Win/Loss: 13-0 – NFL Record: 14-0, 1972 Miami Dolphins
Passing TDs: Tom Brady 45 – NFL Record: Peyton Manning 49
Receiving TDs: Randy Moss 19 – NFL Record: Jerry Rice 22
Points: 503 – NFL Record: 556 1998 Vikings
There’s no doubt about it…
We are watching quite possibly the best team in NFL history. The New England Patriots have steamrolled out to the best start in the history of the league. This franchise epitomizes the overall meaning of the word “team” better than any other organized group of gridiron warriors.
Remember when they were introduced as a team in Super Bowl XXXVI. That personified their image. With the exceptions of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, every single other member of that franchise is interchangeable. Every week they come out and play 60 minutes of smash mouth, hard nose football scripted by a pigskin genius on a mission to destroy everybody in his path.
With an immaculate, historically unblemished record of 13 wins and zero losses, the Pats have just three regular season contests and another three playoff games before they achieve possibly the most impressive team record in sports.
Perfection.
On Sunday, the Patriots face off against the Jets to try to become the second team in league history to win their first 14 games. With possibly blizzard-like conditions, the Belichick-Eric Mangini war could be interesting.
Quarterbacks
The Rams will get their starting quarterback this week when Marc Bulger returns from a rib injury … The Chargers might not have their starting field general though, as Phillip Rivers deals with a knee injury. He’ll be a game-time decision with Billy Volek salivating for a chance to play. Volek threw a few passes last week, but has pretty much just been holding a clipboard the past couple seasons. He once threw for 918 yards and eight touchdowns in a two-game period in 2004 … Jeff Garcia should return for the Bucs as well after sitting out the past two games.
Injury List
Marc Bulger (concussion) – expected to return in Week 15
Gus Frerotte (shoulder) – should back-up Bulger this week
Jeff Garcia (back) – will start this week
Rex Grossman (knee) – out indefinitely, Kyle Orton will replace
Phillip Rivers (knee) – game-time decision, Billy Volek would replace
Aaron Rodgers (hamstring) – out for Week 15
Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) – questionable, expected to play
Matt Schaub (shoulder) – missed Week 15, Sage Rosenfels replaced
Alex Smith (arm) –out for the year, Shaun Hill is new starter
Vinny Testaverde (team decision) – game-time decision, Matt Moore could start
Running Backs
With Reggie Bush out for the season, Aaron Stecker will take over as the Saints primary ball carrier, but will no-doubtibly be relying heavily on the pass the rest of the way … The Bills will likely stick with the duel RB combo of Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson. Both backs eclipsed the 100-yard-mark last week and should post decent numbers against the Browns again this Sunday.
Injury List
Correll Buckhalter (concussion) – out for Week 15
Reggie Bush (knee) – out for the season
Jesse Chatman (ankle) – questionable, likely will play
Justin Fargas (ribs) – removed from injury list, will start
Ahman Green (knee) – out for the season
Chris Henry (suspension) – can return in Week 16
Larry Johnson (foot) – likely out for the season, Kolby Smith will replace
Kenton Keith (hand) – questionable, likely will be Joseph Addai’s backup
Marshawn Lynch (ankle) – Fred Jackson and Lynch will split action
Michael Pittman (ankle) – questionable, will likely be limited backing up Earnest Graham regardless
Kolby Smith (knee) – probable, will play
Brian Westbrook (knee) – probable, expected to play
LenDale White (finger) – probable, expected to play – Chris Brown is backup
Wide Receivers
The Cardinals and Jets stud receivers will all be game-time decisions in Week 15, so Brad Smith and Bryant Johnson could play more prominent roles … Anthony Gonzalez will getting a lot of looks in the Colts attack with Marvin Harrison missing another game.
