It seems like it should have occurred many more times, but when the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans clash in Nashville on Sunday, it will be only the eighth time in National Football League history matching undefeated teams with records of 5-0 or better.
This one would not have happened were it not for the Covid-19 outbreak, which caused the game to be postponed from Oct. 4, creating several changes in the NFL schedule.
There is a Buffalo angle to two of such showdowns this late in the season, including the first.
The Buffalo All-Americans (6-0) played a scoreless tie with the Akron Pros (7-0) on Nov. 13, 1921. The game was played on a muddy field at the Canisius Villa. It had nearly been called off the day before because of 8 inches of snow on the field. However, when it warmed and the snow was melting rapidly, the teams were ordered by league president Joe Carr to proceed with the game, according to the archives of the Akron Beacon-Journal.
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Two seasons later, the Canton Bulldogs (5-0) defeated the Chicago Cardinals (5-0) in the Windy City, 7-3, on their way to the pro football championship.
The last time two teams with 5-0 or better records met was Nov. 1, 2015, when the Green Bay Packers (6-0) and Denver Broncos (6-0) faced each other in the Mile High City. The Broncos won, 29-10. That was the season when Peyton Manning led Denver to its third Super Bowl championship.
No surprise, the New England Patriots were involved and won three of similar showdown games in the Super Bowl era of the NFL. The Pats defeated the Cowboys and Colts in 2007, and the New York Jets in 2004. The Rams of first-year head coach Chuck Knox downed by the Minnesota Vikings in 1973. Knox, of course, went on to coach the Bills for five seasons (1978-82).
A capsule look at the Week 7 NFL games, including matching teams with records not as impressive as the All-Americans and Akrons:
Game of the day
Steelers (5-0) at Titans (5-0)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Steelers (-1½).
Record ATS: Steelers 4-1; Titans 2-3.
Over/under: 52.
Times O/U: Steelers 2/3; Titans 4/1.
The scoop: This one should bring back memories of those hard-hitting Steelers-Houston Oilers (Titans' predecessors) games of late 1970s. While everybody is paying attention to Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes and rookies Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers is putting together an impressive season in his comeback year. He has 11-1 TD-INT ratio and has arsenal of receivers augmented by rookie sensation Chase Claypool. ... Titans' RB Derrick Henry had 212 rushing yards last week, pushing his season total to 588 as he defends title he won last year. Breakout of QB Ryan Tannehill (13 TDs, 2 INTs) gives Tennessee balance.
Outlook: Titans have to be better on defense (409.8 yards per game) to match bruises with tough Pittsburgh. Steelers, 27-20.
Top attractions
Seahawks (5-0) at Cardinals (4-2)
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.
The line: Seahawks (-3½).
Record ATS: Seahawks 4-1, Cardinals 4-2.
Over/under: 56½.
Times O/U: Seahawks 3/1/1, Cardinals 1/5.
The scoop: There are no easy games when NFC West teams clash this season. All four look like they have playoff potential. Seahawks helped by bye week after close shave at home over Vikings. Cardinals won last meeting with Seahawks, 27-13, in December at Seattle. ... Seattle defense, which is allowing 471.2 ypg, will have its hands full with Cards' WR DeAndre Hopkins, who leads league with 47 receptions, 601 receiving yards. RB Kenyan Drake has 478 rushing yards and 4.6 average.
Outlook: Russell Wilson-Kyler Murray duel should produce 60 points. Cardinals, 35-30.
Buccaneers (4-2) at Raiders (3-2)
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m.
The line: Bucs (-3).
Record ATS: Bucs 3-2-1, Raiders 3-2.
Over/under: 53½.
Times O/U: Bucs 2/4, Raiders 5/0.
The scoop: Tampa Bay finally got some semblance of Tom Brady it had bargained for and five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown from Rob Gronkowski in rout of Packers. ... Raiders coming off an impressive showing, too, in win at Kansas City two weeks ago. ... It's first time Jon Gruden of Raiders has coached against franchise he led to the Super Bowl championship in 2002.
Outlook: League-leading Tampa defense (282.0 ypg) could cause headaches for Raiders' QB Derek Carr. Bucs, 28-19.
