NFL Picks - Week 2

Sunday Morning

Carolina @ Atlanta

Looks like I’ve picked up right where I left off. One week in and I’ve got a perfect record, just like last season. Hey, what are you doing? Don’t go back and check my picks, that’s not necessary ... why are you like this?!? I just wish we could trust each other again. That’s probably the same sentiment in the Falcons’ locker room after they began their 2018 season in almost the same exact fashion that their 2017 season ended, with repeated failed attempts to score the game-winning touchdown from 1st & Goal in Philadelphia. That’s a total of 9 attempts over those two games with 0 points. In last week’s game the Falcons had five trips inside the Philly 20 and only came away with 10 points. Clearly Atlanta has a broken red zone. That sounds hemorrhoidal, and for Falcons fans I’m sure it’s been precisely that painful. There’s so much pressure tied up in this situation that something is going to burst. Either with a torrent of points, or a catastrophic failure that results in Matt Ryan not being able to sit down without a donut. I’m guessing they’ll come through at home. 

Falcons 27-24 

Los Angeles Chargers @ Buffalo

Last week in this column I wondered, in all sincerity, who would finish Week 1 at quarterback for the Bills. As it turned out, it was not Nathan Peterman, who started the game and went 5-18 for 24 yards and 2 interceptions. It’s hard to get much worse than that. In fact, according to the quarterback rating calculations, you can't get worse than that, his rating for the game was a 0.0. Buffalo ended up losing the game 47-3. I don’t blame Peterman though, it’s not like he made the decision to start him. What’s he supposed to do, tell the coaches and front office that he’s not good enough to play? That’s just not realistic; we’re not living in a Sportsmanship, pass it on PSA. The Bills have been left with no choice but to start rookie Josh Allen at this point, though I would argue that they didn’t have a choice to begin with, yet still managed to make the incorrect one. Even with a new QB they probably won’t get a win ... perhaps this whole season. 

Chargers 30-13

  

Minnesota @ Green Bay

Aaron Rodgers wowed fans across the nation last Sunday night when he  returned to the field post-leg amputation, and still bleeding from multiple open and stab wounds. I didn’t see the game, but that’s what I’ve come to understand of the situation after hearing the postgame analysis and reading the internet. The Packers were lost without Rodgers when he was out in Week 1, and they won’t stand a chance against the Vikings if he doesn’t play this week. But, if Rodgers can somehow find the courage and strength to make it to the field Sunday the Packers have a shot. Who am I kidding, of course he’ll find the courage! He’s Aaron Rodgers, one of the most determined, intrepid athletes, nay, men in the world today. This man will limp his way through the game even if he doesn’t need to! He’s a hero damn it! That being said, I’m taking Minnesota.

Vikings 23-20 

Houston @ Tennessee 

Last week Bill O’Brien displayed maddeningly inconsistent strategy in regards to his 4th down playcalling against the Patriots. With 10 minutes to go and his team down 21-6 O’Brien went for it on 4th & 5 from the New England 17. It was an aggressive call, but probably the right one. It was also a call that makes this next one a bit of a head-scratcher. On 4th & 8 from his own 36, with 4:30 to play and his team down 27-13, O’Brien decided to punt. Obviously the field position isn’t optimal there, but with that much time left wouldn’t it make sense for the coach to stay aggressive and try to keep possession? It’s as if earlier in the game O’Brien thought, “This is how the Eagles beat these guys. We’re going for it!” But later in the game said, “That shit didn’t work. We’re punting.” As it turned out, the Patriots muffed that late punt leading to a Texans touchdown, but that’s not the point. The point is, I’m not sure Bill O’Brien knows exactly what he’s doing out there, and that makes Houston games even more entertaining than they already would have been. 

Texans 31-24 

Cleveland @ New Orleans

The bar was set so low for the Cleveland Browns that after their tie last Sunday they have officially clinched a better record than they had last season. Imagine that, coach Hue Jackson can already claim that this season is an improvement. Sure they still haven’t actually won a game, but you gotta crawl before you can walk. And then sometimes you get so excited that you're finally crawling that you try to go too fast and fall right back on your face. That’s most likely how it will go for the Browns this week. But they shouldn’t feel too bad, that happens to a lot of people in New Orleans. Normally it’s not in the middle of the SuperDome but on a curb in the French Quarter after a weekend you can recall very little of but you know on a deep, visceral level that it’s changed you forever ... Going against what promises to be an angry Saints team look for Cleveland to fall before they can once again crawl.

