Carolina Panthers

When undefeated seasons come skidding to a halt

Published Dec. 17, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Carolina Panthers have reached territory a handful of other NFL teams have traversed. Like the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, Ron Rivera's Panthers have a perfect record in December. On Sunday, Carolina risks its mark against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

The Panthers, Bears and Patriots don't exactly fit together like puzzle pieces but there are some commonalities between the teams.

First, and most current, Mike Ditka's 1985 Bears had a reserve linebacker named Ron Rivera. That would be the same person who has led the Panthers through their perfect run.

The Bears roared into Miami, where they were promptly muzzled by a high-powered Dolphins attack on a Monday night. The 38-24 loss would be the lone one suffered by Ditka, Rivera & Co. that season.

And it would be Rivera's Panthers who will meet a franchise that knows something about blemishing flawless records.

In 1998, the Broncos came into the then-Meadowlands and were two-touchdown favorites over a mediocre Giant team.

Big Blue, however, sent the Broncos back to Mile High with a 20-16 defeat behind Kent Graham.

The other time a Giant team ruined a perfect run was more memorable. Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the Patriots rolled into Super Bowl.

These Patriots were 16-0, having finished the 2007 regular season by downing the Giants.

They were not as fortunate, however, in the rematch. Eli Manning found David Tyree, who made a miraculous catch with the help of his helmet and Plaxico Burress caught the game-winning touchdown pass with less than a minute left as the Giants ended the Patriots' dream of joining the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only team to finish a season with a perfect mark.

Sunday, the Giants get a chance to play spoiler for the third time.

Here's a look at some highlights from the previous games that marred bids for perfect seasons.

1985 Dolphins 38, Bears 24

1998 Giants 20, Broncos 16