Possible Super Bowl matchup hilites NFL sked … The NFL schedule makers usually can only dream about these kinds of matchups, but the league has a real good one in tonight’s Sunday nighter on NBC when Philadelphia hosts Miami in a game between a pair of legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Dolphins-Eagles clash also features something of a dramatic undertone as both QBs – Philly’s Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa of Miami – played together in college at Alabama before Hurts ultimately transferred to Oklahoma when Tua was named the starter for the Tide.
On the other hand, there are no games this weekend between teams currently sitting on early picks in the selection order for the 2024 draft. In fact, there are no games at all involving Carolina, the NFL’s last remaining winless team, as the Panthers on their bye this week. That means that Chicago, which acquired the Panthers pick in a 2023 draft trade, will still have the #1 pick for the upcoming draft, at least for another week, once the dust settles on this week’s schedule. The Bears, who also would have the second overall pick were the draft held last week courtesy of their 1-5 record and a weak SOS number, are home to 3-3 Las Vegas in what would be considered at least a possibly winnable game as Raiders’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo is out with a back injury. However, Justin Fields, the Bears’ QB, is also out and he’ll be replaced by Tyson Bagent, an undrafted rookie who will be making his first start. It is possible, though, that the Raiders will also be starting a rookie at QB in Aiden O’Connell, a 4th round pick this past April, although Las Vegas does have a veteran option there in Brian Hoyer. Bottom line is that almost anything could happen in that game. Meanwhile, Denver, which currently has the #3 pick, is home to 2-3 Green Bay, #4 Arizona is at Seattle, the Giants at #5 are home to Washington and #6 New England is home to Buffalo. As usual, the full, updated weekly selection order will be posted after tomorrow’s Monday night game.
