By Michael Stewart/@Golferbad
Introduction: With the 2019 NFL season winding down with 3 games remaining. We continue the Race for Chase countdown to see which team will end up with the 2nd overall pick and the opportunity to select defensive end Chase Young out of Ohio State. Young has had a dominating season with the Buckeyes with 16.5 sacks, 21.0 tackles for losses and seven forced fumbles in just 11 games. The Cincinnati Bengals currently hold a one lead for the 1st overall pick; which could possibly be LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Below is the list of teams that could wind up finishing at #2 if everything goes their way. Let’s look at each team, their strength of schedule and their remaining games.
- 1. New York Giants
Record: 2-11
Strength of Schedule: .462
Remaining Games: Dolphins, Redskins and the Eagles.
Comment: The Giants remain in the #2 spot with their loss (23-17 in overtime against the Eagles) and ninth straight defeat.
2. Washington Redskins
Record: 3-10
Strength of Schedule: .483
Remaining Games: Eagles, Giants and the Cowboys.
Comment: The Redskins hold the #3rd spot currently with their tough lost to the Green Bay Packers 20-15.
3. Miami Dolphins
Record: 3-10
Strength of Schedule: .490
Remaining Games: Giants, Bengals and Patriots.
Comment The Dolphins sit at #4 spot with their loss to the Jets 22-21 and take on the Giants next Sunday.
4. Detroit Lions
Record: 3-9-1
Strength of Schedule: .498
Remaining Games: Buccaneers, Broncos and Packers.
Comment The Lions continues their down spiral with their lost to the Vikings 20-7 and now sit in the 5th spot.
5. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 3-9-1
Strength of Schedule: .550
Remaining Games: Browns, Seahawks and Rams.
Comment The Cardinals loss a tough one against the Steelers 23-17 and are now in the 6th slot.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 4-9
Strength of Schedule: .481
Remaining Games: Raiders, Falcons and Colts.
Comment (4-9): The Jaguars have entered the sweepstakes with their recent loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (45-10) and currently hold the 7th slot. However; one more win will eliminate them from the race for Chase.
7. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 4-9
Strength of Schedule: .555
Remaining Games: 49ers, Jaguars and the Buccaneers.
Comment: The Falcons tumbled to the #8 spot this week with a convincing win against the Carolina Panthers 40-20. Similar to the Jaguars, another win will eliminate them from the race for Chase.
Final Thoughts: The Race for Chase is going to get more and more intense with each passing week. Also, with each week, teams will be eliminating themselves from the race for Chase with unexpected wins. It’s highly unlikely that the two teams that finish with the 1st and 2nd pick in the draft would consider trading back, so unless the Bengals shock the world and select Chase Young 1st overall; expect to see Joe Burrow and then Chase Young names being called to the podium on draft night.