Bears (5-1) at Rams (4-2)
TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:15 p.m.
The line: Rams (-5½).
Record ATS: Bears 4-2, Rams 3-3.
Over/under: 53½.
Times O/U: Bears 2/4, Rams 2/4.
The scoop: Can't help thinking back to old-time Bears like George Gulyanics and Bulldog Turner and the Rams' Verda (Vitamin T) Smith and Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch when these two meet. Also, witnessed mighty Bears' defense of Buddy Ryan smothering Rams, 24-0, at Soldier Field in 1985 NFC championship game. ... Ryan would have loved having ex-UB great Khalil Mack to turn loose on opponents. Mack has 4.5 sacks.
Outlook: Bears have lost only to Colts against unimpressive list of opponents. Rams have fallen to Bills and 49ers on the road and are 2-0 at their new home in Inglewood. Rams, 24-17.
Chiefs (5-1) at Broncos (2-3)
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m.
The line: Chiefs (-9½).
Record ATS: Chiefs 4-2, Broncos 3-2.
Over/under: 48.
Times O/U: Chiefs 3/3, Broncos 2/3.
The scoop: Strong running game makes Mahomes (15 TDs, 1 INT) all the more dangerous, especially with receiving weapons at his disposal. Broncos scored only nine points total in two losses to Chiefs last season. Kansas City has won last nine in rivalry, where there is no love lost.
Outlook: It won't be as easy to maul the Broncos with KC ground game as it was against Bills. Denver defense giving up respectable 349.8 ypg even without Von Miller. Chiefs, 30-27.
49ers (3-3) at Patriots (2-3)
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m.
The line: Patriots (-2½).
Record ATS: 49ers 3-3, Patriots 2-3.
Over/under: 45.
Times O/U: 49ers 3/2/1, Patriots 2/3.
The scoop: Jimmy Garoppolo of the 49ers goes up against Patriots team that traded him in 2017. It also will be first time Kyle Shanahan of Niners has coached against a Bill Belichick team. ... Niners had won only over lowly Giants and Jets in Meadowlands before rising up to smack the Rams, 24-16, in Santa Clara last week. Raheem Mostert (ankle) may not be available for 49ers so look for rookie JaMycal Hasty to get lots of action again. Hasty finished with nine carries for 37 yards against Rams and helped drain the clock to nail down victory over L.A.
Outlook: This will be a good measuring stick as to how good the Patriots really are after upset loss to Broncos last week. If they win this one: Watch out, Bills. Patriots, 20-17.
Best of the rest
Lions (2-3) at Falcons (1-5)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Falcons (-2½).
Record ATS: Lions 2-3, Falcons 2-4.
Over/under: 56½.
Times O/U: Lions 2/4, Falcons 4/2.
The scoop: Falcons have already fired their coach and Lions' Matt Patricia would seem to be on thin ice. ... Despite team's record, Matt Ryan is putting together impressive stats (1,843 passing yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTS). He threw for four TDs in win at Vikings last week. Calvin Ridley (15.6 average on 35 receptions) and Julio Jones (15.2 for 23 receptions) are unstoppable some games. ... Adrian Peterson of Lions has 285 rushing yards in his drive for Emmitt Smith's record.
Outlook: Atlanta's firepower pays off again. Falcons, 31-21.
Browns (4-2) at Bengals (1-4-1)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Browns (-3).
Record ATS: Browns 4-2, Bengals 4-2.
Over/under: 50½.
Times O/U: Browns 4/2, Bengals 4/2.
The scoop: Cleveland laid a huge egg against old nemesis Pittsburgh last week and its playoff readiness again looks like a mirage. Baker Mayfield passed for only 119 yards last week and threw two costly interceptions, one returned for a score.
Outlook: Browns' Myles Garrett (7 sacks) could make it a long day for Bengals' prize rookie Joe Burrow. Browns, 27-21.
Packers (4-1) at Texans (1-5)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Packers (-3½).
Record ATS: Packers 4-1, Texans 2-4.
Over/under: 56.
Times O/U: Packers 3/2, Texans 3/3.
