The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League (NFL).
With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004, to January 2, 2005. Hurricanes forced the rescheduling of two Miami Dolphins home games: the game against the Tennessee Titans was moved up one day to Saturday, September 11 to avoid oncoming Hurricane Ivan, while the game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 26 was moved back 7½ hours to miss the eye of Hurricane Jeanne.
The playoffs began on January 8, and eventually the New England Patriots repeated as NFL champions when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24–21 in Super Bowl XXXIX at ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6. It would mark the last time a team won back-to-back Super Bowls until 2023 (that team being the Kansas City Chiefs).
Transactions February 24, 2004, The Washington Redskins released Bruce Smith, the NFL's all-time sack leader, saving $6.5 million in salary cap space.
Draft The 2004 NFL draft was held from April 24 to 25, 2004, at New York City's Theater at Madison Square Garden. With the first pick, the San Diego Chargers selected quarterback Eli Manning from the University of Mississippi.
Referee changes Ron Blum returned to line judge (where he officiated Super Bowl XXIV and Super Bowl XXVI), and Bill Vinovich was promoted to take his place as referee.
Midway through the season, Johnny Grier, the NFL's first African-American referee, suffered a leg injury that forced him to retire, and became an officiating supervisor for the NFL the following season. He was permanently replaced by the back judge on his crew, Scott Green, who had previous experience as a referee in NFL Europe.
Rule changes Due to several incidents during the previous year, 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(s) are ejected. Timeouts can be called by head coaches. The league's jersey numbering system was modified to allow wide receivers wear numbers 10–19, in addition to 80–89. 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 one-bar facemask was outlawed. The few remaining players who still used the one-bar facemask at the time were allowed to continue to use the style for the remainder of their career under a grandfather clause. (Scott Player was the last player to wear the one-bar facemask in ).
2004 deaths Pat Tillman former safety for the Arizona Cardinals was killed in a friendly fire incident during the war in Afghanistan. Reggie White former defensive end for the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Carolina Panthers unexpectedly died on December 26, 2004, just seven days after his 43rd birthday from complications of sleep apnea.
Notable Retirements
Ricky Williams Bruce Smith Keith Hamilton Ed McCaffrey Shannon Sharpe Bill Romanowski John Randle Rod Woodson Kevin Donnalley Joe Johnson Frank Wycheck Mo Lewis Larry Centers Frank Sanders Neil O'Donnell John Mobley Michael Bates Sam Garnes Adam Meadows Dave Szott John Jett Hunter Goodwin Lincoln Kennedy Steve Beuerlein Jimmy Spencer Darren Woodson Barret Robbins Jamie Nails Todd Perry Tim Ruddy Mark Dixon Alex Van Pelt Robert Porcher (after week 8) Darrell Russell Clyde Simmons
Final regular season standings
Conference standings
Playoffs
The Miami Dolphins were the first team to be eliminated from the playoff race, having reached a 1–9 record by week 11.
Bracket
Milestones The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:
RecordPlayer/teamDate/opponentPrevious record holder Longest interception return Ed Reed, Baltimore (106 yards) November 7, vs Cleveland Tied by 2 players (103) Most touchdown passes, season Peyton Manning, Indianapolis (49) N/A Dan Marino, Miami, 1984 (48) Highest passer rating, season Peyton Manning, Indianapolis (121.1) Steve Young, San Francisco, 1994 (112.8) Most interception return yards gained, season Ed Reed, Baltimore (358) Charlie McNeil, San Diego, 1961 (349) Most first downs by a team, season Kansas City (398) Miami, 1994 (387) Most consecutive games won New England (21) October 24, vs. N.Y. Jets Chicago, 1933–34 (17) Most passing touchdowns by a team, season Indianapolis (51) N/A Miami, 1984 (49)
The Colts led the NFL with 522 points scored. The Colts tallied more points in the first half of each of their games of the 2004 NFL season (277 points) than seven other NFL teams managed in the entire season. Despite throwing for 49 touchdown passes, Peyton Manning attempted fewer than 500 passes for the first time in his NFL career. The San Francisco 49ers' record 420 consecutive scoring games that had started in Week 5 of the 1977 season ended in Week 3 of the season.
