Indy Going 16-0: Is It Really Possible?

The Indianapolis Colts have just defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, reloaded with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger, 26-7. Their win puts them at 11-0, the only undefeated team in the league, and the first team to go 11 wins with zero losses since the 1998 Denver Broncos, who went 13-0 before their first loss.

At this point, as it has been for the past month, it is appropriate to discuss whether Indianapolis can run the table, and go 16-0 for the season - the first to do so since the legendary 1972 Miami Dolphins team went undefeated, at 17-0. Hell, everyone else has. So, first, I'm going to bring up the obvious points (to those who follow the NFL). Here's why they will go undefeated:

First of all, they have the talent and the necessary tools to do so. Peyton Manning is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league - some consider him one of the greatest pocket passers and field generals they ever saw. His track record says it all - coming off of a record 49 TD season last year, he is currently in the top five among quarterbacks in several statistical categories: fourth in passing yards (2,779), second in passing TDs (22), and second in passer rating (104.5). Now, granted, he may not have the same statistics as his phenomenal 2004 season (4,557 yards, 49 TDs, 10 INTs, 121.1 Passer Rating; currently on pace for 4,042 yards, 32 TDs, 12 INTs, approximately a 100 Passer Rating), but his knowledge of the game and near-perfect precision passing prove that monster stats don't mean much when it comes to winning.

His weapons on the offensive end have refined themselves into a well-oiled machine that are rarely thrown off their stride. His dynamic duo of wide receivers - future hall of famer Marvin Harrison and potential pro bowler Reggie Wayne - are as good as they have been: Harrison with 62 receptions, 794 yards and 9 TDs, Wayne with 64 receptions, 814 yards and 4 TDs. Both are on pace for 1000-yard seasons. RB Edgerrin James has been the main cog in the Colts' offense: his dangerous ground game allows for the passing game's success. His 1,240 yards and 11 TDs say it all - Indianapolis' offense, whether it be on the ground or in the air, is virtually unstoppable.

The best part for the Colts is that when their offense hits a rare wall in the face of opposing defenses, their defense has the talent and schemes they need to bail them out. The ascension of the Colts' defense as a league power has been a pleasant surprise to the team. DE Dwight Freeney's refinement of his patented "spin move" has kept him as a defensive threat to any team that faces him - so far, he has 23 total tackles and 7 sacks. The devastating tackles of FS Bob Sanders and the play of new acquisition DE Corey Simon have anchored the undersized, yet lightning quick defense that has been, statistically, among the best in the league.

Because of their balance on both ends of the ball, they have proven over the past 12 weeks that they have the flexibility to beat teams in any type of game they play - for example, they have the offensive firepower to beat teams in high-scoring games (Week 11 @ Cincinnati - W, 45-37), or they can win with defense (Week 2 vs. Jacksonville - W, 10-3). They have exercised demons of the past (Week 9 @ New England - W, 40-21; Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh - W, 26-7) and have shown supremacy over lesser teams (Week 4 @ Tennessee - W, 31-10). Bottom line: they are capable of beating teams by any means necessary. So, with all that the Colts are armed with, can they do it? Can they go undefeated?

Most experts point to "No".

First of all, their remaining schedule will be their toughest stretch of the season. After a "trap" game against a motivated Tennessee Titans team (3-8), their next three games will be a virtual gauntlet of NFL powers. Week 14 brings the Colts to Jacksonville (8-3). Even with QB Byron Leftwich out with a broken leg, backup David Gerrard can still play tough, and their defense did hold them to 10 points back in Week 2. The next week brings the San Diego Chargers (7-4) to the RCA Dome, most likely fighting for their playoff lives. With perennial offensive weapons RB LaDainian Tomlinson, QB Drew Brees and TE Antonio Gates, this may be the defense's biggest challenge. It only gets worse in Week 16, when they go to the Pacific Northwest and face the best team in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks (9-2). MVP Candidate RB Shaun Alexander and QB Matt Hasselbeck lead the Seahawks in what could be another offensive showdown.

Another reason could have nothing to do with legitimately getting beat. Head Coach Tony Dungy has publicly announced that, if the Colts clinch home-field advantage before the end of the season, he will sit his offensive starters - namely, Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Little known second stringers Jim Sorgi (QB) and James Mungro (RB) would most likely start the last couple games of the season, leaving the Colts wide open for a defeat or two.

Now, having said that, I think that it is very possible for the Colts to go 16-0. I believe that the only way the Colts have a chance at going undefeated depends on one team, and, ironically, it is the team that last had a shot at an undefeated season: the Denver Broncos. They are currently at 9-2, with no signs of letting up. If they win out, that gives the Colts little wiggle room of letting up. In Week 16, the Colts could be at either 14-1 or 15-0, forced to win out because of the Broncos' 13-2 record. As long as Denver keeps the pressure on Indianapolis by winning, the Colts would have no choice but to play their starters until the final week of the season.

Which brings me to my second reason. By going 15-0, the Colts will have clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Now, at this point, Dungy will sit his starters. So, why do I still think that the Colts have a shot at a perfect season? First, the second-string isn't as bad as people think - Mungro is a decent running back, and Sorgi can play, if he has the right weapons. Second, they will have the perfect season to play for: it is the ultimate motivation. Finally, look at their Week 17 opponent: the Arizona Cardinals. Granted, they are somewhat improved in offense with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. But, they are 3-8, and are 23rd in total defense. The Colts defense will most likely have enough to stop Arizona's offensive attack, and the Colts, even with a second-string offense on the field, have a legitimate shot at a victory.

Now, this might easily be all moot if they lose at any point in the next 6 weeks. But, hey, the possibilities are endless. And, personally, even though I wasn't alive to see the last undefeated season, at least, if it actually does happen, it will end the '72 Dolphins reign as the only perfect team, and stop that ridiculous and played out champagne ceremony. Ugh.