NFL News and Notes – Thursday December 13th 2018

With just 3 weeks remaining, the playoff pictures are becoming a bit clearer, and teams who are out of the draft are looking forward to the NFL Draft. Lets take a look at some storylines around the league and the playoff standings going into week 15.

The Vikings are moving on from offensive coordinator John DeFelippo after he was fired Tuesday. DeFelippo came over from Philadelphia in the offseason after being considered heavily influential in Carson Wentz and Nick Foles development as the Eagles QB coach.

As offensive coordinator of the Vikings, DeFelippo and head coach Mike Zimmer reportedly did not see eye to eye on certain aspects of the gameplan, and Zimmer reportedly had the final word on whether or not to retain DeFelippo.

Over the last 6 games, the Vikings had been held under 24 points, and on the season, the offense ranked 20th in scoring (21.7 PPG), 22nd in 3rd down conversion rate (37.7%) and 30th in rushing yards per game (85.4). Kevin Stefanski will serve as the interim playcaller and OC, and DeFelippo will certainly latch on with another team as a offensive assistant or position coach.

Random Notes

– 2020 Draft to be held in Las Vegas
– 2019 salary cap projected at $191.1 Million
– JAX, LAR, TB, OAK, and LAC all to host international games in 2019
– Saints release Brandon Marshall after a month with team

Draft Order (Projected)

If the NFL Draft were to occur tomorrow, this would be the order of the top 10, along with the teams biggest needs.

1. San Francisco 49ers (3-10) (EDGE, CB, LB)
2. Oakland Raiders (3-10) (OL, CB, WR)
3. Arizona Cardinals (3-10) (EDGE, DT, WR)
4. New York Jets* (4-9) (EDGE, OL, WR)
5. Atlanta Falcons* (4-9) (EDGE, DT, OG)
6. Buffalo Bills (4-9) (WR, OL, CB)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) (QB, OL, TE)
8. Detroit Lions (5-8) (EDGE, TE, S)
9. New York Giants (5-8) (QB, EDGE, OT)
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-8) (CB, S, OT)

Tiebreakers determined by 1. Head to head. 2. Strength of Schedule 3. Common opponents 4. Coin flip

*Jets and Falcons are currently tied and would be determined by a coin flip

Playoff Picture

(x) – clinched playoff berth (y) – clinched division (z) – clinched first round bye

Remaining opponents in parentheses following record

NFC

1. (xy) New Orleans Saints (11-2) : (@ CAR, vs. PIT, @ CAR)
2. (xy) Los Angeles Rams (11-2) : (vs. PHI, @ ARI, vs. SF)
3. Chicago Bears (9-4) : (vs. GB, @ SF, @ MIN)
4. Dallas Cowboys (8-5) : (@ IND, vs. TB, @ NYG)
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-5) : (@ SF, vs. KC, vs. ARI)
6. Minnesota Vikings (6-6-1) : (vs. MIA, @ DET, vs. CHI)

In The Hunt: CAR (6-7), PHI (6-7), WAS (6-7), GB (5-7-1)

AFC

1. (x) Kansas City Chiefs (11-2) : (vs. LAC, @ SEA, vs. OAK)
2. New England Patriots (9-4) : (@ PIT, vs. BUF, vs. NYJ)
3. Houston Texans (9-4) : (@ NYJ, @ PHI, vs. JAX)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1) : (vs. NE, @ NO, vs. CIN)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-3) : (@ KC, vs. BAL, @ DEN)
6. Baltimore Ravens (7-6) : (vs. TB, @ LAC, vs. CLE)

In The Hunt: IND (7-6), MIA (7-6), TEN (7-6), DEN (6-7)

Injury Report

ARI RB David Johnson (quad) – questionable
ATL LB Deion Jones (foot) – questionable
ATL WR Julio Jones (foot) – questionable
BAL CB Marlon Humphrey (groin) – questionable
BUF LB Matt Milano (leg) – placed on IR
BUF RB LeSean McCoy (hamstring) – questionable
CHI WR Allen Robinson (hip) – questionable
CLE CB Denzel Ward (concussion) – questionable
DAL RB Ezekiel Elliott (shoulder) – questionable
DAL G Zack Martin (knee) – questionable
DEN WR Courtland Sutton (quad) – questionable
DEN CB Chris Harris (leg) – out
DET RB Kerryon Johnson (knee) – doubtful
GB T Bryan Bulaga (knee) – questionable
HOU EDGE J.J. Watt (knee) – questionable
IND WR T.Y. Hilton (ankle) – questionable
KC WR Tyreek Hill (heel/wrist) – questionable
KC S Eric Berry (heel) – questionable
KC RB Spencer Ware (hamstring) – doubtful
LAC RB Austin Ekeler (neck/concussion) – out
LAC RB Melvin Gordon (knee) – questionable
MIA RB Kenyan Drake (shoulder) – questionable
MIA QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) – questionable
NO T Terron Armstead (shoulder/chest) – questionable
NYG S Landon Collins (shoulder) – placed on IR
NYG WR Odell Beckham Jr. (quad) – questionable
NYJ Isaiah Crowell (foot) – questionable
PHI QB Carson Wentz (back) – doubtful
PIT RB James Conner (ankle) – questionable
SF RB Matt Breida (ankle) – questionable
SEA WR Doug Baldwin (hip) – questionable
TEN T Jack Conklin (knee) – placed on IR

Good luck on any action you have this weekend, and enjoy the contests! Keep your eye on LAC@KC, GB@CHI, MIA@MIN, DAL@IND, NE@PIT, PHI@LAR, HOU@NYJ, and NO@CAR for their playoff implications. Cheers!