NFL Perfect Seasons

For the Colts it might be that last option, as they’re actually listed as the underdog on the road against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon. And if they manage to pull off an upset against that 2.5-point favorite, the arch-rival New England Patriots lurk next on the schedule. Here’s the rest of Indy’s 2006 slate, with opponent’s current records:

October 29 --- @ Denver (5-1)
November 05 --- @ New England (5-1)
November 12 --- Buffalo (2-5)
November 19 --- @ Dallas (3-3)
November 26 --- Philadelphia (4-3)
December 03 --- @ Tennessee (1-5)
December 10 --- @ Jacksonville (3-3)
December 18 --- Cincinnati (4-2)
December 24 --- @ Houston (2-4)
December 31 --- Miami (1-6)

So if the Colts manage to get through the next two weeks unscathed, they’ll get to return home for what should be a relatively easy game against the Buffalo Bills. From there it’s a pair of games against NFC East opponents (Dallas & Philadelphia), then weakling Tennessee, then reeling Jacksonville, before getting a tough matchup versus Cincinnati.

Should Indianapolis still be undefeated after playing the Bengals, the schedule makers have given them a gift in the final two weeks of the season - games against the Houston Texans and the Miami Dolphins. Of course, the Dolphins weren’t supposed to stink this year, but winning only once in seven games won’t get them compared to the ’72 squad.

The Bears, on the other hand, are overwhelming favorites (16.5 points) at home against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, so only a major upset would prevent them from improving to 7-0. In fact, with the Dolphins on deck, Chicago should be able to cruise to an 8-0 mark. Here’s the rest of Chicago’s 2006 slate, with opponent’s current records:

October 29 --- San Francisco (2-4)
November 05 --- Miami (1-6)
November 12 --- @ New York Giants (4-2)
November 19 --- @ New York Jets (4-3)
November 26 --- @ New England (5-1)
December 03 --- Minnesota (4-2)
December 11 --- @ St. Louis (4-2)
December 17 --- Tampa Bay (2-4)
December 24 --- @ Detroit (1-6)
December 31 --- Green Bay (2-4)

But after playing two straight games against bottom-tier teams the Bears will be in tough on a three-game road trip on the eastern seaboard, with the New York Giants, New York Jets, and New England Patriots their opponents. Should they somehow make it through that trip without picking up a first loss, the Vikings and the Rams will be up next.

That’s a tall order even for a Bears team that has dominated opponents this season (the Cardinals last Monday night notwithstanding). Also, Chicago’s hit-and-miss offense is likely to cost them a game at some point over that stretch. If Grossman and company do emerge from St. Louis unbeaten, though, their last three games are versus bad teams.

Kickoff for the Bears/49ers game is 1:00 PM ET on Sunday at Soldier Field, while the Colts and the Broncos will get things underway at Invesco Field at 4:15 PM ET Sunday.

And with the Oakland Raiders somehow managing to win a game last week, the Colts and the Bears are the only teams left with a zero anywhere in their win-loss column. At least, that is, in the straight-up win-loss column. The Dolphins are a pitiful 0-7 against-the-spread; they have a bye in Week 8, so that first ATS win will have to wait. As well, the Jets are 7-0 Over/Under, and the Broncos are 0-6 Over/Under so far in 2006.

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