The NFL races have come down to the wire entering the final weekend. That means the playoffs, of course, but also the chase for the No. 1 overall pick — a prize that could impact the fortunes of an organization for years. We know the Redskins’ scenario as they prepare to mount a desperate search for a quarterback this offseason: Lose to Philadelphia and they pick no worse than No. 7 in April. With USC’s Matt Barkley staying in school, the prize quarterback category is reduced to Stanford’s Andrew Luck and maybe Baylor’s Robert Griffin III. But given strength of schedule, No. 4 Cleveland (.516), No. 5 Jacksonville (.529) and No. 6 Tampa Bay (.545) could all slip below Washington in the order with a win in their season finales. Then again, a Redskins win could mean the No. 8 pick.
Indianapolis and St. Louis are tied for the worst record at 2-13. But the Colts play the Jaguars, while the Rams host NFC West champ San Francisco. Both teams have established quarterbacks with question marks in ability (St. Louis’ Sam Bradford) or health (Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning), but either could go in a new direction with Luck or auction the pick in a trade.
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But a “loser” — in this case a team that actually wins — still could pick second ahead of Minnesota. A Vikings win over Chicago, however, might drop them all the way to No. 6 in the draft order. No NFL team will lose on purpose. But a win also could prove disastrous for the Browns, Jaguars and Buccaneers — all of whom can jump to third or fall to eighth. That could be a costly victory.
– Brian McNally