Saints 29-16 

Miami @ New York Jets

Sure the Jets turned some heads on Monday night, putting up 48 points and scoring in all three phases of the game, but I’d argue that the Dolphins’ Week 1 win was even more impressive. They outlasted the Titans in a 7 hour marathon! Miami can now lay claim to a win in the the longest game in NFL history. Sure the length was due to multiple, hours-long weather delays, but if we’re going to start focusing on technicalities and “facts” we’re not gonna have a whole lot of fun here folks. At this point I’m guessing you thought, “This is supposed to be fun?” To which I’d say, you’re still reading it ain’t ya jocko?!? Now at this point I’m furiously refreshing to verify that somebody has visited this page. It would make sense to side with New York after their breakout win last week, but methinks these Jets may be flying a bit too high. I’ll take Miami. And now ... REFRESH!

Dolphins 24-22 

Kansas City @ Pittsburgh 

Get ready for some points baby! Will this game be high scoring? All signs point to yes! Don’t bring your balloons up in here, there are going to be too many points! There are gonna be more points made than a debate tournament. We’re talking more points than a Sheraton hotel chain (I now realize that would only require the teams to combine for a total of 5 points, so maybe that one’s not as appropriate). The Chiefs’ offense looked electric last Sunday, and we all know how prolific the Steelers can be, especially at home. Meanwhile, both defenses struggled in Week 1. Factor all of that in, and this game figures to have more points than a bed of nails ... extra pointy nails!

Chiefs 38-35  

 

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay

I have more faith in Ryan Fitzpatrick than most people, but even I was stunned by the numbers he put up in Tampa’s Week 1 win in New Orleans. Over 400 yards passing, 4 TDs through the air and another one on the ground. As I type this Ryan Fitzpatrick is the 2018 NFL MVP. Of course, most sportswriters wait until the end of the regular season to send in their MVP vote, but not me baby! That vote was immediately sent back to me with a note from the league claiming to not know who I am. Well clearly you know my e-mail address, and my name’s right in there, so I guess you do know who I am. Haha! Now who’s the idiot? You? Or me, the guy who mailed in an unsolicited MVP vote for Ryan Fitzpatrick after the first week? You can e-mail me your response. 

Eagles 20-16 

Indianapolis @ Washington

I’ll be honest, I didn’t get to see either of these teams play last week. I mean, the Sport Clips I watch games at only has so many TVs. From what I can tell though Andrew Luck looked decent in a home loss, and Washington was very solid in a road win. After processing that detailed, nuanced information it seems like Washington is the reasonable pick. And I’m nothing if not a reasonable guy who likes to chill, watch football, and chop it up with the boyz at Sport Clips for 6 hours every Sunday; haircut optional.

Washington 26-21 

Sunday Afternoon

Arizona @ Los Angeles Rams 

The Cardinals only managed 6 points in a home loss to Washington last week. The good news is that I’m not sure many people even realized that that game took place. The bad news is at least one person in the league office found out, because if you take a look at the official standings, Arizona is, in fact, listed at 0-1. If that first game is any indication, the Cardinals may prefer to not be noticed for the rest of the season. Sam Bradford amassed 153 yards on 34 attempts, a stat line that is more commonly referred to as a “Bradford” by league insiders. Much like the Peterman situation in Buffalo though, I don’t blame Sam Bradford. If teams are willing to give him 10s of millions of dollars to be mediocre or worse of course he’s going to accept. Hell, the league commissioner does the same thing. Ooh that’s right, I burned ya Goodell. Come at me bro! (He probably reads this, don’t you think?) Bradford and Arizona’s assignment figures to be more difficult this week, so expect another double-digit loss from the Cards and a single-digit yards per completion average from their QB.

Rams 34-9 

Detroit @ San Francisco

Hearts were broken across the nation last Sunday when Jimmy G lost his first game as a starter. The homeostasis we were living in was more delicate than we ever realized. Now as a people we must rebuild. Looking on the bright side, it was a tough match-up for the Niners at Minnesota in Week 1, so they can be forgiven for taking the L. The Lions, on the other hand, deserve our scorn and ridicule after an embarrassing 48-17 home loss to the Jets. If I simply compare those results San Francisco looks like the clear choice. But if I factor in the ... no, I got nothing else. 

