveries will be awarded at the spot of the recovery, not where the player's momentum carries him.
- Taunting rules will be strictly enforced.
- Roughing the passer will be strictly enforced.
[edit] Final standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against
[edit] Tiebreakers
- New England finished ahead of Miami in the AFC East based on better division record (6-2 to Dolphins' 5-3).
- Cleveland finished ahead of Tennessee in the AFC Central based on better division record (5-5 to Titans' 3-7).
- Jacksonville finished ahead of Cincinnati in the AFC Central based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).
- N.Y. Giants finished ahead of Arizona in the NFC East based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).
- New Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta in the NFC West based on better division record (4-4 to Falcons' 3-5).
- Baltimore was the second AFC Wild Card based on better record against common opponents (3-2 to Jets' 2-2).
- Green Bay was the first NFC Wild Card based on better conference record (9-3 to 49ers' 8-4).
[edit] Playoffs
- Main article: NFL playoffs, 2001-02
- Home team in capitals
- Wild-Card playoffs: OAKLAND 38, N.Y. Jets 24; Baltimore 20, MIAMI 3
- Divisional playoffs: NEW ENGLAND 16, Oakland 13 (OT); PITTSBURGH 27, Baltimore 10
- AFC Championship: New England 24, PITTSBURGH 17
- Wild-Card playoffs: PHILADELPHIA 31, Tampa Bay 9; GREEN BAY 25, San Francisco 15
- Divisional playoffs: Philladelphia 33, CHICAGO 19; ST. LOUIS 45, Green Bay 17
- NFC Championship: ST. LOUIS 29, Philadelphia 24
[edit] Statistical leaders
| Points scored | St. Louis Rams (503)
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| Total yards gained | St. Louis Rams (6,930)
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| Yards rushing | Pittsburgh Steelers (2,774)
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| Yards passing | St. Louis Rams (4,903)
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| Fewest points allowed | Chicago Bears (203)
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| Fewest total yards allowed | Pittsburgh Steelers (4,504)
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| Fewest rushing yards allowed | Pittsburgh Steelers (1,195)
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| Fewest passing yards allowed | Dallas Cowboys (3,019)
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[edit] Individual
| Scoring | Marshall Faulk, St. Louis (128 points)
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| Touchdowns | Marshall Faulk, St. Louis (21 TDs)
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| Most field goals made | Jason Elam, Denver (31 FGs)
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| Rushing | Priest Holmes, Kansas City (1,555 yards)
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| Passing | Kurt Warner, St. Louis (101.4 rating)
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| Passing touchdowns | Kurt Warner, St. Louis (36 TDs)
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| Pass receiving | Rod Smith, Denver (113 catches)
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| Pass receiving yards | David Boston, Arizona (1,598)
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| Punt returns | Troy Brown, New England (14.2 average yards)
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| Kickoff returns | Ronney Jenkins, San Diego (26.6 average yards)
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| Interceptions | Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay and Anthony Henry, Cleveland (10)
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| Punting | Todd Sauerbrun, Carolina (47.5 average yards)
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| Sacks | Michael Strahan, New York Giants (22.5)
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[edit] Awards
| Most Valuable Player | Kurt Warner, Quarterback, St. Louis
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| Coach of the Year | Dick Jauron, Chicago
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| Offensive Player of the Year | Marshall Faulk, Running back, St. Louis
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| Defensive Player of the Year | Michael Strahan, Defensive End, New York Giants
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| Offensive Rookie of the Year | Anthony Thomas, Running Back, Chicago
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| Defensive Rookie of the Year | Kendrell Bell, Linebacker, Pittsburgh
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| NFL Comeback Player of the Year | Garrison Hearst, Running Back, San Francisco
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[edit] References