Injury List
Anquan Boldin (toe) – game-time decision
Plaxico Burress (ankle, knee) – questionable, expected to play
Laveranues Coles (ankle) – questionable, expected to play
Jerricho Cotchery (finger) – questionable, will play with injury
Larry Fitzgerald (groin) – game-time decision
Terry Glenn (knee surgery) – might return in Week 16
D.J. Hackett (ankle) – out for Week 16
Marvin Harrison (knee) – out for Week 15, Anthony Gonzalez will play big role
Santonio Holmes (ankle) – will start, Nate Washington would replace
Brandon Jones (groin) – out for Week 15
Joe Jurevicius (knee) – questionable, expected to play
Antwaan Randle El (hamstring) – probable, expected to return
Brandon Stokley (knee) – questionable for Week 16
Javon Walker (knee) – will likely be limited
Roddy White (knee) – questionable, should be available this week
Roy Williams (DET) (knee) – out for 2-4 more weeks, Shaun McDonald and Calvin Johnson will start
Tight Ends
Injury List
Chris Baker (back) – questionable, expected to start
Bubba Franks (knee) – doubtful, Donald Lee will continue to start
Antonio Gates (back) – questionable, likely will play
Daniel Graham (ankle) – questionable for Week 16
Todd Heap (hamstring) – might be out for the season
Bo Scaife (shoulder) – questionable, expected to play
Jeremy Shockey (abdomen) – questionable, will start
L.J. Smith (knee) – out for Week 15, Matt Schobel will start
Ben Watson (ankle) – questionable, expected to play
Matchups for Week 15
Toughest against the pass
1. Indianapolis (166.8 YPG) – Josh McCown/JaMarcus Russell, Ronald Curry, Jerry Porter
2. Pittsburgh (172.8 YPG) – David Garrard, Reggie Williams, Dennis Northcut
3. Miami (172.8 YPG) – Kyle Boller, Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton
4. Tampa Bay (185.8 YPG) – Chris Redman, Roddy White, Alge Crumpler
5. Oakland (192.2 YPG) – Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez
Easiest against the pass
32. Minnesota (273.3 YPG) – Kyle Orton, Bernard Berrian, Muhsin Muhammad
31. Detroit (266.8 YPG) – Phillip Rivers/Billy Volek, Antonio Gates, Chris Chambers
30. Cleveland (259.2 YPG) – Trent Edwards, Lee Evans, Josh Reed
29. New Orleans (252.3 YPG) – Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin/Bryant Johnson
28. Buffalo (251.4 YPG) – Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Edwards
Toughest against the run
1. Minnesota (70.7 YPG) – Adrian Peterson, Garrett Wolfe
2. Pittsburgh (72.6 YPG) – Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew
3. Baltimore (77.4 YPG) – Samkon Gado, Jesse Chatman (questionable)
4. Dallas (90.7 YPG) – Brian Westbrook
5. Jacksonville (93.1 YPG) – Willie Parker, Najeh Davenport
Easiest against the run
32. Miami (155.4 YPG) – Willis McGahee, Musa Smith
31. Oakland (150.4 YPG) – Joseph Addai, Kenton Keith
30. New York Jets (141.9 YPG) – Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk
29. Denver (138.8 YPG) – Ron Dayne 67 yards, TD, Darius Walker 66 yards
28. Cleveland (130.5 YPG) – Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson
Week 15 Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 13 8:00pm ET
Denver @ Houston
Saturday, Dec. 15 8:00pm ET
Cincinnati @ San Francisco
Sunday, Dec. 16 1:00pm ET
Seattle @ Carolina
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay
Green Bay @ St. Louis
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh
Arizona @ New Orleans
Buffalo @ Cleveland
Tennessee @ Kansas City
Baltimore @ Miami
New York Jets @ New England
Sunday, Dec. 16 4:00pm ET
Indianapolis @ Oakland
Detroit @ San Diego
Philadelphia @ Dallas
Sunday, Dec. 16 8:15pm ET
Washington @ New York Giants
Monday, Dec. 17 8:30pm ET
Chicago @ Minnesota