49ers 27-20 

Oakland @ Denver 

Reportedly, one of the main reasons the Raiders didn’t make an attempt to give Khalil Mack a contract extension was that they didn’t want a giant chunk of their payroll tied up in two huge contracts. With Derek Carr being their other player under a mega deal, that means they basically chose Carr over Mack. After one week it appears obvious that that was a mistake. Carr was serviceable for stretches in Oakland's Week 1 loss, but threw 3 picks, while the Raiders' D struggled to generate a pass rush. But hey, enough about the Mack trade, it’s time to move on, regardless of how severely it will haunt Oakland for years to come. Look for the Broncos to get the win here, because ya know, they held on to their perennial all-pro pass rusher. 

Broncos 26-19 

Jacksonville @ New England

In a conference call with reporters on Wednesday Jags coach Doug Marrone revealed that he didn’t watch last year’s Super Bowl, and in fact, he hasn’t watched any Super Bowl for the past 30 years or so, due to the frustration he’s felt from not reaching the big game, be it as a player or coach. I suppose I can see where he’s coming from, but can you imagine what his reaction will be if he does get to the Super Bowl after not having seen one since the 80s? Does he know about Media Day? Or about all the pregame hoopla? Is he going to bring his team back out of the locker room after 15 minutes of halftime and say, “Why the hell is there a concert on the field? Whoa is that Lady Gaga?!?” Jacksonville has a shot at making it this season; if I were him I’d check out a couple of replays on the NFL Network to get acclimated just in case. Obviously the tension will be high on Sunday in this AFC title game rematch, and I expect the Jags to have vengeance on their minds. Will it drive them or blind them? Hard to say. Hopefully it doesn’t blindly drive them, that would be dangerous. 

Jaguars 22-20

Sunday Night 

New York Giants @ Dallas

Both teams come in to this match-up at 0-1 and desperate for a win to calm their fanbase. The best way I know to calm any fanbase is to listen to Cris Collinsworth speak, so here ya go:

Be well Cris.

Giants 23-17

Monday Night

Seattle @ Chicago

It’s week 2 of the Brandon Marshall Revenge Tour. Last week, against his former team the Broncos, he had a touchdown catch in a loss; so perhaps this week he’ll have a loss in a touchdown catch. No, that doesn’t work. Anyway, since the Seahawks don’t play the Dolphins, Jets, or Giants (jeez this guy’s played on a lot of teams, maybe that’s not a good sign ...) Marshall will have to unleash all of his remaining vengeance on Chicago this Monday. And Seattle will need him to with Doug Baldwin missing from what was a thin receiving corps to begin with. However, we now know that they have the ultimate weapon in blocking tight end and 100 yard receiver Will Dissly, so that should help. But back to Marshall; they say when setting out on a mission of revenge, dig two graves. Hopefully Marshall doesn’t take that literally, because that would just be a waste of energy, and he’d probably incur some sort of penalty for defacing the field. But if he strictly focuses on football (and catches like 3 touchdowns) Seattle should get the win.

Seahawks 24-19 

 

NFL Picks - Week 2 Thursday

Baltimore @ Cincinnati

The Ravens come into this Thursday night game riding a tidal wave of momentum after a 47-3 Week 1 win over the Bills. However, that 44 point margin is a bit of a misnomer. First of all, the game was in Baltimore, and oddsmakers will tell you that a homefield advantage is generally worth about 3 points. Secondly, Buffalo was starting Nathan Peterman at quarterback, which oddsmakers will tell you is generally worth about 30 points. So when you take away their inherit advantages, the Ravens really only won that game by 11 points. That’s still a solid opening effort. In fact, it was the same margin of victory for the Bengals in their win over the Colts in Indianapolis. Clearly that puts these teams on equal footing. Since this game is being played in Cincinnati, and neither team is starting Nathan Peterman at quarterback, it stands to reason that the Bengals will win by 3.

Bengals 23-20

NFL Picks - Week 1

Sunday Morning

Pittsburgh @ Cleveland 

Bud Light has positioned 10 “Victory Fridges” in Cleveland bars that will be unlocked immediately after the Browns win their first game of the season, providing free beer for any fan on the premises. I think this is such an ingenious promotion that I’m planning something similar for myself. I’m going to start drinking beer at the beginning of this game and continue to do so each Sunday until the season ends. Also it won’t be free. So it’s not exactly the same thing, but just as creative if you ask me. I actually think the Victory Fridges will be opened this Sunday; not because the Browns are going to win, but because surly Clevelanders will grow impatient and break into each and every one of them.

