NFL Week 14: Perfectly perfect

By Ivette Ricco

The Colts look virtually unstoppable as they finish week 14 with a perfect 13-0 record.

With only three regular season games remaining, home field and their division clinched all that remains for this team to accomplish is a trip to the super bowl. Sure a perfect season would be nice but only icing on a sweet little cake.

With Tony Dungy’s calm demeanor and focused approach it seems unlikely that he will risk an opportunity to take his team to the Promised Land, a chance to finally, after being named head coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs in 1996 and then Colts head coach in 2002 Tony Dungy just mught raise the Lombardi trophy above his head. With the cerebral quarterbacking of Peyton Manning, the running of Edgerin James and the fleet feet of Marvin Harrison, the Colts have been oh so close for three years. They have been stymied however by a less than stout defense and the balanced attack of the Patriots.

With the Patriots falling victim to injuries this season there has never been a better opportunity for the Colts to win the AFC and reach the Super Bowl.

The great thing about the NFL, the reason America loves pro football, is because of its sudden death flavor. Any team can upset a favorite, at any time, a mistake or an injury can derail the best laid plans of mice and men.

With only three regular season games left to play the Colts look like a lead pipe cinch to reach the Super Bowl.
But, who would they face, in Super Bowl Forty, if the season ended today?

The NFC remains a horse race.

The NY Giants are 9-4 but the Cowboys are biting at their heels at 8-5.
Tampa Bay and Carolina are tied for first place at 9-4 in the NFC South.

The Bears at 9-4 lead the NFC north but the Vikings are on a roll at 8-5.
Seattle has the best record in the NFC at 11-2 and has clinched the NFC West.

The Colts will meet the Seahawks on 12/24 but chances are that Tony Dungy will play it safe and not risk injury nor show his hand against the Seahawks. The possibility of a meeting between these two conference leaders makes it unlikely that they will play their starters if there is nothing to gain in this game and it seems prudent to not show your hand at this point in the season..

Several upcoming games should shed some light on the strengths and weaknesses of playoff bound teams.

* Denotes games with playoff bound teams or implications.

Saturday’s games

* Tampa Bay (9-4) at New England (8-5)

* Kansas City (8-5) at NY Giants (9-4)

* Denver (10-3) at Buffalo (4-9)

 

Sunday

New York Jets (3-10) at Miami 6-7)

Arizona (4-9) at Houston (1-12)

* Seattle (11-2) at Tennessee (4-9)

* San Diego (8-5) at Colts (13-0)

Eagles (5-8) at Rams (5-8)

*Panthers (9-4) at Saints (3-9)

San Francisco (2-11) at * Jacksonville (9-4)

*Steelers (8-5) at Vikings (8-5)

*Bengals (10-3) at Lions (4-9)

Browns (4-9) at Raiders (4-9)

*Cowboys (8-5) at Redskins (7-6)

*Falcons (7-5) at Bears (9-4)

 

Monday

Packers (3-10) at Ravens (4-9)

 

Week 15 Picks

 

Pats over Bucs

Giants over Chiefs

Denver over Bills

 

Miami over Jets

Arizona over Texans

Seattle over Titans

Colts over Chargers

Eagles over Rams

Carolina over Saints

Niners over Jags

Steelers over Vikings

Bengals over Lions

Browns over Raiders

Redskins over Cowboys

Falcons over Bears

Ravens over Packers

 

Femmefan Fearless Picks Season Record 131-76 (prior to Monday Night Game)

Week 14 Record 8-7 (prior to Monday Night Game)

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