16-0 isn't as far-fetched as it sounds

Sporting News, The, Nov 16, 1998 by Bill Walsh

The Broncos' 9-0 start has a lot of people wondering whether they will challenge the 1972 Dolphins and become only the second unbeaten, untied team in NFL history.

To which I say, why not?

The Broncos are facing generally weaker competition than the Dolphins ever did. Parity has never been greater in the NFL, due mainly to free agency. The rules governing player movement are geared to producing as many 8-8 teams as possible.

There were as many bad teams 26 years ago as there are today, but there were more elite teams. Teams generally kept their best players from year to year. The best teams I've ever seen were the Pittsburgh teams of the late-'70s, which kept their core players together long enough to win four Super Bowls in six years. There are only four teams I would consider elite today: Denver, Minnesota, Green Bay and San Francisco. The Broncos will not play any of the other three teams, unless it's in the Super Bowl.

The Broncos' remaining schedule is in their favor. The cumulative record of their eight remaining opponents is 31-32, with Oakland and Miami, each at 6-3, being the best. That Oakland game, however, will be played in Denver, so I expect the Broncos to win.

There are only two games the Broncos need to worry about at Kansas City on Monday night and at Miami on December 21, another Monday night. The Chiefs have been disappointing, but they haven't been swept in the season series by Denver in seven years. As far as the Miami game is concerned, you can only imagine the emotion that will surround that game if the Broncos come to town 14-0, trying to eclipse the Dolphins' NFL regular-season record.

The Broncos' fate may hinge on two factors injuries and luck. They have been relatively free of injuries the past 2% seasons, during which time they've been 38-8, including playoffs. Bubby Brister filled in admirably for John Elway earlier this season, but there's no way Mike Shanahan wants to explore life after Elway any sooner than he has to.

Luck is just as unpredictable as injury. The Dolphins went undefeated largely because, in addition to their superior talent, all the breaks went their way. That must happen for the Broncos if they are to make their own history.

Bill Walsh coached the 49ers to three Super Bowl titles and is an exclusive NFL analyst for THE SPORTING NEWS this season. E-mail him at walsh@sportingnews.com, and then look for his weekly e-mailbag and picks at sportingnews, com. Chat with Walsh every other Wednesday on AOL (keyword: LIVE).