The scoop: Buccaneers made Aaron Rodgers look almost human in rout of Packers last week. The Bucs scored the final 38 points in a 38-10 win, largest margin of defeat since 38-7 loss at San Francisco in 2019 season. Rodgers threw his first two INT of season and they helped Tampa rally. ... Texans had Titans on ropes in Nashville, but not satisfied with eight-point lead, they went for two and failed, leaving door open for Titans to come from seven down and chance for overtime win, which they got.
Outlook: Despite difference in records, getting Packers ship righted in Houston not an easy proposition. Texans, 30-27.
Panthers (3-3) at Saints (3-2)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Saints (-7½).
Record ATS: Panthers 3-3, Saints 3-3.
Over/under: 51.
Times O/U: Panthers 3/3, Saints 4/0/1.
The scoop: Carolina QB Teddy Bridgewater made five starts for New Orleans when Drew Brees was injured last season and passed for 1,384 yards and nine TDs. He's not having nearly as much success with Panthers. ... Saints are coming off a bye week, which means that receiving ace Michael Thomas should be recovered from his injury. Veteran Emmanuel Sanders caught a career-high 12 passes for 122 yards in home win over Chargers in OT two weeks ago.
Outlook: Saints have won five of last six in rivalry, one reason Panthers slid down in NFC South after 15-1 season in 2015. Saints, 35-24.
Bills (4-2) at Jets (0-5)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Bills (-13).
Record ATS: Bills 3-3, Jets 0-6.
Over/under: 46.
Times O/U: Bills 5/1, Jets 3/3.
The scoop: Bills didn't tackle and defensive scheme did not look sound in routs by Titans and Chiefs. Loss of 656 pounds of heft in middle (Star Lotuleilei and Jordan Phillips) seems to have hurt the D-line, and shuffling in O-line not working. Although badly outplayed, Bills had chance to steal a win after KC's extra point miss left a late six-point margin. All it took was one turnover in plus territory, which Bills nearly got. Sam Darnold due back as New York starter at QB. Bills are big favorite here but may be underdog in six of remaining 10 games. Can they win AFC East at 8-8?
Outlook: Expect Greg Williams' defense to sell out in pass rush against Bills (92.2 rushing ypg, 27th in league). Even Jets rushing (105.3) is better. Bills need key defenders to step up so team can regain confidence and swagger. Bills, 24-17.
Cowboys (2-4) at Washington (1-5)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Pick 'em.
Record ATS: Cowboys 0-6, Washington 2-3-1.
Over/under: 46.
Times O/U: Cowboys 4/2, Washington 2/4.
The scoop: If a team needed a breather, it's Dallas, which was routed at home by Cardinals after five straight high-scoring, tense games. ... Cowboys' defense may be helped by activation of defensive end Randy Gregory, who was removed from the commissioner's exempt list for violating NFL substance-abuse policy.
Outlook: Only time Washington scored more than 20 was in 27-17 win over Eagles in opener. However, nobody has given up more points than Dallas (218). Cowboys, 33-17.
Dog of the day
Jaguars (1-5) at Chargers (1-4)
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m.
The line: Chargers (-7½).
Record ATS: Jaguars 2-4; Chargers 3-1-2.
Over/under: 49.
Times O/U: Jaguars 2/3/1; Chargers 2/3.
The scoop: Jaguars have lost last five and have Texans, Packers and Steelers coming up. Not good for Doug Marrone. Chargers had bye week, which may help rookie QB Justin Herbert settle down. Chargers have lost last four, two in overtime, one to Chiefs and one to Saints. Herbert has nine TD passes with three INTs. ... Jags' Gardner Minshew II connected with DJ Chark seven times last week and Keelan Cole caught six for 143 yards in loss to Detroit.
Outlook: Back home after trips to New Orleans and Tampa and a bye should have Chargers fresh against undermanned opponent. Chargers, 33-20.
Last week: Favorites were 10-4 outright, 6-8 against the spread; six games went over the number and eight under.
Last week's picks: 10-4 outright; 9-5 ATS; over/under predictions were 7-7.
Season record: 57-27-1 outright; 38-46-1 ATS; over/under predictions are 44-40-1.
