Only once has a team completed an NFL season unbeaten and the Colts (7-0) or Patriots (8-0) have the opportunity to join the 1972 Miami Dolphins in the record books with a victory at the Indianapolis RCA Dome.

The game has received a Super Bowl type build-up and possesses all the ingredients of a classic which could allow the contest to live up to the immense hype.

"You can't make it like it's the Super Bowl," Colts coach Tony Dungy said during a teleconference.

"You have to get up, you have to know the urgency of it and how well you're going to have to play to win a big game like this, but still it's a regular season game and you've got to keep it in perspective."

For the first time in the NFL's 88-year history two undefeated teams with seven or more wins will face each other, adding another intriguing element to one of professional football's most intense rivalries.

The central figures will be the men at the controls of the offences, the Colts' Peyton Manning and Tom Brady of the Patriots, two quarterbacks with trophy cases full of MVP awards, Pro Bowl honors and championship rings.

With 30 touchdown passes in eight games, Brady is threatening to rewrite the record books, including Manning's single season mark of 49.

The Patriots have displayed ruthlessness with all eight victories coming by 17 points or more, including a 52-7 demolition of the Washington Redskins last Sunday.

Brady has thrown at least three touchdowns in each of those contests, 11 of them to Randy Moss, who leads the league in receiving with 779 yards.

Donte' Stallworth, speedster Wes Welker and linebacker Mike Vrabel, who doubles as a receiver with all 10 career catches resulting in touchdowns, are other weapons in the Patriots' top-ranked pass offence.

OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS

Often overlooked amid the offensive fireworks is a gritty New England defense that has that has only twice given up more than 17 points in a game.

While the Colts have not been as spectacular, their record is no less impressive.

Indianapolis goes into Sunday's contest riding a 12-game unbeaten run and have gone 13 home games in a row without a loss.

Indianapolis has also won their last three games against the Patriots, including a comeback victory in last year's American Football Conference final that sent them through to the Super Bowl.

Manning has thrown 13 touchdown passes this season, the Colts relying on a more balanced attack with running backs Joseph Addai and Kenton Keith combining for 10 touchdowns.

"They're a great football team but I think we've proven over the last eight weeks that we can play at a pretty high level ourselves," said Brady. "It's two undefeated teams and, obviously with the history with these teams, it makes for a great matchup.

"I think you look back on games always throughout your career and you look at the ones that probably stand out and any time you play the Colts it's always an exciting game...when you're playing them you're playing the best."