5-0: Patriots-Cowboys showdown a rarity

Sunday’s showdown between the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys marks just the fifth time in NFL history that two teams with 5-0 records or better have faced each other.

Nov. 13, 1921 – Akron Pros (7-0) at Buffalo All-Americans (6-0)
Akron 0, Buffalo 0 – Played at Canisius Field in Buffalo, the All-Americans controlled play for most of the second half.  However, four missed field goals by Buffalo and a missed game-winning field goal by Paul Sheeks of Akron kept the game scoreless. 

Nov. 4, 1923 – Canton Bulldogs (5-0) at Chicago Cardinals (5-0)
Canton 7, Chicago 3 – The defending league champion Bulldogs traveled to White Sox Park (aka Comiskey Park) to battle the Cardinals.  Chicago controlled the tempo for most of the game and carried a 3-0 lead, courtesy of a 38-yard field goal by Paddy Driscoll, into the fourth quarter.  However, the Bulldogs’ attack, highlighted by a 45-yard Lou Smyth-to-Guy Chamberlin pass play put Canton at the Cardinals 13-yard-line.  Early in the fourth quarter, Smyth pounded over the goal line for the winning score. (See program cover, right)

Oct. 28, 1973 – Los Angeles Rams (6-0) at Minnesota Vikings (6-0)
Minnesota 10, Los Angeles 9 – The Vikings defense came up big with two interceptions of John Hadl passes, a key sack late in the game, and blocked a field goal.  The lone touchdown drive of the day featured a variety of plays by the Vikings including a double reverse that put Minnesota at the 9-yard-line.  From there, Fran Tarkenton hit running back Chuck Foreman on a TD reception.

Oct. 24, 2004 – New York Jets (5-0) at New England Patriots (5-0)
New England 13, New York 7 – All the scoring took place in the first half as the Patriots’ winning margin came via a Tom Brady 7-yard TD pass to David Patten with five seconds remaining in the half.  On the day, Brady completed 20 of 29 passes for 230 yards; David Givens had 5 catches for 107 yards; and Corey Dillon gained 115 yards on 22 carries.