NFL

Sunday picks

By ROGER MILLS
Published September 21, 2003

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Tampa Bay (1-1) at Atlanta (1-1)

Life without Michael Vick hasn't been disastrous, but embarrassed Bucs aren't going to take things lightly.

Mills pick: Bucs 24, Falcons 3

NY Jets (0-2) at New England (1-1)

The Jets string of successes against the Patriots is over, for now. New England has steadied itself.

Mills pick: Patriots 21, Jets 10

Pittsburgh (1-1) at Cincinnati (0-2)

Rivalry? Surging Bengals? Steelers turmoil? Whatever, Bengals play hard, but lose.

Mills pick: Steelers 34, Bengals 14

Jacksonville (0-2) at Indianapolis (2-0)

The Jaguars are 0-4 all time against the Colts and that isn't likely to change now that Tony Dungy is getting his defense to play.

Mills pick: Colts 28, Jaguars 10

Minnesota (2-0) at Detroit (1-1)

The Vikings are actually playing some defense and Daunte Culpepper has been efficient. Randy Moss explodes.

Mills pick: Vikings 30, Lions 21

New Orleans (0-2) at Tennessee (1-1)

Should be a nasty, close fight with the Titans emerging by a field goal late.

Mills pick: Titans 13, Saints 10 Kansas City (2-0) at Houston (1-1)

The Chiefs' excellence on offense, defense and special teams will be too much for the upstart Texans.

Mills pick: Chiefs 30, Texans 14

NY Giants (1-1) at Washington (2-0)

If the Cowboys could find holes in the Giants pass defense, what will Steve Spurrier do, discover the Grand Canyon?

Mills pick: Redskins 27, Giants 21

Green Bay (1-1) at Arizona (0-2)

On any given Sunday, right?. Cardinals have no chance. No chance. And further more, no chance!

Mills pick: Packers 30, Cardinals 9

St. Louis (1-1) at Seattle (2-0)

The Seahawks lead the NFL with 10 takeaways and have commited none. Not the same for the Rams.

Mills pick: Seahawks 17, Rams 14

Baltimore (1-1) at San Diego (0-2)

Okay, Jamal Lewis doesn't get the NFl record, but gets the ball again, and the Chargers pay.

Mills pick: Ravens 21, Chargers 6

Cleveland (0-2) at San Francisco (1-1)

Shoot, considering how porous the Browns run defense looked last week, even Jeff Garcia is lacing up his track cleats.

Mills pick: 49ers 30, Browns 10

Buffalo (2-0) at Miami (1-1)

Are the Bills that good? To go 3-0 and surge two games ahead of the Dolphins this early? Nope.

Mills pick: Dolphins 24, Bills 21

[Last modified September 21, 2003, 02:03:13]

Baseball

Rogers proves value of able No. 5

AL: Red Sox collapse vs. Indians

Mariners muscle back into race

NL: Marlins recover to gain lead

Three arrested in killing outside ballpark

College football

Homeschooled

Seminoles at turns imperfect, impressive

Suit or not, OSU wants Clarett

'Canes rout Eagles

FSU by the numbers

FSU game balls

Thorpe has motivation, better game

Wimbley makes case for playing time

Iowa D stifles Devils

Oregon shuts down Michigan

Even matchup turns on a late TD for LSU

Tennessee quotes

UF quotebook

Clausen strikes up the band again

Previously potent offense produces puny performance

UF by the numbers

UF game balls

Conferences

ACC: Wolfpack gets win, but allows 681 yards

Big East: Late TD sends Pitt to defeat

State: Third time's no charm for UCF

Big XII: K-State comes up 2 yards shy

C-USA: Vandy's no worry for a hurting TCU

Nation: Air Force's ground attack downs Wyoming

Big Ten: Buckeyes follow familiar script in victory

Pac-10: Five FGs redeem Cougars

SEC: N. Illinois burns 2nd ranked foe

Golf

Players needing exemption fill 84 Lumber leaderboard

In brief

U.S. runner takes home $500,000

Motorsports

T. Labonte's revival prelude to end

Teenager wins, takes Busch lead

NFL

Getting a grasp on good tackling

Fisher fuming over fouls, flags

Sunday picks

Things that make you go, hmmmmmm

NHL

Rookie Staal carries 'Canes

Opinion

Rant, Rave

Outdoors

Daily fishing report

FWC changes rules to protect pompano

Preps

Bowerman takes Bishop meet title

Finding a helmet for Rebel turns into big operation

Meyer tops boys

Seminole, weather halt PHU's streak

Running

Teats uses late rush to romp

Soccer

Freddy!

North Korea, Norway open strong

Scurry is back in focus

Tennis

Bryan twins give U.S. team 2-1 lead

Letters: Baldelli, not Matsui, is the best newcomer

Rays

Yankees still in another league

Clemens nears end of historic career

Rays Tales

The vow to spend smarter

Gotta Minute? Rays

Gotta minute? Lou Piniella

Bucs

Trust is the Key

Sideline

Proof of their plight? Flags still are there

A quick moment with Rip Van Wansley

Sunday matchup

Letters: Dirty play putting tarnish on laurels

Lightning

Assistant making progress