Two weeks remain in the NFL regular season and wins are increasingly tough to come by. With every game of vital importance, one key focus for teams with postseason aspirations is to pick up wins on the road.
Chargers quarterback PHILIP RIVERS has experienced late season success away from San Diego. Since becoming the starter in 2006, Rivers has posted a 10-0 road record in December/January.
“Teams that go to the playoffs win on the road late in the year,” says Rivers, whose club is in the hunt for an AFC West title. “It’s coming down to the last weeks, so teams are going to have to win on the road and win late in the year in the weather to advance. It’s always a challenge on the road.”
Teams around the league are enjoying a unique comfort level as visitors in 2010 compared to previous seasons. Through Week 15, 10 clubs have a .667 winning percentage or better on the road, which is the most such teams through 15 weeks since 1975 (11 teams in a 14-week season).
The Indianapolis Colts, who are in a tight AFC South race, visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. The Colts have advanced to the postseason in each of the past eight seasons and aim to join the Dallas Cowboys (1975-1983) as the only teams with nine consecutive playoff appearances in NFL history.
“Obviously our scenario has not changed,” says Colts head coach JIM CALDWELL. “Even with a couple of victories under our belt in the last quarter of the season, we still are basically in the same position. We’re going to have to win the next one.”
“This is what being a part of the NFL is about – being a fan, being a coach and being a player, this is what it’s all about,” says Baltimore Ravens head coach JOHN HARBAUGH, whose club travels to Cleveland on Sunday. “Every game is important and every game is big.”