Steelers 23-16 

Cincinnati @ Indianapolis

Finally we get to see the Bengals and the Colts tangle for the first time in ... 10 days? Bafflingly these two teams closed the preseason against each other on August 30th and here they are facing each other again in Week 1. Who’s idea was that? This is the NFL, it’s not some Rec league where you have to play the same opponent twice because there aren’t enough teams. I get that they’re close geographically, and that’s a factor for preseason games, but I feel like nobody even checked the schedule before this happened. The sides probably didn't learn much from each other in that final preseason game, considering most of the starters didn’t play, but come on, somebody tell me the reason! I’m losing it over here, just give me the answer! Anyway, I’ll pick Cincinnati because they obviously have the Colts' number based on that preseason win.

Bengals 20-17 

Tennessee @ Miami 

This was one of the hardest games of the week for me to pick. Not because it’s evenly matched, but because every time I glance at it I just think, “Yuck” and move on. Perhaps not coincidentally Jay Cutler did the same thing in regards to playing football ever again. It was the obvious move with Ryan Tannehill coming back from injury and Cutler’s disdain for competitive sports. Even with an interested human back under center the Dolphins don’t figure to be much of a factor in a weak AFC where a team like the Titans is coming off a trip to the Divisional round. Speaking of Tennessee, they revamped their uniforms in the offseason, and the results are ... pretty much the inverse of their old ones. It’s a decent effort, but ultimately pretty boring, so basically the epitome of the Titans.

Titans 22-19 

San Francisco @ Minnesota

Much has been made of Jimmy Garappolo being undefeated as a starter, but what about the fact that he won 2 Super Bowls as a backup? Is it me, or does it make more sense for the 49ers to bench him? That seems like the true path to a title. Many think the Vikings’ path may have been cleared by the signing of Kirk Cousins, a man who has gone 26-30-1 as a starter. Is it wrong to be skeptical of Cousins’ elevated status? You could argue that he’s not to blame for that sub .500 record because Washington was pretty lousy when he was there. But isn’t that the point, that they were lousy when he was there? I’m not fully sold on him, and I won’t be until he wins multiple MVPs and Super Bowls. Sorry, just being fair. I will pick him to win this week though. 

Vikings 27-17 

Houston @ New England 

In his first five seasons JJ Watt played in all 80 of his team’s games. In the last two seasons he’s played in just 8 of their 32. At a glance it would seem that he’s simply become injury prone. However, I think it’s possible that he’s outgrowing his own body in some sort of prolonged shedding process. As a result it’s much harder for him to play football. So is his man molt complete? Only time will tell. But he’s healthy for now, which means he should be a factor on Sunday. Also figuring to be a factor is Houston’s 2nd year quarterback DeShaun Watson, who is returning from an ACL tear and lit up the Patriots in a Week 3 matchup last season. Can he do it again? Sure, why not. UPSET!

Texans 30-28 

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans

Jamies Winston has been suspended for the first 3 games of the season for being a scumbag. That could be considered a heavy blow to the Bucs except for the fact that they were much better at winning games when Ryan Fitzpatrick was their starting quarterback last year. It’s also not that impactful because Tampa was and is going to suck regardless. So there’s a bone for ya Bucs fans, cheer up! Just kidding, nobody in Tampa reads this blog; most of the internet, isn’t available in Florida. 

Saints 34-13

Jacksonville @ New York Giants

This offseason Eli Manning was among the many players criticized by Jags corner back Jalen Ramsey in a GQ interview. Ramsey said Manning’s success is due to playing with Odell Beckham, Jr., a player who was not on the Giants  roster either time they won the Super Bowl. So maybe Ramsey isn’t a bona fide NFL historian, but he doesn’t have to be, that’s not his job. At least not that I’m aware of. Is there a chance he does some freelance work as an NFL Films archivist to earn some extra cash? Sure. I can't rule that out. I’m just saying I personally have not heard that that’s the case. Jacksonville nearly made history last season by reaching their first Super Bowl, while the Giants made history of their own by being the worst team in franchise history (still waiting on a verification of that stat from Jalen Ramsey). Look for the Jags to springboard off their surprising performance last season and come out with some swagger in an opening win. Or they’ll completely implode because they’re the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jaguars 19-13 

Buffalo @ Baltimore 

The Bills have named Nathan Peterman their starting quarterback for this game. They have yet to announce who will finish the game. I’m not saying Peterman will definitely get yanked, but based on his previous starts (like the one against the Chargers in which he threw 5 first half interceptions) there’s a strong possibility we’ll see rookie Josh Allen make his debut at some point. The Ravens should get the win here, because they’re the team involved in this game that isn't starting Nathan Peterman.

