The Week 18 storyline that will have massive implications on future of AFC South
There is an underrated storyline during Week 18 of the NFL season that will significantly alter the future of the AFC South and each of its teams. When the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts square off at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, the results of that game will probably be far more important than the […]
There is an underrated storyline during Week 18 of the NFL season that will significantly alter the future of the AFC South and each of its teams.
When the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts square off at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, the results of that game will probably be far more important than the primetime matchup between the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars from Saturday night.
Two tanking franchises playing at noon during the final week of the season may not be as fun or prevalent as playoff races from around the league, but the 2023 NFL Draft Order and future of quarterbacks within the division will be riding on those results.
What's best for the Titans
The Chicago Bears are currently 3-13, taking on the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the season. Minnesota is still battling for seeding in the NFC playoff picture, but is still expected to bench their starters despite needing a win over Justin Fields and Chicago.
Should the Bears lose that game, a Texans win over Indianapolis would then give the Bears the first overall pick in the draft, and potentially take Houston out of the conversation for Bryce Young at the top of the draft.
Now, the Bears are not going to take a quarterback with their pick. They have found their guy in Fields, but first-year General Manager Ryan Poles would likely be looking to get a haul of draft picks and trade out of the spot. Chicago has many holes to fill, and moving back while assembling a return of future picks makes the most sense.
That would then, however, open things up for teams like Carolina, Indianapolis, Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta, or Las Vegas to make a move for a QB. Those are all teams currently set to pick in the Top 10 that also have question marks at quarterback for the future. They could offer the Bears a top pick this year so Chicago can draft defensive talent, and future picks to move up and get their star QB. That puts Houston's future in jeopardy.
If you want an example of just how big this could be, look no further than the New York Jets, who are currently stuck with Zach Wilson after this play cost them the chance to draft first overall and let Trevor Lawrence go to Jacksonville:
Bet they'd like to have that one back.
The downside of a win for the Texans is that Indianapolis losing would solidify a top five pick in the draft for the Colts with the ability to move into the third spot with wins by Denver and Arizona. While it takes number one off the table for the Texans, it may put the Colts back into the first round QB conversation or give them more ammo to trade Chicago for that first overall pick.
Either way, the result of a game that seems insignificant on the surface might change the direction of the AFC South for years to come.
Titans fans need to hope the Texans get a win on Sunday and the Bears move the first overall pick to an NFC team that doesn't threaten Tennessee.
Image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
