After 9/11, Matt knew the problems in his life were small compared to the problems of the nation. But he still couldn't help worrying about Julie and the baby, and it affected his play. By early October, Julie was at twenty weeks and still had a long way to go. Although some amniotic fluid had reaccumulated, the level of fluid was still low. On a happier note, in early October they also found out that the baby was a girl.

Matt's play was not as good this season, and no doubt it was due to the stress. Although the stress let up somewhat by early November once Julie hit twenty-four weeks and the baby was viable if born now, it was still there. Matt's head was not in it. The week after Thanksgiving, when Julie was almost twenty-eight weeks, Matt had one of his worst games ever and the team fell to 5-5.

After the game, he visited Julie in the hospital. Julie said, "I saw the game today. Boy, did you get spanked. What is up with you? One game you look great and the next you look awful!"

Matt sighed and said, "I don't know. I think it's the stress. I keep thinking about you and the baby and wondering if you're okay."

Julie said, "Matt, the baby and I will be fine. We're in good hands. Matt, I want you to go out and play for us. It'll be your motivation."

Armed with that, Matt went on a rampage for an undefeated December. Not even he and the kids coming down with strep throat stopped it. By Christmas, Julie was almost thirty-two weeks and her fluid levels were higher than they'd been in a long time. This gave Matt a glimmer of hope in a season of hope. But little did they know that the January from hell was right around the corner.