Ravens 27-9 

Sunday Afternoon

Kansas City @ Los Angeles Chargers

There’s a lot of buzz around these chargers. I think maybe it’s because they’re not plugged in all the way, one second ... Yep that was it, the buzz is gone. The LA Chargers have a fair bit of buzz around them too. Hey where are you going? What do you mean? That wasn’t that bad. Definitely not my worst. Look, if that was too much for you maybe we should just part ways now. Ok fine, see ya later. Alright, where were we? Or “where was I” I should say, ha. Because it’s just me now, I’m all alone here. So why am I still writing? If no one is here to read this do I still exist? Hello?!? HELLO?!!!!!!? I’m trapped in a purgatory of my own creation! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! 

Chargers 27-23 

Seattle @ Denver

Moving on ... It hasn’t even been five years since these teams met in Super Bowl XLVIII, and yet only 8 players that were active for that game will play this Sunday. That number would have been much higher had the Seahawks not gone through a roster overhaul this offseason. Trades, cuts, and career-ending injuries have made the Seattle defense almost unrecognizable. It’s as if they’re collectively wearing a giant pair of Groucho glasses. In what amounted to a removal of the mustache, Earl Thomas returned to the squad this week after a contract standoff. While some would argue that his frustration will be a detriment to the team, I would contend that this actually makes them unbeatable. Yahoo!

Seahawks 20-16 

Washington @ Arizona

The main question surrounding Washington after the Alex Smith trade has to be, who will they draft next year to eventually replace him? Smith is a decent enough quarterback, and can occasionally be very good, but it always seems like he’s just there until his team can find the guy they really want to be their franchise QB. In short, he’s the offended girlfriend in that wandering eye boyfriend meme. In my season preview I, perhaps facetiously, suggested that the Cardinals will go 0-16 this year, but this has to be their best chance to win a game considering it’s the only time that their roster will be remotely healthy. The Arizona brass looked at their injury-prone squad in the offseason and decided to add Sam Bradford as the new starting quarterback. I mean, it’s on brand, but yikes. If Bradford is still on the field in Week 8 I’m guessing it will be because he’s been laying there in a heap for a month and they haven’t been able to drag him off yet. Don’t worry though, they’ll put up some cones and caution tape so that no one steps on him.

Washington 16-13 

Dallas @ Carolina

The Panthers are coming off an 11 win playoff season which means they’re doomed in 2018. Why? Consider their records under Ron Rivera:

2011: 6-10

2012: 7-9

2013: 12-4

2014: 7-8-1

2015: 15-1

2016: 6-10

2017: 11-5 

Based on what I see hear a losing season is inevitable. Every time they post double-digit wins they immediately fall back to earth. Ron Rivera must learn from history or else he’s doomed to repeat it ... again. After some quick research, it turns out that Rivera is a major Civil War buff. In other words he’s demonstrated that he can learn from history. Carolina is gonna be fine!

Panthers 26-17

Sunday Night 

Chicago @ Green Bay

It's the first Sunday Night Football game of the season, so you know what that means, it's time to hear from the man who will be in the booth to call it; ol' CriColl himself, Cris Collinsworth:

You're untouchable as far as I'm concerned CC. 

Packers 24-15

Monday Night

New York Jets @ Detroit

It’s the first Monday night game of the season and we’re kicking it off with ... Jets versus Lions. Huh? What happened, did Titans/Dolphins turn it down? I suppose Sam Darnold’s debut will lend some cachet to this contest, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving them my cash, eh. I wouldn’t have to regardless, because this game is being televised on ESPN, not pay-per-view, but you get what I’m saying, right? You get that I thought, “Cachet kind of sounds like a Canadian taking about money. Welp, too good not to use it.”

