Who dares taunt the Football Gods? Thy name is Reggie Bush.
Back in October, the New Orleans running back was asked if the Saints could go undefeated. He answered with, “"Can we go undefeated? Yes. I do think we have the players, the chemistry, we have the heart and dedication, the coaching staff, we have the players."
Bush said that just six games into the season. So far, the Saints have maintained perfect, but talking about going undefeated always catches up to teams.
Who remembers the 1998 Denver Broncos? They deflected the undefeated question for weeks until someone said he believed his team could do it. Soon afterward on week 15, the Broncos fall to the 8-8 New York Giants.
How about the 2005 Indianapolis Colts? QB Peyton Manning and his teammates held off undefeated talk until someone cracked. Then on the fateful week 15, San Diego came to the Colts’ house and knocked Indy off of their lofty perch. The Chargers finished 9-7.
Reggie, you won’t want to make the football gods angry. They have a way of dealing with overconfident players and/or teams. Nothing makes them happier than to wipe smirks off the face of the cocky.
They enjoy messing with teams at just the wrong moments. The 2007 Patriots made it through the regular season undefeated, but losing momentum. After a season of delivering a message by humiliating opponents following the Spygate controversy, the Pats came up short in Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants.
The football gods especially like making the loss especially poignant by making the upset to a team that really has no business winning the game. 1990 was building towards an epic match-up between NFC rivals the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. It was going to be extra special because both teams were perfect through 10 games. But in week 12, both teams went down, the Giants to Philadelphia, and the Niners to the then-Los Angeles Rams. While the G-men were knocked off by a playoff-bound Eagles team, the Rams finished 5-11.
The football gods have a strong sense of honor and demand respect. They frown upon predictions. Making an in-season undefeated boast is like a slap in the face to the remaining opponents. And the football gods make teams pay for that arrogance. Because the Colts have been through this, they will dodge the question like Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu talking about how great his hair looks.
Since the radio interview, the Saints had a few close calls. They needed a huge comeback against Miami, barely held off the one-win St. Louis Rams for a five-point win, and two tough wins over divisional foes. That’s cutting it very close for a team with undefeated aspirations. The Saints should concern themselves about the playoffs, not an undefeated season.
But how seriously should we take Bush’s words? He went on to talk about his career during the interview and said, "Once I do win an NFL MVP, once we do win a Super Bowl, once I am in the Pro Bowl, it's going to be that much more special because of all the criticism that I had to come through and because of the work I've put into it, it'll mean that much more to me and I'll appreciate it more."
Really? That kind of talk from a third-down back? Maybe next Bush will discover an unknown ancient civilization too.
A few things I’m looking for:
Finish Drives: Against an offensive powerhouse like the Saints, drives that enter the red zone must pass through into the endzone. New England can’t substitute field goals for touchdowns.
It’s Not Christmas Yet: Don’t get in the holiday spirit: It’s not better to give than receive right now. No turnovers offensively. RB Laurence Maroney’s fumble streak must end.
60 Minutes: The highest-scoring second quarter team has to keep putting up points in the second half to hold off any possible Saints comeback.
New Orleans fullback Heath Evans dropped a dime on his former New England mates to help the Saints’ cause. But Bill Belichick will throw in enough change to be the difference in a Patriots win.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.
