Undefeated teams rarely meet this far into the season

[Fencer]

Teams with 5-0 records or better have met only four times in NFL history, and two of those games came in the first three years of the league (1921 and 1923). ...

(From NFL.com)

If the Pats do the expected and win this weekend, it will be a pretty special two-game stretch indeed.

 

[onegameatatime]

I believe last time was Jets-Pats in 2004 and Pats won. I believe the highest # of wins was 6-0 vs. 6-0. This all assumes that ESPN did its job right.

I don't like to look ahead and scoff at 19-0 predictions and threads, but there is a real possibility of a Pats-Indy match-up of undefeateds.

 

[BelichickFan]

I heard that stat before and it stunned me. 5-0 is great but it's amazing that it's that rare for two teams. In addition, if the Colts and Patriots meet with 8-0 and 7-0 records it would be the "most undefeated" matchup ever; but that's looking ahead a little.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

I also think it's a special game in that if Brady wins this game (the 100th regular season game of his career), he will tie the record for most games won in the first 100 games of a career.

He will tie Roger Staubach, the former Dallas Cowboy great.

 

[solman]

I heard that stat before and it stunned me. 5-0 is great but it's amazing that it's that rare for two teams. In addition, if the Colts and Patriots meet with 8-0 and 7-0 records it would be the "most undefeated" matchup ever; but that's looking ahead a little.

Its not that rare for there to be two undefeated teams in week six. By the time you get to week 9 it starts to get very rare. That means that the two undefeated teams have to be scheduled against each other during a very brief window. This is why the probability is so low.

If we win this week, the odds are against NE and Indy winning the six remaining games before their matchup (which would be the greatest matchup of undefeated teams yet).

 

[godef]

Its not that rare for there to be two undefeated teams in week six. By the time you get to week 9 it starts to get very rare. That means that the two undefeated teams have to be scheduled against each other during a very brief window. This is why the probability is so low.

If we win this week, the odds are against NE and Indy winning the six remaining games before their matchup (which would be the greatest matchup of undefeated teams yet).

Actually, it's been stated that teams 5-0 + have only met 4 times in NFL history (including Jets at Pats in 2004).

Of course, your criteria is stated a little differently, "week 6" as opposed to 5+ wins and undefeated. Per your criteria, this would include the 4-0 Patriots playing the 5-0 Broncos in week 6 in 1997.

 

[solman]

Actually, it's been stated that teams 5-0 + have only met 4 times in NFL history (including Jets at Pats in 2004).

You didn't read my post. I said it is not that rare for there to be two undefeated teams in week six. It IS rare for them to play each other. I was commenting on a poster who exclaimed how amazing it is for this to be such a rare event. What makes it rare is the scheduling.

I believe I was first to post the previous four games on this board. I have no reason to retract my previous statement.