Lions 22-16 

Los Angeles Rams @ Oakland

Jon Gruden hasn’t even coached a game (again) yet for the Raiders, but he’s already making waves. Actually, maybe they’re more like ripples or bubbles, because this is reminiscent of someone farting in a pool. 9 days prior to his team’s opening game of the season, Gruden jettisoned their best player and delivered a rousing message to players and fans alike that this team is not ready to win now. That’s a stark contrast to the attitude in LA, where the Rams have bolstered their already impressive roster by adding multiple pro bowlers. Names like Marcus Peters (previously kicked off his college team and suspended a game by his own team in the NFL), Aqib Talib (previously suspended by the league for snatching a chain), and Ndamukong Suh (previously suspended by the league for stomping on people). There are sure to be no negative repercussions when adding three locker room anti-toxins (the opposite of cancers) such as them. Actually this is a disaster waiting to happen; but the Raiders are a disaster that’s already occurred, so I’ll pick LA.

Rams 31-10 

NFL Picks - Week 1 Thursday

Atlanta @ Philadelphia

Last season the Eagles won the Super Bowl (double-checking ... yes that’s correct) thanks in no small part to coach Doug Pederson’s aggressive play calling. Said aggression was on full display in the Super Bowl itself when two pivotal 4th down conversions proved to be major turning points in the game. So what can Pederson do for an encore? Press the pedal even more squarely to the metal. Keep going for it on 4th down, but if you get stopped just keep the offense on the field. Have your center line up opposite the other center and try to wrestle the ball away so that you can snap it first. What are the refs going to do about? There’s nothing in the rule book that says you can’t. Ok, just checked the rule book and sure enough you can’t do that. It says so right there on the first page. Whoops! Alright, well how about this, go the other way, start punting on 3rd down. Catch the opposition off guard and see how they respond. Most likely with gratitude, but you don’t know unless you try. I picked against the Eagles in every playoff game and they won the Super Bowl. I haven’t learned my lesson yet, and I refuse to in the future.

Falcons 24-21

2018 NFL Preview

It’s time for another NFL season, football ain’t canceled yet baby! Though I was kind of assuming it would be, which is why I didn’t keep up on any league news this offseason. As such I’ve been cramming for the last 24 hours to try to get up to speed. Apparently all these players hate America now and it’s illegal to hit people? What gives? I watch football for two reasons, patriotism and concussions. And now the liberal wimps are trying to take both away from me. Nuts to that! Due to the staggering success of this column I’m obligated to still tune in every week, but rest assured I'll be doing it begrudgingly as hell. 

Since the NFL has become a parody of itself it seems appropriate to discuss parity itself. We hear about the increased parity in the league so often that we’ve become sort of numb to the topic, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a false phenomenon. In fact, it’s even more prevalent than I initially thought. Here’s a telling stat, in each of the last 10 seasons the league, as a whole, has gone exactly .500. Unbelievable! If that’s not parity, I don’t know what is. When you unearth a stat like that you can’t ignore it, and I don’t intend to. With that in mind, here are my final win/loss predictions for every team:

AFC East

New England     8-8

New York Jets    8-8

Miami                 8-8

Buffalo               8-8

AFC North

Pittsburgh      8-8

Baltimore       8-8  

Cleveland      8-8

Cincinnati      8-8

AFC South

Jacksonville  8-8

Houston        8-8

Tennessee    8-8

Indianapolis  8-8

AFC West

Los Angeles Chargers  8-8

Kansas City                  8-8

Denver                          8-8

Oakland                        8-8

NFC East

Philadelphia          8-8 

New York Giants   8-8

Dallas                    8-8

Washington           8-8

NFC North

Minnesota    8-8

Green Bay   8-8

Chicago       8-8

Detroit          8-8

NFC South

Atlanta            8-8

New Orleans  8-8

Carolina         8-8

Tampa Bay     8-8

NFC West

Seattle                    16-0

Los Angeles Rams  8-8

San Francisco         8-8

Arizona                   0-16

AFC Playoffs

Wild Card

#3 Chargers over #6 Chiefs

#5 Texans over #4 Steelers

Divisional 

#5 Texans over #1 Patriots

#2 Jaguars over #3 Chargers

Championship

#2 Jaguars over #5 Texans

NFC Playoffs

Wild Card

#3 Eagles over #6 Saints

#4 Vikings over #5 Packers

Divisional

#1 Seahawks over #4 Vikings

#2 Falcons over #3 Eagles

Championship 

#1 Seahawks over #2 Falcons

Super Bowl LIII

Seahawks over Jaguars