The elite shall meet. I’ve already described it as this season’s Super Bowl. Many others are claiming it will be the best game of 2007. It’s still too early to make a prediction, so I’ll join in on the week-long Colts/Patriots hype with some interesting factoids about the big game this Sunday:

• This will be the first-ever meeting between teams that started a season at 7-0 or better.
• The game will feature the two winningest head coach-quarterback combinations since 1970. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and head coach Tony Dungy lead the category with a .770 winning percentage. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, who rank second with a .765 percentage, can surpass Manning-Dungy with a win this Sunday. Amazing.
• Of course, if the Colts win, they will join the 1929-31 Green Bay Packers as the only teams in history to start three consecutive seasons at 8-0.
• Not only will the Colts and Patriots put their undefeated records on the line, but Tom Brady will seek to continue a streak of his own. He has thrown three or more touchdown passes in all eight games this season, which matches Peyton’s record of eight such consecutive games in 2004. With three passing touchdowns on Sunday, Tom would own the longest such streak in history.

Fellow b5 blogger James Edwards is calling this game an “offensive showdown.” Check out his thoughts over at SquibKick.com.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Colts vs. Patriots: Excellence on Display as Two Remaining Undefeated Teams Meet

Apparently injuries to key players isn’t a big deal to the Indianapolis Colts. With starters Marvin Harrison, Joseph Addai, Freddy Keiaho, Bob Sanders and Rob Morris out, the Colts plugged in reserves and routed Tampa Bay 33-14 today. Of course, the straw that stirs the Indy drink is quarterback Peyton Manning and the Colts’ offensive line. Peyton is the catalyst. And a quality O-line is imperative to any team’s success. Peyton turned in a 253-yard, two-TD performance. But when he handed the ball off, it was Kenton Keith making his first NFL start in impressive fashion with 121 yards on 28 carries.

So who is Kenton Keith? Well, he played his college ball at New Mexico State. He was signed by the Colts as a free agent back in January (yes, during the playoffs). Kenton was originally signed by the Jets back in ‘04, but he was waived. He ended up going to Canada where he played the past four years (’03-’06) in the CFL with Saskatchewan. It was just a matter of time before he returned to the States to play, though. He’s got the National Football League in his blood. His cousins are Roger Craig (you remember him with the San Francisco 49ers, he’s retired now, of course) and Ahman Green (Houston Texans).

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Who is Kenton Keith? Banged-Up Indianapolis Colts Roll With Reserves

Did you notice the C with four stars under it on Peyton Manning’s jersey tonight? The idea came from players during a meeting of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s new Player Advisory Council. The result will be renewed emphasis by NFL clubs this year on the role of season-long NFL team captains on offense, defense and special teams through a team captain leadership initiative. Captains traditionally serve as a link between players, coaches and management to help foster cohesion within teams. The initiative has been strongly endorsed by NFL head coaches and by the six-member NFL Player Advisory Council that was recently established by Commissioner Goodell in conjunction with the NFL Players Association.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Clubs Recognize Team Captains

Entering the 2007 season, Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre needs only seven more touchdown passes to top Hall of Famer Dan Marino on the NFL’s all-time list in that category. Dan has 420. Brett has 414. Nobody else is even close. Fran Tarkenton is in third place with 342. Of course, one still-active player, Peyton Manning, might have something to say about this record before he is done. Peyton has 275 TDs and counting.

You think this record didn’t have something to do with Brett’s return for another season in Green Bay? You’d better believe it did. I know the Packers are a promising young team, but Brett’s no dummy. He saw that record well within reach. He’s already got a Super Bowl ring. He wants the record.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brett Favre Goes For Touchdown Record

Peyton Manning now finds his name linked with the greatest to ever play quarterback in the NFL. In 2007, Peyton can become the first NFL QB to throw 25 touchdowns passes in 10 consecutive seasons, and also the first in the history of the game to pass for 4,000 yards in eight different seasons. You can’t help but think how similar he is to Johnny Unitas — both Colts, both classic quarterbacks. Here’s how Peyton stands against other notable QBs in touchdown passes through the first nine years of their careers:

• Peyton Manning – 275
• Dan Marino – 266
• Brett Favre – 235
• Jim Kelly – 201
• Johnny Unitas – 187

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Peyton Manning Among Best QBs Ever