It happens nearly every year like clockwork.
Early on in each season, one NFL team distances itself from the rest, and the talk begins to crop up — slowly but surely. Will it go undefeated? Can it be the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to run the table all the way through to the Super Bowl? Who, if anybody, can dethrone the mighty unbeaten? But, unlike in 2008 with the Tennessee Titans or in 2007 with the New England Patriots, both of whom fell just short, this year two unbeaten squads might actually have a shot at going the distance.
Thus far, the NFC's New Orleans Saints and the AFC's Indianapolis Colts boast the league's only unblemished records at 7-0. On paper, the two teams are quite similar. Both have an MVP-caliber quarterback, a surprisingly effective defense and, most importantly, zero losses. But is it all hype, or do these teams have a legitimate chance to join those historic Dolphins in the NFL's most exclusive club?
The Saints, one year removed from a disappointing 8-8 record, have almost matched last season's win total thanks in large part to signal-caller Drew Brees, an early-season favorite for Most Valuable Player. Brees, the third-most efficient passer in the league, has thrown 16 touchdowns — tied for best in the league — and has directed the high-powered New Orleans offense to at least 35 points in five of its first seven games.
But aside from blowing out teams like the Detroit Lions (45-27), the Philadelphia Eagles (48-22) and even the once-great New York Giants (48-27), Brees and the Saints demonstrated the quality that makes them a prime candidate to run the table. On the road versus the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, New Orleans showed they could recover even when in a massive hole, overcoming a 21-point deficit to win 46-34.
Despite Brees' three interceptions, a lost fumble and five sacks, he led touchdown drives of 82, 79 and 60 yards on successive possessions in the second half to put New Orleans ahead, as the Saints outscored their opponent 22-0 in the fourth quarter.
Even more important, however, was the defense's ability to adjust and clamp down after being baffled by Miami's patented Wildcat offense in the first half. Just over a minute into the second half, and with his team down 14 points, Darren Sharper returned an errant Chad Henne pass 42 yards to paydirt, setting the stage for New Orleans' comeback.
Last week versus the Atlanta Falcons, Jabari Greer's 48-yard interception return TD marked the Saints' NFL-best sixth defensive score this season. For comparison, the Cleveland Browns have scored five touchdowns offensively. Even when Brees is not at his gun-slinging best, a defense led by Sharper (seven interceptions) keeps the Saints in the game long enough to allow the offense to take over.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, New Orleans' soft schedule gives it a chance to finish up 16-0 heading into the playoffs. Four of their last nine games come versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, owners of a 0-7 record, and the Carolina Panthers, a sub-.500 team with Jake Delhomme and his 13 interceptions under center. The only potential pitfalls for the NFC's elite will be a Nov. 30 Monday night game at home against the New England Patriots, a Dec. 13 road matchup versus divisional rival Atlanta and a Dec. 19 game at the Superdome versus the Dallas Cowboys.
Given that their five remaining road games are against teams with an aggregate 10 wins, the Saints are looking to be in the driver's seat in the NFC, controlling their own destiny. And, with an offense averaging 39 points and 428.7 yards per game, it is becoming to look like reality.
Across the league in the AFC, the Colts have had an equally easy time dispatching weak opponents en route to a 7-0 record of their own. Dating back to last season, Indianapolis has won 16 straight, thanks in large part to Manning, owner of a 109.3 QB rating, the second most yards and a league-best 71.1 percent completion percentage.
Manning has fired scores to five different receivers, including emerging wideout Austin Collie. When Anthony Gonzalez went down in Week 1 with sprained knee ligaments, Collie stepped up to fill the void, hauling in four touchdowns and 30 receptions. Of course, Reggie Wayne has been his usual Pro-Bowl self, with 51 receptions and 689 yards, both of which rank him second in the league. More importantly, though, are his 10 receptions of over 20 yards — tied for most in the NFL — allowing the Colts to move the chains into the red zone.
Like the Saints, Indianapolis has found a way to win even when its MVP candidate is out of sync. Against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, running back Joseph Addai hurled a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to Wayne, putting the Colts on top for good. This came after four field goals by kicker Matt Stover, as Manning failed to throw a touchdown for the first time since Nov. 30, 2008.
The similarities between the Colts and the Saints do not end with the offensive unit. Indianapolis' scoring defense is tops in the league, allowing just one touchdown since Week 4.
Yet unlike their NFC counterparts, the Colts have a much tougher schedule ahead of them. Back-to-back contests against New England — a team Manning is 5-9 against in his career — and on the road against a stingy Baltimore Ravens defense await after this week's game against the Houston Texans. Additionally, the Colts have to host Denver and then travel to Jacksonville in consecutive weeks in December. But Manning has been here before and knows how to magically find a way to win, regardless of the situation.
While the Colts and the Saints have made it almost halfway to that elusive perfect season, they have, at times, looked quite beatable. Whether New Orleans can continue to win in shootouts or the Colts can keep surviving scares will ultimately determine their fates and, consequently, their chances at keeping that zero in the loss column throughout the year.
