Teddy Bridgewater Sweepstakes Leaders

So, the Jaguars have gotten off the mat. They still have the rematch with the Texans but the Texans have a tougher schedule at this point.

1. Houston.

Lots of talent but they can't buy a win. Gary Kubiak is probably on the hot seat even though nobody will say it at this point. The health problems play both ways in the equation is my guess. If he goes it will be a Tony Dungy moment with the franchise frustrated at just the moment they thought they were going over the top.

2. Jacksonville.

From 1a to 2 in two weeks. Still have a real shot at the 1 pick and also still have a real shot at Bridgewater on the 2. If they want the 1 pick they have to lose to the Texans in the rematch but late season surges have a way of maintaining themselves past weak opponents.

3. Atlanta.

@Green Bay, Washington, @San Francisco, Carolina. The Panthers will be playing for the division week 17 is my guess and so Newton and company will be on the field.

4. Minnesota.

They won game 3 this week. That's bad but nobody has less than 2 wins so they could still get the pick. That would require the next worst record being 4-12...

5. St. Louis.

They've got the Redskins pick. If the Skins lose to the Falcons they're in the race.

 

It's interesting though. One of the games that has an impact on the race is Washington @ Atlanta in a couple of weeks. If Atlanta wins the game then they're out of the race but St. Louis chances are improved. If Atlanta loses that game then they're very much in the race because the other three games are all against better teams and two of them on the road.

I really think it is going to come down to Houston or Jacksonville at this point but the Jaguars have gone from losing ugly to winning ugly to winning sort of respectably. That's a progression that doesn't get you the #1 pick even when your talent is at rock bottom.

 

The amazing thing about Jacksonville's surge is that they're still playing poorly but winning somehow. They had 281 yards of total offense tonight against Houston but scored 27 points. How often does that happen?

5 weeks ago they scored 29 points on 214 total yards.
4 weeks ago it was 14 points on 242 total yards.
3 weeks ago an offensive explosion of 333 yards led to 13 points.
last week was 314 yards for 32 points.

That's an amazing run of scoring on low yardage totals.

And yes, the Jaguars have won out of the 1 pick which is a great thing for the franchise. They had #1 overall last year. Having it two years in a row is like the kiss of death for a fan base.

 

Yeah, it's still a horrible thing to watch your team pick up high back to back years. It means that the first high pick didn't help you out much.

The Jaguars have picked in the top 10 every year since 2008. They've had 5, 2 and whatever this year turns into as the last 3 in that sequence. That's just crushing for a fan base. It's like the Bills but worse.

 

And they may get Bridgewater on the 4 or 5 anyway.

 

B

There's definitely a franchise QB in this draft but I'll be damned if I can pick him out.

 

Week 13

1. Houston

Texans have a 1 game lead @Indy, Denver, @Tenn and an interim head coach.

2. St. Louis

Rams have the Redskins 1 pick. Redskins @Atl, Dal, @NYG.

3. Atlanta

Falcons have Redskins up next and must lose that game to stay in the race. Also @SF, Carolina.

4. Minnesota

No, the Vikings aren't really in this at 3-9-1 but it's a weird year and they are finding a lot of ways to lose games. They have Philly, @Cin, Detroit.

Notably absent:

Jacksonville still hasn't won a game convincingly but they have 4 wins now and Gus Bradley is a much happier man. I'm guessing they're the team that is going to reach for a QB in the top 10.

Tampa Bay is 4-6 now with Mike Glennon at QB. I'm sure he and they are both happy with the results so far.

 

Week 15 over and it looks like a two team race.

1. Houston.

Texans get the pick with 2 losses vs Broncos, @Titans. They get the pick with a win and a loss and a Redskins win vs Cowboys or @Giants. If both teams finish 3-13 the Rams (Redskins) probably have the 1 pick based on having a lower strength of schedule. Redskins are ahead in that department now and play Cowboys and Giants while the Texans play Broncos and Titans.

2. St. Louis.

See above.

3. Oakland.

Lose out while Texans are winning out and Redskins are splitting or better and hope SoS breaks right for them.

4. Jacksonville.

Ditto.

5. Falcons.

Falcons could get the 1 and 2 picks if they and the Redskins both lose out while the Texans win out and fairies tap dance on the head of a pin.

6. Cleveland.

Browns could go 4-12 and get the Vernon Gholston Memorial pick on the 6. Not likely but the prospect made me shudder a bit just thinking about it and I don't like the Browns at all.

7. Tampa Bay.

Probably eliminated on strength of schedule already but it's a weird year.

 

Edit: don't know what this thing is that I have with the Falcons and the Rams but the two teams keep bouncing back and forth in my head and leading to "wtf?" type comments like the Falcons comment above.

The Falcons lost any shot at a top pick when they beat the Redskins. They handed the Rams a great gift in the process.