Two for One, One for sure.
12/06/09 04:20 PM | Spurts
Records continue to fall at the feet of Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. As Peyton was wrapping up a 12th straight win this season, he and the Colts were also tying the Patriots 2006-2007 record of 21 straight regular season wins.
Meanwhile elsewhere in the NFL those very same Patriots were falling to the Dolphins in Miami by 1 point in a crucial AFC-East match-up. Making their records New England 7-5 and Miami 6-6. The Jets are also 6-6and still in the hunt in the AFC-East. Interesting side note: This is the 3rd game the Patriots have lost this season after having a lead of at least 10 points.
As I type these notes the Saints are trying to stay in the rarified air of undefeated bliss, with :18 seconds remaining in regulation in Washington the score is all knotted up at 30. Television coverage leaves and I have to go online to follow. Brees completes a pass and gets a first-down. Waiting for the painfully slow updates; the clock stands at :02 3rd down in Redskin territory at the 40, awaiting an impossibly long field goal kick attempt. The 58 yard attempt is short, and we're looking at overtime. I am one of 81,050 fans watching on-line as the quarter ends and overtime rules will be observed. Sudden death! 1st team to score wins. Brees and the Saints have first possession but fail to score, now the Skins are driving, but moving the ball poorly starting from their own 18 they reach their 39 with 3rd and 1. Great, the last play I described is under review...
The irony here would be a quarter played with neither team scoring and the Saints would still be technically undefeated, but Ties are extremely rare in the NFL.
O.K. back to the Colts while I wait for some news, Peyton Manning is the only quarterback to pass for 25 or more touchdowns in 12 consecutive years. What, you want more? The Colts are the only team in NFL history to win 11 or more games in 7 consecutive seasons. Coach Caldwell is the only coach in NFL history to win 12 games in a Rookie Coaching season, and obviously the only one to win his FIRST 12. Since the Colts never trailed in this game their NFL record 5 straight 4th quarter comeback wins ends today, and a lot of fans were able to breathe easier today.
Back to the tension in Washington, not that tension, the other tension. Washington coughs up the pigskin and the Saints recover; as I type the Saints are ready to go marching into the history books beside the Indianapolis Colts. First down at the Skins 14 with a full set of downs. Tick, tick... Now the Saints are on the Washington 6 with another set of downs and a possible but improbable 9:29 remaining in the OT period. Another play challenged and upheld, ball on Redskin 1, it's been 29 minutes since I started this blog, and the Saints finally kick the winning Field Goal. Two teams are still perfect 12-0 and the Saints clinch the NFC South title.
Chuck Pace ©2009
|
Meanwhile elsewhere in the NFL those very same Patriots were falling to the Dolphins in Miami by 1 point in a crucial AFC-East match-up. Making their records New England 7-5 and Miami 6-6. The Jets are also 6-6and still in the hunt in the AFC-East. Interesting side note: This is the 3rd game the Patriots have lost this season after having a lead of at least 10 points.
As I type these notes the Saints are trying to stay in the rarified air of undefeated bliss, with :18 seconds remaining in regulation in Washington the score is all knotted up at 30. Television coverage leaves and I have to go online to follow. Brees completes a pass and gets a first-down. Waiting for the painfully slow updates; the clock stands at :02 3rd down in Redskin territory at the 40, awaiting an impossibly long field goal kick attempt. The 58 yard attempt is short, and we're looking at overtime. I am one of 81,050 fans watching on-line as the quarter ends and overtime rules will be observed. Sudden death! 1st team to score wins. Brees and the Saints have first possession but fail to score, now the Skins are driving, but moving the ball poorly starting from their own 18 they reach their 39 with 3rd and 1. Great, the last play I described is under review...
The irony here would be a quarter played with neither team scoring and the Saints would still be technically undefeated, but Ties are extremely rare in the NFL.
Chuck Pace ©2009
|