There were studies alicia key five games alecia keys gathers that were decided by three points or less, including a game-winning touchdown on the last play of the game and an overtime thriller. With only five games left to be played for all teams, there is much more separation left to do within the league’s standings before January’s playoffs.There are still the “Have’s” (six teams with eight wins or more, including the league’s two undefeated teams—Colts and Saints both 11-0) and the “Have Not’s” (seven teams with three or less wins, who are now basically spoilers), but the majority of the league (19 teams) are still caught in the parity-laden middle with records ranging from 7-4 to 4-7, including former 2008 playoff teams:Arizona Cardinals (7-4), Philadelphia Eagles (7-4), NY Giants (6-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5), Baltimore Ravens (6-5), Atlanta Falcons (6-5), Tennessee Titans (5-6), and Carolina Panthers (4-7).It is time for the “Contenders” and “Pretenders” to pick and choose their status in the league’s last six weeks. There are 12 coveted playoff spots up for grabs and you have to expect that some teams will soon be giving thanks this Thanksgiving holiday for their opportunity in the playoffs.The Quest for Perfection Continues The NFL’s two unbeaten squads (New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts) stayed that way for another week. It is the first time in league history there are two teams at 11-0. For the second straight week, the two unbeatens couldn’t have played moredisparaging games, but in the end, both teams are on the threshold of greatness. I am not saying that the 1972 Miami Dolphins (perfect 17-0 including a Super Bowl win) or the 2007 New England Patriots (perfect 16-0 in the regular season) need to worry just yet, but both the Saints and Colts are moving close to their neighborhoods. The Colts kept their record unblemished and won their 20th straight game despite falling behind by scores 17-0 and 20-7 (halftime) to the upstart Houston Texans.

It was their fifth consecutive win when trailing in the fourth quarter. Led by QB Peyton Manning (27-35, 244 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs), who has a passer rating of 113.9 in fourth quarters this season, the Colts went on a 21-0 run and outscored the Texans 28-7 in the second half on their way to a thrilling 35-27 win in Houston, their sixth straight win over the Texans. Many players contributed to the Colts’ win, including rookie starting corner Jerraud Powers (thirdround pick from Auburn), but no player probably came up bigger than LB Clint Session who had a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter alicia keyes . Session read the eyes of struggling Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and jumped the route for an easy game-changing pick-six.The Colts clinched the AFC South with the win and the Jaguars’ loss to the 49ers (can you believe it? In only 11 games!) alisha keys . Now Jim Caldwell’s team may soon be sitting out some veterans so that they can heal up for the playoffs.The Colts are also, only one win shy of tying the Patriots’ record of 21 straight regular season wins set in 2006-08 alica keys . With 11 wins, Caldwell tied Steve Mariucci for the most consecutive wins by a rookie head coach since 1950 aliciakeys . Indianapolis has won 11 games for the seventh straight year, an NFL record, and they can also extend their current NFL record of six straight seasons with 12 wins or more with one more victory.The Colts’ win was thrilling, but the Monday Night Football matchup of the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots was much more anticipated. In a game that some people were calling, “The Battle of the Bayou,” or “Super Bowl XLIII ¾,” many people—including yours truly—thought that the Saints’ magic carpet ride would end to Bill Belichick’s three-time Super Bowl champion Patriots. But to the chagrin of Saints’ doubters, Sean Payton’s high-octane team quickly made the Patriots look old and confused, while turning this game into a laugher. In stunning fashion the Saints whipped New England in a 38-17 rout. Playing without former 2006 first-round pick Reggie Bush, the Saints didn’t miss a beat as they piled up 480 yards of total offense and easily scored 38 points. Luckily for the Patriots, the Saints were in cruise control for much of the fourth quarter and New England agreed, putting in their backups to end the game. Though the Saints will try to downplay the significance of the win, there is no doubt that they wanted to prove to the rest of the league that they are the “Real Deal.”They did make a statement with the win, because this wasn’t the Bucs, Seahawks, or any other lower-level NFL squad that the Saints dismantled.

This was the big, bad New England Patriots, who have won over 105 games this decade and recently only lost to the Colts by one point just a couple of weeks ago . To put it plain and simple: The Saints are a scary bunch who jumped all over the Patriots and never let up. With 407 points scored through 11 games, they are approaching the exclusive NFL +500-point club. The 1999 St you dont know my name . Louis Rams (529 points scored and Super Bowl champs), 1998 Minnesota Vikings (556 points scored and a record of 15-1), and 2007 New Patriots (NFL record 589 points score and 16-0 AFC Champs) better watch out as the 2009 Saints are a force to be reckoned with. I don’t know about you, but from my TV it looked like  the Saints were the best team in the NFL in all three phases of the game, and of course MVP candidate QB Drew Brees (see Game Balls) led the way as he had a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3 for the contest, while averaging an amazing 16.1 yards per pass attempt.Brees, who was only sacked once, spread the ball around to seven different pass-catchers including explosive receivers Marques Colston, Devrey Henderson, and Robert Meachem, who each caught a touchdown.The Saints offense wasn’t the only story of the game as their defense basically shutdown the NFL’s second-ranked offense coming into the game you don t know my name . Using a variety of blitzes and coverage’s, the Saints made Patriots QB Tom Brady (21-36 for 237 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions) look very average . The Patriots were limited to 17 points and a third down efficiency of only 4-13 (30 percent), while turning the ball over three times (two INTs and one lost fumble).The New Orleans defense recorded two sacks and everyone contributed, even 33-year-old CB Mike McKenzie (three tackles and one INT), who was signed by the Saints last week. A very telling stat was that the Saints held Patriots wide receivers Wes Welker and Randy Moss to a combined nine catches for 99 yards and no touchdowns, with only one catch going longer than 10 yards.The Saints have now won 11 games in a season for the first time since 1991 and could be on their way to the No 1 seed in the NFC. Though the Vikings are only one game behind the Saints in terms of wins, New Orleans could possibly be the NFL’s best due to their explosive nature on offense, defense, and special teams. After the game,  Brees talked about how this win means a little more than your average “W.”  “[The win] only counts for one win on the stat sheet,” Brees said.