Who has the best shot at claiming the Wild Card spots in the AFC?
Unless Buffalo has a massive fallout they should have the 5th seed. Buffalo is 8-3 playing top tier defense being 3rd in both yards allowed and points per game and their 2nd year QB Josh Allen taking a step forward. Although there are issues still to his game mainly protecting the football, Allen has become one of the best redzone QBs in football. This Bills offense doesn’t have that superstar player but they get contributions from everyone to John Brown, to even the ageless wonder Frank Gore who pass Barry Sanders 3rd all-time in rushing yards. They’re a scrappy physical team with a QB who you don’t want to have the ball in his hands on the last drive because he’ll make it happen.
The 2nd spot is tricky because it’s being currently occupied by the Steelers and I have zero confidence in them. If I had to choose it’ll be one of two teams. Either the Colts because I’m confident that Frank Reich will have this team ready for this final stretch. Although their passing attack leaves a lot to be desired their offensive line with their RB by committee has made them one of the best running attack in football. Or yes I know I slammed Freddie Kitchens but with the schedule, they have the rest of the way after they dug themselves in a 2-6 hole they could potentially win out with their schedule remaining. Mayfield is getting more comfortable and easier play designs to work with and Odell Beckham is finally getting back to show why he’s a top 5 WR in the game. I know it’s a long shot but with the Bengals twice, the Cardinals and the rematch against a banged-up Steelers team they could pull it off but the safe money is the Colts.
Are the Ravens the most complete team in the NFL right now?
It’s either them or the 49ers for that title and we get to see that matchup on Sunday. Lamar Jackson is the toughest draw for any defense to play right now. His progression as a passer and scrambling prowess is second to none is why this Baltimore offense is hard to stop. Mark Ingram has proven to be a dangerous partner in crime and they get contributions from everyone in the passing game from the rookie Hollywood Brown, Willie Snead, Mark Andrews, and others. Although all the focus goes to Lamar Jackson and his MVP campaign the defense is more than holding up their end of the bargain. 11th in yards per game, 3rd best run defense and 5th in points allowed with a unit that has had their fair share of injuries.
Just because I’m sold on the Ravens doesn’t mean the 49ers are any less impressive. They answered all the questions I had for them this offseason which was only Garoppolo’s health and how well will the front seven played and both have been very good. The 49ers have the best defense in football and has made every opposing QB they faced looked mortal men except for the Kyler Murray. They have 4 running backs that can hurt you and with the addition to Emmanuel Sanders had lifted the passing attack more for Garopplo to do more. These two teams are similar in almost every aspect but I will give the edge to Baltimore only because I trust the track record of John Harbaugh than I do Kyle Shannahan and Jackson is the hot hand to ride on.
Who are your offensive and defensive rookie of the year?
Offense? Josh Jacobs. He’s been the catalyst and the reason why the Raiders have a physical identity on offense. Although the award Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones have shown flashes, Jacobs has been the only consistent offensive rookie all season. Averaging 4.8 YPC and in the top 5 for the rushing title, this is the safe and logical pick for this award.
Defense? Nick Bosa with Josh Allen from Jacksonville a close second. Bosa has transformed this 49ers defense into the best in football. He’s tied with Allen with the most sacks for rookies with 8, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and an interception. Bosa has lived up to the draft hype and his impact has helped Arik Armstead DeForest Buckner and Dee Ford. If Bosa showcases another big game and the league’s most dangerous QB Lamar Jackson on Sunday then that will put him some significant distance between himself Josh Allen and Maxx Crosby for the award.
What do the Eagles need to do to run the table?
Get Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson back healthy is the most important part. Last Sunday against the Seahawks that offensive line was in for a long cold and rainy afternoon giving up 5 sacks. That’s the important piece. The next is whether it’s Mike Groh or Doug Pederson calling the plays, they need to establish the running game again and take the pressure off of Carson Wentz having to throw 35-40 times to a receiving core where no one has confidence in. Those are the only two main factors. If that happens everything else should fall in place. The Eagles only play one more winning team on their schedule and that’s Dallas in week 16. The rest is 4 teams that all have a combined 6 wins between each other( Giants twice, Washington and Miami). Getting their offensive line healthy and getting their running game going again has been the blueprint on all the Eagles wins so far this season. They do that with the way the Eagles defense has been playing, they can still be a playoff team. However, this coaching staff needs to adjust and help their franchise QB get his confidence back because, by the looks of it, Wentz’s confidence is shattered.
Will Jalen Hurts to be a first-round pick?
I’m not sold that will be the case, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he did. With the current climate of the NFL now that dual-threat QBs are taking over the league someone could shock the world and take the Heisman candidate. Teams now are allowing their dual-threat QBs to maximize their full capabilities to run and are designing their offense to cater to their strengths. We’re seeing it now with Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott, Josh Allen and even rookie Kyler Murray. All are dual threats and are being used to showcase their potential I can see a team like Miami or Oakland who have multiple 1st rounders using one of those extra 1st to take a chance at him. He has a good frame and an NFL caliber arm. Sitting behind a vet like a Ryan Fitzpatrick or even a Jacoby Brissett could do wonders and we could see him make an impact and be another Lincoln Riley guy who finds his way in the league. The NFL is a copycat league and the success of Lamar could sway other GMs to look Hurts’ way when they wouldn’t have before.
