A new challenger for the #1 pick approaches: 3-11 Broncos

[Anybodyhome]

The Falcons will do everything they can to secure home field at some point. The last thing they want is the NFC Championship between them and the Philly Vicks to be in Philadelphia.

And unless Denver plays so bad they actually take a win away, there's no worry- Carolina will lose out.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

If we don't get that #1 pick and/or Luck doesn't declare, the amount of suicides in Charlotte is going to skyrocket.

I think that he goes back to school and comes out for the next draft . . . in 2012, when John Cusack told me the world would end. I'm not trying to be alarmist or anything, but Luck is probably the antichrist.

[Dpantherman]

bump this thread after next monday when the Saints and Falcons square off. the Falcons will keep fighting until they get that #1 seed because they are next to unbeatable at home.

[Sam Mills Fan]

You know...........I wonder if the Falcons don't lay down for us in that final game if it will mean they can keep Luck out of the South? Remember this post if you see Mike Smith *really* dialing it down against us with an ultra-conservative gameplan with Chris Redman at QB.

[Dpantherman]

start Tony Pike

[Vagrant]

The Broncos are already pretty set at QB with The Golden Calf of Bristol and Orton. They have the veteran and they have the rookie. If they did get the pick, they would probably want A.J. Green anyways. If they did, they wouldn't be able to trade down much further than our spot to get him. We would be in the driver's seat regardless if the Broncos picked up the 1st overall. The fanbase would freak out if they took a QB with a Top 25 pick and then followed it up by taking another one with the 1st overall before the last one even had a suitable audition. Especially one with the popularity of The Golden Calf of Bristol.

Even further, Luck might not declare if a team with the 1st overall had a QB already in place. Slotting is highly important in terms of promised money.... but hey, you never know.

I am going to try to enjoy the last 2 games of the year and let the rest decide itself as fate dictates.

[Cyberjag]

About the only change we have at Atlanta going full strength is if New Orleans wins there next week.

[AceMan]

You know...........I wonder if the Falcons don't lay down for us in that final game if it will mean they can keep Luck out of the South? Remember this post if you see Mike Smith *really* dialing it down against us with an ultra-conservative gameplan with Chris Redman at QB.

I think someone suggested this like a week ago

[Gazi]

Root for the Saints. Makes me gag

[theyhateme45]

About the only change we have at Atlanta going full strength is if New Orleans wins there next week.

Yep... this is true.... If Atlanta beats NO they will clinch the #1 seed in the NFC next week.

Also the Broncos do have a big lead in SoS.

Assuming the Patriots and Bears win (Which they both should)

Denver's opposing team wins would be 116, Carolina 128, and Cincy 131

[Vagrant]

You know...........I wonder if the Falcons don't lay down for us in that final game if it will mean they can keep Luck out of the South? Remember this post if you see Mike Smith *really* dialing it down against us with an ultra-conservative gameplan with Chris Redman at QB.

No way in hell that happens. No way that a team that may be the 1st overall seed in the conference lays down for a 2-12 team over something as ridiculous as draft position over a player that may not even declare. We're not talking about the football equivalent of LeBron James here.

Any coach that had that clear of an agenda would be fired on the spot.

"Yes, we're in great position to make a Super Bowl run..... but DAMN I just want to stick it to those Panthers and lose on purpose".

Teams that have already clinched always stress the importance of not developing bad football habits as a result of apathetic play in order to not get hurt in the final few games of the year. If you rest on your laurels for two consecutive weeks, with the bye week included, then you're most certainly going to be knocked off your pegs when the real games start back up.

There is a reason that wild card teams usually have a lot of success. It's because they've been playing playoff games since Week 13 most of the time. Any coach irresponsible enough to pull back on the reigns of his team in order to not get anybody hurt deserves to, and most often does, lose before they reach the Super Bowl.

[Grammer]

what would have to happen for the panthers to play the falcons secondaries in the last week? wouldnt they be fighting for the number one seed even if they beat the saints?

[rmoneyg35]

Thank God for the second Coming of Christ! The Golden Calf of Bristol! Too bad he can't play defense.

[pantherpain]

You know...........I wonder if the Falcons don't lay down for us in that final game if it will mean they can keep Luck out of the South? Remember this post if you see Mike Smith *really* dialing it down against us with an ultra-conservative gameplan with Chris Redman at QB.

This has crossed my mind, but not being on the inside I don't know if teams think this way or not.