Statistical leaders
Team Points scoredIndianapolis Colts (522)Total yards gainedKansas City Chiefs (6,695)Yards rushingAtlanta Falcons (2,672)Yards passingIndianapolis Colts (4,623)Fewest points allowedPittsburgh Steelers (251)Fewest total yards allowedPittsburgh Steelers (4,134)Fewest rushing yards allowedPittsburgh Steelers (1,299)Fewest passing yards allowedTampa Bay Buccaneers (2,579)
Individual ScoringAdam Vinatieri, New England (141 points)TouchdownsShaun Alexander, Seattle (20 TDs)Most field goals madeAdam Vinatieri, New England (31 FGs)PassingDaunte Culpepper, Minnesota (4717 yards)Passing TouchdownsPeyton Manning, Indianapolis (49 TDs)Passer RatingPeyton Manning, Indianapolis (121.1 rating)RushingCurtis Martin, New York Jets (1,697 yards)Rushing TouchdownsLaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (17 TDs)ReceptionsTony Gonzalez, Kansas City (102)Receiving yardsMuhsin Muhammad, Carolina (1,405)Punt returnsEddie Drummond, Detroit (13.2 average yards)Kickoff returnsWillie Ponder, New York Giants (26.9 average yards)InterceptionsEd Reed, Baltimore (9)PuntingShane Lechler, Oakland (46.7 average yards)SacksDwight Freeney, Indianapolis (16)
Awards Most Valuable PlayerPeyton Manning, quarterback, IndianapolisCoach of the YearMarty Schottenheimer, San DiegoOffensive Player of the YearPeyton Manning, quarterback, IndianapolisDefensive Player of the YearEd Reed, Strong Safety, BaltimoreOffensive Rookie of the YearBen Roethlisberger, quarterback, PittsburghDefensive Rookie of the YearJonathan Vilma, linebacker, New York JetsNFL Comeback Player of the YearDrew Brees, quarterback, San DiegoWalter Payton NFL Man of the YearWarrick Dunn, running back, AtlantaSuper Bowl Most Valuable PlayerDeion Branch, wide receiver, New England
Head coach/front office changes Head coach Team Departing coach Interim coach Incoming coach Reason for leaving Notes Arizona Cardinals Fired After spending two seasons as an analyst for ESPN, Green was hired as head coach by the Arizona Cardinals on January 7, 2004. Atlanta Falcons Reeves was fired after winning just three of the first thirteen games of the 2003 season, with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips serving as interim coach for the last three games. Mora was previously the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 1999 until 2003. Buffalo Bills After three seasons in which the team compiled records of 3–13, 8–8, and 6–10 under his leadership, Williams' contract was allowed to expire after the 2003 season. Mularkey served as the Steelers offensive coordinator for the past three seasons. Chicago Bears Jauron coached the Bears for five seasons (1999–2003), finishing with a 35–45 regular season record and one playoff appearance. Smith was the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams for three seasons under head coach Mike Martz. While in St. Louis, Smith improved the Rams' defense from giving up a league-worst 29.4 points per game in 2000, to an average of 17.1 points per game in 2001. Upon arriving in Chicago, Smith stated he had three goals: beat the Green Bay Packers, win the NFC North, and win a Super Bowl. New York Giants On December 17, 2003, with two games remaining in what became a 4-12 season and knowing that the team was near certain to let him go at its conclusion, Fassel announced he would resign after the season. After being out of football in 2003, former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin was hired to replace Fassel as head coach of the Giants in January 2004. Oakland Raiders Callahan was fired by Raiders owner Al Davis on January 1, 2004, after a lackluster 4–12 season. Turner was offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2002 and 2003. Washington Redskins Resigned Spurrier resigned on December 30, 2003, choosing to walk away from $15 million still owed to him over the remaining three years of his contract. In January 2004, Gibbs accepted an offer from Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to return to the team. In the eleven years since Gibbs retired as the Redskins head coach, many NFL owners had approached Gibbs hoping to lure him out of his retirement of managing his NASCAR racing team, but to no avail. At his press conference, Gibbs stated that even though he enjoyed NASCAR, he had also missed coaching in the NFL. Gibbs left his racing team in the hands of his eldest son, J. D., while his other son, Coy, joined him as an assistant with the Redskins.
Front office Team Departing executive Incoming executive Reason for leaving Notes Atlanta Falcons Fired On December 12, 2003, McKay and the Buccaneers came to an agreement that would see McKay leave the organization with the freedom to join any team he wanted with no compensation required. On December 15, 2003, McKay became president and general manager of the Falcons. Miami Dolphins Retired Spielman was promoted from senior vice president of football operations after the 2003 season to replace the retiring Jones. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mutual agreement Following the 2003 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave McKay permission to leave the team as his relationship with Super Bowl XXXVII-winning coach Jon Gruden had deteriorated. The Glazer family hired Raiders senior executive Bruce Allen to replace McKay, as Allen had previously worked with Gruden in Oakland.
Stadium changes Carolina Panthers: Ericsson Stadium was renamed Bank of America Stadium after Bank of America acquired the naming rights. Minnesota Vikings: The AstroTurf at the Metrodome was replaced with a new FieldTurf field. Oakland Raiders: Network Associates Coliseum was renamed McAfee Coliseum to reflect naming right holder, Network Associates, changing its name to McAfee. San Francisco 49ers: Monster Cable acquired the naming rights to Candlestick Park, renaming it merely to "Monster Park" without any qualifier. This eventually results in confusion among fans who erroneously think the name instead refers to Monster.com or Monster Energy. Seattle Seahawks: Seahawks Stadium was renamed Qwest Field after telecommunications carrier Qwest acquired the naming rights.
New uniforms The Atlanta Falcons switched the primary and alternate jerseys, making the red ones the primary and the black ones the alternate. The Baltimore Ravens added black third alternative uniforms.