They're Coming Down the Stretch! It's Ravens ,Titans Neck-N-Neck With Chargers Bringing Up the Rear!

Somehow this is the last week in the NFL regular season. And due to flex scheduling it's an understatement how bad the 1PM games are. Unless you're into a nose diving 2-13 Giants team taking on a royal cluster f*&% of a Redskins team. Pass. So, for those teams that are down and out of the playoffs lets take a look at the (possible) top 5 2018 NFL draft picks.

1. Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC- Josh Rosen of UCLA already "Eli Manning'ed" himself out of this death trap. Sorry Sam, we hardly knew ya. 

2. Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA- Time to draft for the future. Manning has 2-3 seasons left and this draft is stocked with future franchise talent. 

3. Colts: Conner Williams, OT, Texas- To keep this franchise relevant they need to keep Andrew Luck healthy. Williams would be a solid cornerstone for Luck's blindside. 

4. Browns (from Texans): Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame- Time to start building that offense ground up. McGlinchey is stout 6'7" and a physical run blocker, perfect for the AFC North. 

5. Buccaneers: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State- This pick may pivot to Bama's Minkah Fitzpatrick if Brent Grimes retires OR if Tampa switches to a 3-4 (rumor mill.) But, if there's one thing Tampa needs, it's pass rush.


Panthers (11-4) at Falcons [-3.5] (9-6) 4:25pm FOX- This is a bit of an odd ball. The Panthers are already in the playoffs and the Falcons need to win to get in. The Panthers also would like the Buccaneers to knock off the Saints to help secure the NFC South and the 2nd overall seed (with other help as well.) But, if the Falcons lose and the Seahawks lose the Falcons own that tiebreaker. AND, if the Bucs are losing to the Saints do you pull your starters to avoid injury and let your NFC South rival into the playoffs?! There are a lot of things about these playoffs I don't understand, things I couldn't understand, things I shouldn't understand:

Either way, if both teams come out firing (as I hope they do) I will look to the Falcons air-attack against a Panthers secondary that let Jameis Winston throw for 367yds and 1TD. And the Bucs were playing without OJ Howard and DeSean Jackson! But, if head coach Ron Rivera wants to play it safe it will be a Falcons win regardless. 

Panthers-17 Falcons- 24



Jaguars (10-5) at Titans [-1.5] (8-7) 4:25pm CBS- Holy f*&^ here is the AFC playoff picture:
(NFL Research Compartment) 
That means (in short) Titans and Ravens win and they are in. If they lose then it opens up all sorts of scenarios for the Chargers and Bills. The Jaguars really have nothing to gain as the Patriots and Steelers already clinched the first round byes. But, the Jags aren't going to go out quietly (as the Steelers are, resting Big Ben today.) I think it all falls on QB Marcus Mariota facing the best defense in the NFL. If he can play poised and not throw interceptions like candy at a parade then they have a chance to win. Also, rumor has it, that head coach Mike Mularkey's job is on the line today... 

Jaguars- 13 Titans- 20



Cardinals- (7-8) at Seahawks [-9] (9-6) 4:25pm FOX- Seahawks win and they are in. Period. But, there are a lot of things that are important in this game. One, there is a rumor that Cards head coach, Bruce Arians, will step away from coaching after today regardless of the outcome. Two, there is a good chance this will be the last time we ever see Carson Palmer on a field as a player. He was a favorite of mine since he was drafted by Cincy in 2003. It's too bad that injuries plagued his career. Three, this could be Larry Fitzgerald's third season were he ended at #1 in most receptions in a season! Fourth, Fitzgerald's teammate, Chandler Jones, could end at #1 in most sacks this year (currently has 15.) Those are some impressive individual performances. Then there are the Seahawks who are crawling at the post-season. If they get in I would imagine they would be the old one-and-done. The offense is practically just Russell Wilson improvising every snap and the defense is light years away from the "Legion of Boom." This game will be fun because it's a match up of two old-school field generals in Arians and Pete Carroll. They are two head coaches that won't back down and play for pride (and to beat the s&^% out of the other team.) 

Cardinals- 20 Seahawks- 24  


Aaaand that's the waaayyyyy the news goes!           
Location: Lake Norman, North Carolina, USA

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