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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Week 7: A season that will live in infamy

I think at this time we can start talking about the '72 Dolphins and '08 Lions. I've already alluded to it in previous post titles but right now there are a few teams that are at least thinking privately about destiny and infamy, referencing going undefeated or winless, respectively. 

The 2008 Lions were as terrible as their record 16 loss record would suggest. The previous season, the Miami Dolphins narrowly avoided the tag by winning a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (a franchise which once went 0-14 before the league went to a 16 game schedule. Also, they lost the first 12 games of their next year.) The season is marked by Dan Orlovsky running out of the back of the end zone untouched in a game and giving up Matt Ryan's first career win (of many). This year, the current contenders for the spot are the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. None of these teams play each other, so it's (theoretically) possible that all of these teams could lose all of their games. 

The 1972 Miami Dolphins are the current mark for perfection in the NFL. They are the only team to win all of their regular season games and win the championship. The only other teams to have an undefeated season are the 1934 Chicago Bears, 1942 Chicago Bears and most recently the 2007 New England Patriots (Notably, the '34 Bears and '07 Patriots both had their undefeated seasons ruined by the New York Giants). The current contenders for the title are the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs who are in the same division (and therefore are more likely to ruin each others bids at perfection than going undefeated themselves.)

Early Games

Buffalo at Miami

This AFC East matchup features the Buffalo Bills have had major injury issues at the quarterback position. Thad Lewis who was the quarterback for Duke's vaunted football team is their current starter and the struggle to find healthy quarterback play has led them to pick up Matt Flynn. Meanwhile,  Miami is coming off of a bye week, they plan on taking care of business at home.  


Chicago at Washington

Da Bears have the division lead in the NFC North. Washington is trying to fight their way back into the NFC East picture, since they are only 2 games out of the division lead. Chicago is amazing. 


Cincinnati at Detroit

This battle of 4-2 Division Leaders features two teams that have been amazing.  

Dallas at Philadelphia

The NFC East is terrible, but the winner of the division gets a spot in the playoffs just like everyone else. The winner of this game will be the clubhouse leader for that spot. 

Houston at Kansas City

Case Keenum will start this game. I'm so excited about this, or at least I would be if they weren't playing against the Chiefs who have been amazing on defense.  

New England at NY Jets
Recent history has these two teams carrying an interesting rivalry.  difference in coaching styles, reaction to media and 

San Diego at Jacksonville
West Coast team going east? We've seen this story before. Travelling across the country to play a road game is never fun, even if that team is the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

St. Louis at Carolina

This battle of former number one quarterbacks features Sam Bradford and Cam Newton, both who were expected to take their teams to the mountain top and have yet to even see the playoffs. 

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

The Falcons were fringe Super Bowl contenders according to some prognosticators. Now, they are struggling to find healthy players on their offense after losing their top two wide receivers (Julio Jones for the year and Roddy White for the week) and top running back (Steven Jackson).   

Late Games


Baltimore at Pittsburgh

Remember when this rivalry mattered? Pepperidge farm remembers. 

San Francisco at Tennessee

The titans need this win to keep pace in the AFC south. 

Cleveland at Green Bay

The browns have been surprisingly good this year after the trade. 

Sunday Night Football

Denver at Indianapolis

Luck vs. Manning. Manning vs. His old team. Irsay vs. Fox.

Monday Night Football 

Minnesota at NY Giants

Who needs Luck vs. Manning when you can have Freeman vs. Manning? 
 

   

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