Recapping the three
remaining undefeated teams, and looking forward to a potential Super Bowl
matchup
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| AP PHOTO/DAVID ZALUBOWSKI |
By Jeremy Philipson
As the year moves into October and the NFL ends its fifth
week of play, only three undefeated teams remain. Fans of these teams are no
longer hoping for playoffs; they are expecting playoffs.
These teams have survived their
early schedules, but are they for real?
Kansas City: Kansas
City has started undefeated thanks to an extremely favorable early schedule, which
featured three games against teams from the NFC East, a division with every
team under .500.
Nevertheless, the Chiefs have been one of the NFL’s biggest
surprises, thanks to new head coach Andy Reid. Former San Francisco-castoff
Alex Smith has been fantastic in Reid’s West Coast offense, a system that
values a quarterback who takes care of the ball.
With a strong front seven and secondary allowing the second-fewest
passing yards in the league, the Chiefs are for real. Although they play Denver
twice in three weeks in November and play five division games in the last seven
weeks, expect the Chiefs to contend for a wild-card spot.
New Orleans: Seeing
the Saints demolish my Dolphins last Monday night was all the proof I needed to
realize that the Sean Payton-Drew Brees’ relationship is better than ever.
Another strong win in Chicago has solidified the Saints as
the real deal. The 0-4 start from a dismal 2012 campaign seems like forever
ago, and New Orleans is back to looking like the terror that gives defensive
coordinators nightmares.
The Saints still have road games in New England, Atlanta and
Seattle, but an extremely favorable final four games (vs. Carolina, at St.
Louis, at Carolina, vs. Tampa Bay) gives the Saints an opportunity to have the
NFC South in a stranglehold once December hits.
Denver: There
isn’t much to say about Denver that hasn’t already been said. Peyton is having
a career year in an offense perfectly tailored for his style and is on pace for
64 touchdowns.
Offensive weapons Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker
and Julius Thomas force opponents to pick their poison. But, life isn’t so good
on the other side of the ball.
The Broncos could use some help on defense, as shown by Tony
Romo and his 500 yards and 5 touchdowns. Help is on the way, though, with top
pass-rusher Von Miller returning in Week 7, and top cornerback Champ Bailey
working his way back from a foot injury.
The Broncos will need a strong defense, especially with
probably cold-weather games in December and January.
Super Bowl
Prediction: Even with a loss to Indianapolis this week, I still believe the
Seahawks will be playing in February. Russell Wilson has yet to lose a game at
CenturyLink Field, and the Broncos offense looks unstoppable thus far.
Prediction: Peyton
Manning and Co. facing Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom on Feb. 2, 2014.
Comments? Don’t agree?
Hit me up on Twitter: @jeremyphilipson
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