These are the picks for the 2005 season. Bold represents the team selected to win. Games in red represent the Upset of the Week. At the bottom, The weekly and overall records for the season appear at the bottom. These picks are based purely on winners and losers with no consideration from the spread. The spread is only used to determine upsets for the Upset of the Week.
It what might be the game of the year, the Indianapolis Colts traded blows with the Cincinnati Bengals for four quarters. The game featured 62 points in the first half, almost 1,000 yards of total offense, and just three punts. In the end, Indy managed a technical knockout with a game-clinching drive that sealed the win. Final score: 45-37. The victory pushed the Colts' win total to 10 without a single loss.
The question is when does the streak come to an end? As good as this Colts team is, they have some challenging obstacles to overcome if they are to complete the regular season without a loss:
The schedule, part I: Next up for Indianapolis is Pittsburgh, a team that knocked off the two undefeated teams in consecutive weeks last season when they blew out Philadelphia and New England. If the Steelers aren't able to stop the Colts, Jacksonville, San Diego, and Seattle are all good enough to put an end to the Colts' run.
DE-FENSE, de-fense: Coming off a season where the Colts set records offensively (49 touchdown passes in a season and three wide outs with 1,000 yards receiving and at least 10 touchdowns), Indianapolis had difficulties scoring through the first five games of the season, averaging just 21 points a game. The saving grace was the defense finally arrived, allowing less than six per game. Head coach Tony Dungy, known for his defense during his days coaching Tampa Bay, finally had the speedy players to execute his desires. Indianapolis also showed a willingness to hit defensively, a trait absent in years past. But in the last six games, opponents are moving the ball, but more importantly are scoring at a 24.6 per game clip. More than anything, this deficiency could doom any hopes of putting the team in the history books.
The schedule, part II: Imagine if the Colts win next week, the following week, and the week after that. That would be 13 wins and maybe enough to claim home field throughout the playoffs. At that point, health comes before history. Dungy likely will give the starters a chance to play, but will bench them after cameo appearances. He did so in the past, resting the starters and sacrificing a game to Denver. When the very same teams met in the playoffs, the Colts throttled the Broncos. You need your very best players for the playoffs so why risk injury to key players?
And when the starters take their seats, can the likes of quarterback Jim Sorgi, running back James Mungro, receivers Troy Walters and Aaron Morehead, and tight end Ben Hartsock scare anybody? Without defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis rushing the passer, opponents will have time to throw. The Chargers and Seahawks are two of the last three teams Indy will play. Sure the starters could put the team ahead by two scores. But do the back-ups have enough to hold on to a lead?
The distraction: All season long, as New England kept rolling up the consecutive victories last year, players were asked constantly about the consecutive games winning streak. Over and over again, they repeated, "We're just taking it one game at a time." Who did they think they were fooling? The streak was on their minds. They could deflect it all they want, but it was swirling in their heads. Freeney told the sports world that the team wants to go undefeated. But will setting that goal take their focus away from winning the next game?
Mercury Morris, running back for the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team, believes Indianapolis is the best team to threaten the record. The closest a team came was 13 wins to start the season by the 1985 Chicago Bears. Going undefeated had been done before, but no team has done so again. The streak of teams falling short of making history will continue.
Going 10-6 is far from historic, but it puts me in a good mood heading into the holiday weekend. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Atlanta at Detroit - Thursday - W
The loser of the game might be just as happy because no one on the team would receive that incredibly ugly player of the game trophy handed out by Fox Sports. This year, the Galloping Gobbler goes to a player on the Falcons.
Denver at Dallas - Thursday - W
I only hope they wear throwback uniforms, not so much for Dallas, but Denver. I wanna see those Orange Crush jerseys! In honor of the teams that wore the "D" on their helmet and shut down opposing offenses, the current Broncos put on a performance reminiscent of the heralded unit and quiet the Cowboys.
Carolina at Buffalo - W
After absorbing eight sacks, 'Lina passer Jake Delhomme now reflexively ducks right after the ball is snapped. Once he gets over the fear, he will direct the Panthers to a solid win over the Bills.
Baltimore at Cincinnati - W
If Baltimore is to win, they'd have to change their name to the Natural Disasters. They just broke a 12-quarter touchdown Drought. Now they need an Avalanche of points for any chance against Cincy. It's not gonna happen. Baltimore might have a drizzle of scoring, but the Bengals will downpour numbers.
St. Louis at Houston - L
The all-blue look has gots ta go for the Rams. It was a depressing loss for St. Louis as they failed to defend their home field against a bad Arizona team. The mood will drop down to somber after the Rams lose to an even worse Texans team in the Upset of the Week.
New England at Kansas City - L
Running back Larry Johnson chewed up yards like the average person on Thanksgiving. He ate for two. After gorging, Johnson plans on cutting back, but will be left starving because New England won't be giving large portions. Johnson and the Chiefs are left starving by the Patriots.
Cleveland at Minnesota - W
I really don't get it. Minnesota isn't doing much of anything, but they've won three games in a row. Whether it's extraordinary special team performances, lucky bounces, hand of God, or Lemony Snicket style (A series of fortunate events), things are going their way. Why go against karma? I'll roll with the Vikings.
Chicago at Tampa Bay - L
T.B. scored 30 points in a win without a single reception by leading receiver Joey Galloway. Imagine how much they could score if he gets any touches. Galloway will get his as the Buccaneers edge the Bears.
San Francisco at Tennessee - L
San Fran broke a streak of 47 consecutive possessions without an offensive touchdown. But saying it was offensive futility would be wrong. They were fasting. The 49ers won't get enough of scoring as they run it up on the Titans.
San Diego at Washington - W
I was never on the jock of the Redskins during first half of the season. Yeah, they were playing well, but I wasn't sold they could keep up the pace offensively with a minimalist offense. It's not that the game has passed by head coach Joe Gibbs. He isn't able to catch up. The Chargers will show Gibbs and the 'Skins how to play in today's league.
Jacksonville at Arizona - W
30 two weeks ago, 31 this week. The Jaguars are increasing their offensive output and could have an offensive spike against a porous Cardinals defense.
Miami at Oakland - L
Two quarterbacks had their chances for the Dolphins to get the offense going. Word is they want to give Cleo Lemon a chance at the helm as well since Miami can't be any less productive. It will be another struggle as they just can't keep up with the Raiders.
Green Bay at Philadelphia - W
Unfortunately Chunky Soup can't heal physical ailments. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is done for the year and will undergo surgery. Head coach Andy Reid did like what he saw out of McNabb's replacement, Mike McMahon, especially in the second half. All McMahon has to do is protect the ball for the Eagles because the Packers will squander away this game.
New York Giants at Seattle - W
Way to recover by the Giants special teams. After an embarrassing performance the week before, they came back and blocked a field goal. The big challenge this week will be fighting through blocks to stop the Seattle offense. New York will come up just short as the Seahawks hold on to win.
New Orleans at New York Jets - L
As bad as this season has been for New York, there may be a silver lining. Running back Curtis Martin is on pace for his eleventh consecutive 1,000-yard season, which would be a league record. He will get a step closer as he tears through the Saints defense in a Jets win.
Pittsburgh at Indianapolis - Monday Night - W
There was no way Pittsburgh would play this game without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. They'll give up a loss to Baltimore for a chance to be the streak killers for the third time in two seasons, and they'd have no chance if Big Ben was on the bench. The Steelers will come close, but the young corners get burned by the Colts passing attack.
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Super Bowl XL