NFL BETTING ON WEEK 14 GAMES

NFL Betting On Week 14 Games

Loaded Indy guns for greatness and its hard to find an opponent capable of stopping their quest to go unbeaten

December 10th, 2005

By Jason Brough
BodogNation Contributing Writer

C'mon, you knew it would be like this eventually…didn't you?

It all began with the first selection of the 1998 NFL Draft, when the Indianapolis Colts took the excellence of execution - commonly referred to as Peyton Manning - pairing him with a sure-handed wide receiver from Syracuse named Marvin Harrison. Subsequent stellar draft picks followed as the team added pieces such as Edgerrin James (99), Reggie Wayne (2001), Dwight Freeney (02) and Cato June (03).

The Colts slowly moved from the ranks of also-rans to one of the most prolific scoring teams in the NFL. But were they the real deal, or merely a high-octane offense?  Questions about the legitimacy of their defense often arose, given playoff failures and an inability to knock off the Patriots.

But with a vastly improved defense and the exorcism of those New England ghosts, the Colts have the tools to put the - 72 Dolphins annual perfect season lives champagne on ice. But are the Colts for real? Do any of the four remaining opponents have what it takes burn the Colts Bridge toward history?

This check of the schedule will help you find out:

Indianapolis (12-0) at Jacksonville (9-3) on Sunday, Dec. 11

Given the recent history between these AFC South rivals over the last five contests, Indy holds a 3-2 edge in wins, with no game being decided by more than 10 points the Colts shouldn't sleep on Jacksonville.

They've played us as well as anybody in the division, and they're as hot as anybody, coach Tony Dungy told the Associated Press. We always play close games, so we're expecting a great game with a lot of intensity.

The Colts are 0-2 against the spread against the Jaguars during the last two games. On Oct. 24, 2004, the Colts lost 27-24 despite being a 9-point favorite over Jacksonville. In Week 2 of this season, Indianapolis won a 10-3 on Sept. 18, but failed to cover the -8.5 spread. Even with backup quarterback David Garrard, if the Colts slip up they may make the Jaguars famous.

San Diego (8-4) at Indianapolis (12-0) on Sunday, Dec. 18

Most have already circled this game as the matchup that could bring an end to Manning's quest for perfection.

On Dec. 26, 2004, it took an overtime field goal from Mike Vanderjagt to help the Colts survive. The Colts failed to cover the -7 point spread that day, but gained a 34-31 victory.

Time of possession could decide who wins this year's contest, which is likely to be a shootout. The last time they met, neither team could stop the other's running back (LaDainian Tomlinson posted 176 total yards and two touchdowns for the Chargers while James had 86 yards rushing) or air attack (Drew Brees had 290 passing yards and three touchdowns while Manning threw for 383 yards passing and two touchdowns).

Indianapolis (12-0) at Seattle (10-2) on Sunday, Dec. 24 

Christmas will come a day early for those who have tickets for this battle of the NFC and AFC elite that could be a Super Bowl XL preview. These two teams are in the Top 5 in scoring and will be using all their offensive firepower to stay one step ahead. Victory for the Colts could rest on Dungy's shoulders, as the playoffs could take priority over the streak if any of the Colts superstars have nagging injuries that would be helped by rest. Add in the fact that they'll be playing at Qwest Field, where the Seahawks are 6-0, and Seattle may have enough on its side to make the Colts feel like Jay Feely.

Arizona (4-8) at Indianapolis (12-0) on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006

When asked who he thought could dethrone the Colts, Bengals receiver Chad Johnson gave Sports Illustrated a surprising answer:

I think it'll be Arizona. It'll be the team you never expect.

He may be right.

During the last 25 years, only seven teams have been serious threats to go undefeated, and all but the 85 Bears ended up blowing their perfect season to mediocre teams. The 84 Dolphins, the 90 Giants and 49ers, the 91 Redskins, the 98 Broncos, and the 2003 Chiefs all were rolling with perfect records and all fell shockingly to teams with a combined record of 29-35. The Bears lost to a playoff-bound Dolphins team on Dec. 2, 1985.

 

The Playoffs

If the Colts can surmount these last four hurdles, praise will only last until the playoffs begin.

Though most say the biggest fear in the playoffs will be the run-run-bootleg style of the 9-3 Denver Broncos, no one can ignore how cruel the revenge would be if the AFC East-leading New England Patriots, who were embarrassed on Monday Night Football 40-21, knocked the Colts out of the playoffs and forever put a but on the Colts perfect regular-season record.

Lets not forget, the Patriots faced another offensive powerhouse in the St. Louis Rams, and despite being pummeled by them during the regular season, they came back to shock the world in Super Bowl XXXVI with a 20-17 victory.

With so much parity in todays NFL, it would be hard to imagine a team going undefeated. But if the Colts complete the perfect season with a schedule that included nearly every playoff-bound AFC team. The Colts should be remembered as the greatest team in NFL history.

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