There are two remaining undefeated NFL teams. The New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts both won this weekend and are both 13-0 heading into Week 15. Both teams have three regular season games remaining, and I am here to say that both teams will at least end the regular season 16-0.
The Saint’s remaining regular season schedule is fairly weak. Next week, the Saints play on the NFL Network’s Saturday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have lost the past two weeks, granted against two good teams (Giants and Chargers), and consistently have played poorly in December. The Saints have played unbelievably at home this year, and will use the emotional atmosphere of the SuperDome to fuel their play. This game will be New Orleans’ toughest remaining regular season matchup. The Saints play Tampa Bay at home Week 16. The combination of the Bucs poor play and the Saints’ dominance at home this year will make for a blowout. In Week 17, the final week of the regular season, the Saints play the Carolina Panthers on the road. Carolina has been a mediocre football team this year, and will not beat New Orleans unless New Orleans gives the game away. The only way this would happen would be if the Saints defense broke down and allowed the Panthers to score often. Playing on the road has been a difficult test for the Saints this year, as the team has almost lost multiple road games to inferior opponents.
The Saints should be able to end the regular season undefeated. If the Saints can beat the Cowboys next week on Saturday Night Football, the stage is set for the Saints to cruise to a 16-0 regular season.
The Indianapolis Colts also have a favorable schedule to end the regular season. In Week 15, the Colts will face their toughest test against Jacksonville on the road. The Jaguars are an AFC South team that has shown the ability to beat the Colts in the past, even when the Colts have been the superior team. The fact that the Colts are playing on the road also provides a difficult test. If the Colts can win next week, the team will have two relatively easy games left on the schedule. In Week 16, the Colts will play at home against the Jets. The Jets are in turmoil right now, as Mark Sanchez, who hasn’t played well this year, is coming off a knee injury that he suffered against the Buffalo Bills. Finally, in Week 17, the Colts and Bills will play at Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo has struggled this season and may well be packing up for the offseason by the time the Colts come to town.
Therefore, if the Colts can beat rival Jacksonville on the road next week, the team will be well on its way to an undefeated regular season.
Now the playoffs may be a different story. Both teams have shown the ability to come from behind on multiple occasions against non-playoff teams. However, as the teams play become more talented each week, the margin for error is reduced significantly. Therefore, lets examine the playoff matchups on a week by week scale.
Both teams will get a bye in the opening round of the playoffs. The following predictions are based upon the current records and how I believe these teams will finish their seasons. The Colts will most likely play the winner of Cincinnati v. the 5 seed, which could go to any one of four teams. Cincinnati hasn’t been the most consistent team this year. The Bengals can either play a great game based upon a strong running game and stout defense, or they can play poorly and abandon the running game. If the Bengals can pound the ball through the running game and control the clock, the Colts may have a tough time winning in the Divisional Round. In the AFC Championship, the Colts would play either the New England Patriots, the San Diego Chargers, or one of the lower seeds. The New England Patriots and Chargers use more passing style offenses than the Bengals, but I think the Colts would be more likely to beat these teams. The Colts thrive when Peyton Manning and the offense are on the field. Teams like Cincinnati hold on to the ball for a long time and limit Manning’s effectiveness. However, passing teams typically do not hold the ball for as long, which allows the dynamic Colt offense more scoring opportunities. Therefore, the Colts would most likely have a favorable matchup in the AFC Championship.
In the NFC Divisional Round, The Saints would most likely play either the Arizona Cardinals or the Green Bay Packers. The Saints will win this game, simply because of their consistent dominance at home. In the NFC Championship Game, the Saints would most likely play the Vikings, Eagles, or some other low seed. The Vikings and Eagles would both provide tough tests for the Saints because of the combination of strong defense and dynamic offense on both sides. The difference will be the response of the Saints defense to these strong offenses. In addition, the Saints’ 12th Man, the fans in the Super Dome, will provide a difficult atmosphere for the opposing team.
If these teams pass these many tests and enter the Super Bowl with undefeated records, it will be a Super Bowl that will be unmatched in terms of hype. It would be the only time that a Super Bowl will pair two undefeated team, and only the third time that any undefeated team has played in the Super Bowl. I believe that the Saints would win this dream matchup. The Colts have not blown out teams the way the Saints have. The Colts have narrowly escaped defeat in many games this year, while the Saints have been extremely impressive, especially in their home games. Balmy Miami will feel just like the 70 degree SuperDome that the Saints call their home. Therefore, it will still take some impressive wins by both teams to produce an undefeated Super Bowl matchup, but if it does occur, the Saints will win this matchup of the undefeated teams.
Nice post Bob… unfortunately the saints and colts will meet their demise this January by the same team.. THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES WILL BE SUPERBOWL CHAMPS
the Super Bowl takes place in February. But yes, the Eagles look like a strong playoff contender with the combination of strong defense and a dynamic offense.
RIP Broncos Undefeated Season