This is getting serious.
With three quarters of the season in the bag, two teams – the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins – are on historic tracks. The Patriots are now 12-0, and even with a challenging slate remaining have a real chance to become the first undefeated team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, a franchise whose 2007 edition stands at 0-12 and looks very much like it could finish the year winless.
Making the irony even more delicious is the fact that the remaining members of the ’72 Dolphins get more bitter by the year, shrugging off challenges to their record and coming together annually to celebrate with champagne when the last undefeated team in the league has fallen. Looking at each team’s final four games, the Dolphins (at Buffalo, vs. Baltimore, at New England, vs. Cincinnati) stand a greater chance of going winless than the Patriots (vs. Pittsburgh, vs. New York Jets, vs. Miami, at New York Giants) do of remaining undefeated, but there’s still a very good possibility that both teams will hold form.
That would make this a truly historic season, linking the two franchises forever and ensuring new references for future futility and greatness. Are Dolphins fans ready for future losers to “pull a Miami?” In any event, here’s this week’s slate of games.
New York Giants (8-4) at Philadelphia (5-7): The Giants survived a sloppy game in Chicago last week when Eli Manning managed to salvage an ugly afternoon by rallying for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 21-16 win over the Bears. The Eagles gave Seattle a stiff challenge but couldn’t overcome four interceptions from backup quarterback A.J. Feeley. Although Feeley is mobile enough to keep the Giants’ pass rush at bay, the Philly defense is missing some key personnel, and the Giants figure to have battering ram running back Brandon Jacobs back in the fold. That should be enough to give the Giants the edge, and give them a boost in the wild card race. Score: NY Giants, 24, Philadelphia 21.
Cleveland (7-5) at New York Jets (3-9): The Jets showed some life last week, throttling the Dolphins and putting up their highest scoring game of the season. That bodes well for this week, because the Browns will be scoring points in bunches. I’d love to call the upset, but I’m still not sold on the Jets being able to stop Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards often enough to keep the score close. Kellen Clemens will give it his best effort, but the Jets will fall short at home. Score: Cleveland 34, NY Jets 24.
Indianapolis (10-2) at Baltimore (4-8): The Colts survived a physical test last week, beating Jacksonville to take a two-game lead in the AFC South, while Baltimore is coming off a last-minute loss to the Patriots. All evidence to the contrary aside, the Ravens are impotent offensively, and their D, while still solid, has slipped. Peyton Manning seems to have finally adjusted to the loss of wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who may be returning any week now. The Colts will keep rolling and solidify their hold on the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Score: Indianapolis 27, Baltimore 16.
San Diego (7-5) at Tennessee (7-5): In one of the best games on the board this week, the surging Chargers will head to Tennessee to try to control Vince Young and the Titans. San Diego dominated Kansas City last week, while the Titans outlasted Houston at home on the strength of one of Young’s best games of the season. The key in this one will be LaDanian Tomlinson, who looked terrific in rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns last week. If the Chargers stay committed to him, they should be able to put the game in Young’s hands and force some turnovers. Tennessee will be game, but the Chargers will run away with it at the end. Score: San Diego 24, Tennessee 20.
Pittsburgh (9-3) at New England (12-0): In what could be the final chance for New England to lose before the playoffs, the Pats will have to deal with one of the most composed quarterbacks they’ve seen in Ben Roethlisberger. I was impressed by Baltimore’s defensive effort last Monday, as chippy as it might have been, and it will take that kind of effort for the Steelers to stay in it here. If this game were in Pittsburgh, I might take the Steelers, but with the home crowd behind them, the Patriots will keep pushing toward history with a win. Score: New England 31, Pittsburgh 20.
Quick picks: Minnesota will continue its playoff push and beat the 49ers, Green Bay will bounce back to beat Oakland, Buffalo will keep Miami winless, Denver will be able to shut down Kansas City and New Orleans will beat Atlanta in a yawn-inducing Monday night matchup.
Last week’s record: 7-3. Overall: 91-37.