Undefeated

In week eight of the 2015-2016 NFL season, there are four teams that remain unbeaten: the Patriots, Bengals, Broncos and the Panthers. These teams are all 7-0 coming off of their wins last week. The Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 36-7 on Thursday night to continue their winning streak. On Sunday afternoon, in a close battle to stay undefeated, the Bengals beat the Steelers 16-10.  The Broncos demolished the Green Bay Packers, stealing their undefeated title by 29-10 on Sunday night football. Finally, the Panthers snuck out a 29-26 win against the struggling Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. So, with a record four teams sitting at 7-0,  who is going to be the first to lose their streak?

The next team I think lose will be the Panthers. The Panthers play the Packers next week and while the Packers were beaten badly on Sunday night by the Broncos, the Packers will be looking for revenge. The Panthers scared me on Monday when they almost let the struggling Colts make a comeback against them. To add to the equation,  the Packers have a good defense and are led by reigning MVP, Aaron Rodgers. Regardless if they lost last week or not, the Packers remain a force to be reckoned with.

After the Panthers fall, I believe that the Bengals will be next in line. While they may have pulled off a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, some believe their victory was based on the misfortune of the Steelers. Even with the Steelers losing arguably the best running back in the NFL, Le`Veon Bell,  to a season ending MCL tear in the first quarter of the game and having to play Ben Rothlisberger, fresh out of surgery, at quarterback; the Bengals only barely managed to scrape by with a win. Also, the Bengals only managed to score 16 points on the NFL’s 21st ranked defense when they are ranked number 6 in the league in total offense. Their defense did well; however, only allowing ten points in the entire game. The Bengals 1st loss will most likely come when they face the Cardinals in two weeks. The Cardinals were once an undefeated team this season, but lost to the Rams a few weeks ago. However, the Cardinals have played fantastic defense and their offense has been rejuvenated with 30 year old running back Chris Johnson, currently ranked second in the league in rushing, 32 year old wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who is having a pro-bowl caliber season and MVP candidate Carson Palmer.

That leaves the Broncos and the Patriots. In four weeks, I guarantee that these two teams will remain undefeated and will face off in what is guaranteed to be a fantastic match up. The Broncos currently boast the league’s best defense, which they had on display Sunday night against the Packers; however, the Patriots clearly have the league’s best offense, which put up thirty six points last Thursday against the Dolphins. This game will come down to the Patriots’ defense, the Broncos offense and the coaching staffs of both teams. The Patriots defense is young and has played very well this season. They are led by pro-bowl candidate linebackers, Jamie Collins, Jerrod Mayo and D’onte Hightower. The Broncos offense is of course led by legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Demarius Thomas and running back CJ Anderson.

I think the major factor in this game will be coaching. The Patriots of course have legendary coach, Bill Belichik, who is considered to be one of the best coaches in history. The Broncos are led by head coach, Gary Kubiak, and defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips. Wade Phillips’ blitz happy defense will surely give the Patriots struggling offensive line all they can handle, but knowing the genius that is Bill Belichik, he will create a lot of screen passes or quick passes to try to outsmart the Broncos defense.

I predict that the Patriots will win a close contest and will finish the season unbeaten. If the Broncos win, I predict that they will go unbeaten as well. Whoever wins, I think that these teams will ultimately meet again somewhere down the road in the playoffs. Regardless, my predictions remain the same. The Panthers will go down next week against the Packers, the Bengals the following week against the Cardinals, and in four weeks I predict the Patriots will finish what they couldn’t finish in 2007,  beat the Broncos, and go unbeaten. *Mic Drop* What do you think? Comment your own predictions below or tune in and watch the games for yourself!

Written by Kenny Quinn

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