The path to a first-round bye in the AFC has a bunch of curves in it.Already in are NFC division winners Dallas (East)
Sam Koch Jersey , New Orleans (South), Chicago (North) and the Los Angeles Rams (West). AFC divisions clinched belong to New England in the East and, well, nobody else. But there are clear leaders .Seattle owns an NFC wild card, and the LA Chargers have one in the AFC, though they can still win the AFC West. "You either believe in something or you don't," says coach Pete Carroll, whose 9-6 Seahawks made the postseason in what was considered a rebuilding year. "I think just staying the course and knowing we're on to something. Believing in the history. We know what we're capable of doing. We've shown it over a lot of years. You're always adapting, but it's staying what you're true to. I think that's what is happening. We look like a team that we have seen before, and that's powerful."Most powerful so far has been New Orleans, with the league's best record at 13-2, and a dynamic offense led by Drew Brees. The Saints have home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.The Rams (12-3) get the other opening-round bye if they beat San Francisco on Sunday. If they lose and the Bears win at Minnesota, Chicago (11-4) earns the week off and Los Angeles drops to the third seed.A Bears win also could keep the Vikings (8-6-1) out of the postseason, providing defending champion Philadelphia (8-7) wins at Washington. Only the Vikings or Eagles can get the second NFC wild card."We've got to empty the bucket, and that's the way we've got to play next week at home," Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph says. "I'm really looking forward to that environment."In the AFC, seeding is more muddled. Any of four teams could be the top or second seed.The simplest route is if Kansas City (11-4) and New England (10-5), currently the top two in the conference, both win Sunday. But if the Chiefs lose at home to Oakland and the Chargers (11-4) win at Denver
Cheap Maxx Williams Jersey , Los Angeles moves into the top spot.Houston (10-5) also could wind up No. 1 in the AFC with losses by the Chiefs, Patriots against the Jets, and Chargers. New England, the only unbeaten team at home this year, would get the first seed with a victory and losses by the Chiefs and Chargers.And get this: Houston doesn't even own a division title. If the Texans fall at home to Jacksonville, the winner of the Colts at Titans game in Tennessee takes the AFC South, and the Texans become a wild card, joining either the Chiefs or Chargers.Texans coach Bill O'Brien, whose club began the season 0-3, is intrigued by the division being so ensconced in the playoff picture this year."I think that's an interesting question because I can remember the question was, two years ago, ‘Why is the AFC South so bad?'" he says. "Now, ‘Why is it so good?'"…I've never thought it was bad. I think every year it's been extremely difficult to win games in the division. I just think there's a lot of great coaches. You've got Frank (Reich) in Indy, Mike (Vrabel) in Tennessee, Doug (Marrone) in Jacksonville. You've got a lot of great players, quarterbacks, so you've got a tough division."The AFC division often looked at as the toughest has been the North, which, not surprisingly
Cheap Marlon Humphrey Jersey , has come down to Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh. Except the Ravens (9-6) host the Browns, while the Steelers (8-6-1) must beat visiting Cincinnati and hope their archenemies from Cleveland sidetrack Baltimore, either beating or tying the Ravens.Neither the Ravens nor the Steelers can be a wild card — except if Pittsburgh ties the Bengals, then Indianapolis and Tennessee also tie. Then the Steelers are in.Of course, Pittsburgh also can win the North with a draw and a loss by Baltimore.Your head spinning yet? Waiver Wire Adds for Week 2RB:Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles ChargersWeek 1 Projection: 6.4 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 23.6 PTS39 Rushing YDS, 5 Receptions, 87 Receiving YDS, 1 Receiving TD, available in 89 % of leaguesDespite losing their season opener to the long ball of Patrick Mahomes, the Chargers offense showed major strides. Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon were terrific as usual, but the injury that knocked Hunter Henry out for 2018 (ACL) opened up some targets for Austin Ekeler, and he delivered. I think this offense can possibly sustain two high-level work horse backs like the Saints did last year. Ekeler is high priority for me this week.Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesT.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 1 Projection: 6.2 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 15.9 PTS51 Rushing YDS, 3 Receptions, 18 Receiving YDS, Receiving TD, available in 92% of leaguesAs of right now, the status of Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is up in the air for Week 2. While the former LSU star rehabs
