I'm predicting it right now: Two teams will finish the season undefeated (according to the NFL) and neither of them will make it to the Super Bowl.
New Orleans has the easiest path to undefeated. Their toughest test is this week when Dallas comes to town. But it's Romo and it's December which means the 8-5 'Boys are gonna lose. Then the terrifying 1-12 Buccaneers limp into the Superdome for their beating. And finally, New Orleans travels to the 5-8 Panthers for the Saints' 16th win of the year.
The Colts don't have it quite as easy. First they travel to the 7-6 Jaguars. This is definitely their toughest challenge remaining as well because Jacksonville is built to beat the Colts. They rarely do it, but it's what they are designed to do. After Jacksonville, Indianapolis welcomes the 7-6 Jets to town. No contest. And then they travel to frosty Buffalo to beat T.O. and the Bills for the Colts' 16th victory.
I know what you're thinking: How can I foresee two teams going undefeated yet neither of them making it to the big dance? I'm glad you asked.
Neither Indy nor New Orleans has really impressed this year. The teams that the Colts have played average .500 so far this year and the Saints have played teams that average a paltry .333! Not only that but the Colts had a stretch where they had to mount a fourth quarter comeback five games in a row! Against San Fran (6-7), and twice against the 6-7 Houston Texans!
So, who's going to beat these "undefeated" teams? Well, the Patriots have already proven that they can handle the Colts. If their game were a backyard match up (you know, where first downs and pass interference calls are made accurately) the Patriots walk away with the victory. But, the way the Patriots are playing, they're lucky if they make it out of the wild card round. Even if they do win there, it's likely the Bengals lose which means for the Patriots to knock off the Colts they'd have to go through the Chargers and that's not going to happen. Speaking of the Chargers: They are on an unbelievable winning streak and they are peaking at the right time. The Chargers will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Will they face the undefeated Saints? Nope. 5 of the Saints 13 wins are against teams over .500 and 3 of those teams are sitting at 7-6. They've almost lost to the 1-12 Rams and the 4-9 Redskins. This is the first time this team is in the limelight. Once they hit the post season, they won't know what to do with themselves. So who will unseat them? To be honest, of the playoff teams (were the season over today) I think several have a good chance at defeating the Saints. The Cardinals secondary could put an end to the deep threat but their line is still good at stopping the run. The Eagles definitely match up well against New Orleans. But the team that the Saints definitely will not get past is the Vikings. The Purple People will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Now, the real question is: Let's say my prediction turns out completely incorrect. Let's suppose the Saints and the Colts both make it to the Super Bowl undefeated. One team will complete the feat of 19-0. Which team do you root for?
3 comments:
Clearly the colts walk away with a superbowl victory. Even though the colts pass defense is their only weakness, I do think that if freeney, mathis and Brock are all healthy then the colts will win the superbowl. Deservingly so.
A team that needs the ball to "bounce thier way" late in the fourth quarter in order to secure half of thier victories is not a team that can win in the post season. The caliber of team that makes it to the playoffs does over throw thier wide open receiver on the 15 yard line with about a minute remaining. The caliber of referees in the playoffs don't blow two major calls in a row (including a blatant first down on fourth and 2) to hand one team the game over another.
If the Colts want to win in the post season, they can't be trailing in the fourth, like they've done for an NFL record 7 times this season.
If they don't turn it around, there's no Super Bowl for Dallas Clark and his Colts.
So much for that prediction. I guess whatever I predict doesn't happen. Oo! I hereby predict a Colts Super Bowl victory. Take that Peyton!
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