Undefeated
After seven weeks in OBA, three teams sit undefeated. The Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans. How did they get this way, what do they have lying ahead, the “Achilles heel” of each team and can any of these teams reach the accomplishment that only the 2007 New England Patriots achieved: 16-0.
Starting off with the Houston Texans. Led by front-runner NFL MVP Matt Schaub, have won some close games (Panthers by 6, Jags by 4), as well as dominating others. The Texans are the 2nd scoring offense and Schaub is the reason why.With 22 TD passes next to only 4 INT's and over 2,000 yards in 7 weeks, Schaub is on point, leading the league in almost every passing category including completion percentage (74%). The duo of Andre Johnson and Greg Jennings have certainly helped, racking up a combined 58 catches and 1,049 yards.
Is there a way to stop the Texans? It doesn't sound easy, but you need to stop Schaub. Arian Foster this season has only ran for 288 yards and 1 TD. The best way to beat the Texans is to try and limit the passing game and force him to give the ball to Foster. Easier said than done.
BEST TEAM TO STOP THE STREAK: TENNESSEE TITANS
The Titans are 1st in offense and in scoring behind Chris Johnson. The Texans and Titans have yet to meet (week 11 & 13) and with potentially home-field advantage on the line in the AFC, these games will be close. The first game is always easy... the second game is the hardest. For that reason I expect the Houston Texans to go 14-2, with their losses coming against the Titans in week 13 and NFC powerhouse Falcons in week 17.
The Arizona Cardinals have surprised teams this year by starting off 7-0 and taking lead of a division that was previously dominated by either the 49ers or Seahawks. After starting off the year with rookie QB Kody Grosso, the Cards made a switch at QB and put in Kevin Kolb. Since has been in the
lineup, he has thrown 13 touchdowns next to only 1 interception. Larry Fitzgerald leads the league in receiving yards and touchdowns, and halfback Beanie Wells is currently ranked 4th in rushing yards.
The real reason why the Cards have done so well this year is because of their defense. Patrick Peterson, William Gay and Aqib Talib have locked down opposing WR's and the defensive line has been forcing pressure, creating turnovers and getting sacks.
The biggest problem the Cardinals have is their lack of ability to convert on 3rd down. The Cards have only converted 38% of their 3rd downs as opposed to the Texans (54%) and Bills (45%). The Cardinals offense also has a tendency of going stretches of the game without scoring. They can go from blazing hot, to ice cold, especially when Kolb gets sacked early in the drive, or Wells gets stuffed on 1st down. Also, if Fitz were to hypothetically go down, the offense would practically be derailed because while Floyd and Roberts have played well when needed, they struggle to get off the press, unlike Fitz.
BEST TEAM TO STOP THE STREAK: DALLAS COWBOYS
Week 15 will be the NFC Championship preview. The Cowboys have the 1st overall ranked defense (1st in rush defense, 2nd in pass defense) and DeMarcus Ware is on DMVP watch. With the Cardinals lack of ability to convert on 3rd down and the Cowboys lock down defense on all fronts, this could be the game to derail the perfect season, 2 games short of regular season ends. The Cardinals, at the time of writing, look like they will go into Dallas as the underdog. The Cards will clinch the NFC West, but the Cowboys will be the team to end the streak.
The Buffalo Bills and their three headed monster at running back have been rolling over defensive lines and controlling the clock. CJ Spiller, Fred Jackson and Brandon Jacobs have been cycling in and out of rotation keeping fresh legs in the game, and if needed, Tarvaris Jackson can make a play here or there to pull off a much needed gain of yards.
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