Cheap Justin Tucker Jersey , TJ Yeldon emerged as a top waiver-wire add for Week 2. He was given most of the snaps vs. the Giants rather than splitting them with Corey Grant. He is a top-20 running back in Week 2.Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty ImagesPhillip Lindsay, Denver BroncosWeek 1 Projection: 4.7 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 18.2 PTS71 Rushing YDS, 2 Receptions, 31 Receiving YDS, 1 Receiving TDAvailable in 97.6 % of ESPN LeaguesAfter all of the preseason buzz surrounding the Broncos backfield, it appears the experts may have selected the wrong rookie half back. While Royce Freeman surely will get his, all of the talk around Mile High is of undrafted rookie bell-cow Phillip Lindsay.Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty ImagesWR:Phillip Dorsett, New England PatriotsWeek 1 Projection: 8.6 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 19.6 PTS7 Receptions, 66 YDS, 1 TDWe knew someone would emerge from Tom Brady’s receiving core, but personally I believed it would be Chris Hogan or Corrdarelle Patterson, due to the suspension of Julian Edelman. Another top waiver priority this week, despite the signing of Corey Coleman, former first rounder Phillip Dorsett lit up the Texans secondary in the opener, and he could be in for another strong performance in Week 2.Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesQuincy Enunwa, New York JetsWeek 1 Projection: 9.2 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 18.3 PTS6 Receptions, 63 YDS, 1 TDAvailable in 91.5 % of ESPN Leagues.After missing the entire 2017 season due to a neck injury, Quincy Enunwa was electric last night in his return against the Lions. Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesTE:Jared Cook
Cheap Terrell Suggs Jersey , Oakland RaidersWeek 1 Projection: 8.3 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 27 PTS9 Receptions, 180 YDSJared Cook came out of the gate for the second leg of Monday Night Football and was an absolute animal on the field. While the Rams secondary completely neutralizedDerek Carr and Amari Cooper, the veteran tight end put on a show in the first half. With the season ending injury to Delanie Walker and Greg Olsen’s broken foot, Cook is definitely worth a flyer.Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesJonnu Smith, Tennessee TitansSpeaking of Delanie Walker, his season has come to an end after a gruesome ankle fracture took him out in Week 1. His backup, second-year man Jonnu Smith, is worth a look in deeper leagues, and could fill in as a bye-week replacement depending on how Marcus Mariota decides to utilize him. In his rookie season last year, Smith established himself as an intriguing option. Smith finished the season with 18 receptions, 157 yards and 2 TD.Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty ImagesD/STJetsWeek 1 Projection: 4.3 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 25 PTS11 points allowed, 5 INT, 2 TDAfter rookie QB Sam Darnold’s first NFL throw was picked off for a touchdown, all hope was lost for the Jets. That was, until Todd Bowles’ defense began clicking on all cylinders. While I don’t believe they will dominate weekly, we will have to wait and see to find out if their showing was a fluke.Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
The path to a first-round bye in the AFC has a bunch of curves in it.Already in are NFC division winners Dallas (East) Sam Koch Jersey , New Orleans (South), Chicago (North) and the Los Angeles Rams (West). AFC divisions clinched belong to New England in the East and, well, nobody else. But there are clear leaders .Seattle owns an NFC wild card, and the LA Chargers have one in the AFC, though they can still win the AFC West. "You either believe in something or you don't," says coach Pete Carroll, whose 9-6 Seahawks made the postseason in what was considered a rebuilding year. "I think just staying the course and knowing we're on to something. Believing in the history. We know what we're capable of doing. We've shown it over a lot of years. You're always adapting, but it's staying what you're true to. I think that's what is happening. We look like a team that we have seen before, and that's powerful."Most powerful so far has been New Orleans, with the league's best record at 13-2, and a dynamic offense led by Drew Brees. The Saints have home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.The Rams (12-3) get the other opening-round bye if they beat San Francisco on Sunday. If they lose and the Bears win at Minnesota, Chicago (11-4) earns the week off and Los Angeles drops to the third seed.A Bears win also could keep the Vikings (8-6-1) out of the postseason, providing defending champion Philadelphia (8-7) wins at Washington. Only the Vikings or Eagles can get the second NFC wild card."We've got to empty the bucket, and that's the way we've got to play next week at home," Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph says. "I'm really looking forward to that environment."In the AFC, seeding is more muddled. Any of four teams could be the top or second seed.The simplest route is if Kansas City (11-4) and New England (10-5), currently the top two in the conference, both win Sunday. But if the Chiefs lose at home to Oakland and the Chargers (11-4) win at Denver Cheap Maxx Williams Jersey , Los Angeles moves into the top spot.Houston (10-5) also could wind up No. 1 in the AFC with losses by the Chiefs, Patriots against the Jets, and Chargers. New England, the only unbeaten team at home this year, would get the first seed with a victory and losses by the Chiefs and Chargers.And get this: Houston doesn't even own a division title. If the Texans fall at home to Jacksonville, the winner of the Colts at Titans game in Tennessee takes the AFC South, and the Texans become a wild card, joining either the Chiefs or Chargers.Texans coach Bill O'Brien, whose club began the season 0-3, is intrigued by the division being so ensconced in the playoff picture this year."I think that's an interesting question because I can remember the question was, two years ago, ‘Why is the AFC South so bad?'" he says. "Now, ‘Why is it so good?'"