Saints, Colts go for 12-0

Never in its long history has the NFL had two 11-0 teams. Never has it had an 0-6 club win its next five games.

It has them now.

The New Orleans Saints, fresh from a romp over New England that affirmed their power, and the Indianapolis Colts, the only team already into the playoffs, go for an even dozen victories without a blemish today. New Orleans heads to Washington, and must keep winning because Minnesota is right on its heels in the NFC. Indy, which clinched the AFC South last weekend, hosts the Titans – the guys with the five successive wins after dropping their first six games.

A victory would give the Saints the NFC South crown. Their dynamic offense and ball-hawking defense were on display against the Patriots, who were overmatched, outmanned and even outcoached.

“People are going to talk about this game and maybe blow it out of proportion a little bit,” sensational quarterback Drew Brees said after throwing for 371 yards and five touchdowns. “If anything, you have the challenge of coming back on a short week and playing at Washington.”

Indy will tie New England’s record 21-game, regular-season winning streak if it handles Tennessee. But that’s become quite a chore since Vince Young was elevated to starting quarterback and the Titans got healthy on defense.

“At this point, we’re 5-6 and on a five-game winning streak, but at the same time, we don’t have anything to lose,” Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said. “That’s the attitude we have. We have five, and now we’re going for six.”

As impressive as the Titans’ turnaround has been, it pales in comparison to the Colts going for 21.

“(Tying the record) doesn’t matter, we’re on a mission right now and that’s to win the Super Bowl,” Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden said. “We just want to keep this thing going.”