…I've never thought it was bad. I think every year it's been extremely difficult to win games in the division. I just think there's a lot of great coaches. You've got Frank (Reich) in Indy, Mike (Vrabel) in Tennessee, Doug (Marrone) in Jacksonville. You've got a lot of great players, quarterbacks, so you've got a tough division."The AFC division often looked at as the toughest has been the North, which, not surprisingly Cheap Marlon Humphrey Jersey , has come down to Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh. Except the Ravens (9-6) host the Browns, while the Steelers (8-6-1) must beat visiting Cincinnati and hope their archenemies from Cleveland sidetrack Baltimore, either beating or tying the Ravens.Neither the Ravens nor the Steelers can be a wild card — except if Pittsburgh ties the Bengals, then Indianapolis and Tennessee also tie. Then the Steelers are in.Of course, Pittsburgh also can win the North with a draw and a loss by Baltimore.Your head spinning yet? Waiver Wire Adds for Week 2RB:Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles ChargersWeek 1 Projection: 6.4 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 23.6 PTS39 Rushing YDS, 5 Receptions, 87 Receiving YDS, 1 Receiving TD, available in 89 % of leaguesDespite losing their season opener to the long ball of Patrick Mahomes, the Chargers offense showed major strides. Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon were terrific as usual, but the injury that knocked Hunter Henry out for 2018 (ACL) opened up some targets for Austin Ekeler, and he delivered. I think this offense can possibly sustain two high-level work horse backs like the Saints did last year. Ekeler is high priority for me this week.Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesT.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 1 Projection: 6.2 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 15.9 PTS51 Rushing YDS, 3 Receptions, 18 Receiving YDS, Receiving TD, available in 92% of leaguesAs of right now, the status of Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is up in the air for Week 2. While the former LSU star rehabs Cheap Justin Tucker Jersey , TJ Yeldon emerged as a top waiver-wire add for Week 2. He was given most of the snaps vs. the Giants rather than splitting them with Corey Grant. He is a top-20 running back in Week 2.Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty ImagesPhillip Lindsay, Denver BroncosWeek 1 Projection: 4.7 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 18.2 PTS71 Rushing YDS, 2 Receptions, 31 Receiving YDS, 1 Receiving TDAvailable in 97.6 % of ESPN LeaguesAfter all of the preseason buzz surrounding the Broncos backfield, it appears the experts may have selected the wrong rookie half back. While Royce Freeman surely will get his, all of the talk around Mile High is of undrafted rookie bell-cow Phillip Lindsay.Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty ImagesWR:Phillip Dorsett, New England PatriotsWeek 1 Projection: 8.6 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 19.6 PTS7 Receptions, 66 YDS, 1 TDWe knew someone would emerge from Tom Brady’s receiving core, but personally I believed it would be Chris Hogan or Corrdarelle Patterson, due to the suspension of Julian Edelman. Another top waiver priority this week, despite the signing of Corey Coleman, former first rounder Phillip Dorsett lit up the Texans secondary in the opener, and he could be in for another strong performance in Week 2.Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesQuincy Enunwa, New York JetsWeek 1 Projection: 9.2 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 18.3 PTS6 Receptions, 63 YDS, 1 TDAvailable in 91.5 % of ESPN Leagues.After missing the entire 2017 season due to a neck injury, Quincy Enunwa was electric last night in his return against the Lions. Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesTE:Jared Cook Cheap Terrell Suggs Jersey , Oakland RaidersWeek 1 Projection: 8.3 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 27 PTS9 Receptions, 180 YDSJared Cook came out of the gate for the second leg of Monday Night Football and was an absolute animal on the field. While the Rams secondary completely neutralizedDerek Carr and Amari Cooper, the veteran tight end put on a show in the first half. With the season ending injury to Delanie Walker and Greg Olsen’s broken foot, Cook is definitely worth a flyer.Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesJonnu Smith, Tennessee TitansSpeaking of Delanie Walker, his season has come to an end after a gruesome ankle fracture took him out in Week 1. His backup, second-year man Jonnu Smith, is worth a look in deeper leagues, and could fill in as a bye-week replacement depending on how Marcus Mariota decides to utilize him. In his rookie season last year, Smith established himself as an intriguing option. Smith finished the season with 18 receptions, 157 yards and 2 TD.Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty ImagesD/STJetsWeek 1 Projection: 4.3 PTSWeek 1 Outcome: 25 PTS11 points allowed, 5 INT, 2 TDAfter rookie QB Sam Darnold’s first NFL throw was picked off for a touchdown, all hope was lost for the Jets. That was, until Todd Bowles’ defense began clicking on all cylinders. While I don’t believe they will dominate weekly, we will have to wait and see to find out if their showing was a fluke.Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images