Greg Bedard of BostonSportsJournal.com joined the Felger and Mazz program on Tuesday, as he does every week to discuss the Patriots and the NFL games from the past week. While on, Greg Bedard did his weekly “10 Questions” segment on the program following week 17 of the 2023 NFL season…
Before the 10 questions, here are some stats and info from NFL.com…
The Baltimore Ravens have clinched the top seed in the AFC playoff and will have home field advantage throughout the AFC, while the San Francisco 49ers have locked up the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leads all quarterbacks in passing yards with 4,451 so far in 2023, while Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill leads all receivers in receiving yards with 1,717 through week 17. Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers is the league’s rushing leader through week 17 with 1,459 rushing yards.
The Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will meet on Sunday Night Football in week 18 to determine the winner of the AFC East in the 2023 season.
With their loss in week 17, the Carolina Panthers clinched the worst record in the NFL in the 2023 season. The loss locked up the first overall pick in the draft for the Chicago Bears, who own the Panthers 1st round pick due to a 2023 offseason trade that saw the Panthers get the 1st overall pick from the Bears.
T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals are tied for the league lead in sacks with 17 total sacks apiece on the season.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, the two teams that competed in last seasons Super Bowl, have both locked up playoff spots in the upcoming playoffs. The Chiefs will enter the playoffs as the AFC West division winner, while the Eagles playoff seeding will be determined in week 18. The Eagles need a win and a Dallas Cowboys loss to win the NFC East.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 11: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
10. Last Thursday, the Lions went for a two-point conversion at the end of their game with the Cowboys and had a successful play negated over confusion as to whether the receiver, who was an offensive tackle, properly declared himself as eligible. The Cowboys ended up winning the game. Who do you blame?
Greg Bedard: The ref ultimately got it wrong. However, the Lions actively participated in deception that confused the ref. You don’t send three offensive linemen over to the ref. You brought it on yourself. Deal with it. And don’t be a jackass and keep going for two all the time Dan Campbell.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 07: Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) of the New England Patriots celebrates after a reception in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 07, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
9. This question is mostly for Ted Johnson … if you had to pick one player who most exemplifies the problems with the 2023 Patriots, who is it?
Greg Bedard: JuJu Smith-Schuster. Belichick picked him to replace Jakobi Meyers, who was fine, and he’s hurt all the time. That’s the Patriots offense.
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 21: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines congratulates J.J. McCarthy #9 after one of his second half touchdown passes while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
8. Jim Harbaugh was asked last night whether he has given any consideration that next week’s national championship game could be his final game at the school. Greg Bedard informed us before the show that Harbaugh has hired agent Don Yee. What does this all mean and where is Harbaugh going?
Greg Bedard: It means he’s likely going to the NFL. Or at least he’s trying to leverage the crap out of Michigan, but he’s had an extension on the table for months. I think he’s going to the Raiders. I think Mark Davis has been obsessed with Harbaugh for a long time and I think he finally lands him now.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass in the third quarter during the 2023 NFL London Games match between Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
7. Give me the top five teams, in order, in your current NFL power rankings….
Greg Bedard: Ravens. 49ers. Lions. Cowboys. Buffalo.
6. Who is the current NFL MVP?
Greg Bedard: Lamar Jackson.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks to pass during the 1st quarter of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
5. Who will the AFC South and the NFC South?
Greg Bedard: I don’t really care but Jacksonville and Tampa Bay.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 01: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills watches game action against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
4. For as much hype as the AFC East garnered before the season, the division has a collective record of 31-33 entering Week 18. Who will win the division?
Greg Bedard: The Dolphins because they’re playing at home and they’re better at home.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 10: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears scrambles against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
3. In his last five games, Justin Fields is 5-4 with 13 TD and 5 int as a passer, 521 yards and 3 TD as a runner and the Bears how now locked up the No. 1 pick in the draft. So … should the Bears still draft a quarterback with the No. 1 pick?
Greg Bedard: They should take the quarterback and trade Justin Fields.
2. In the national semifinals last night, Washington quarterback Michael Penix completed 29-of-38 passes for 430 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Should Penix be considered with Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jaden Daniels as an option for the Patriots and the other teams at the top of the draft? And list those four quarterbacks in the order they should be drafted….
Greg Bedard: I don’t think I would take Penix in the top ten. My order is Williams, Maye, Penix, Nix, Daniels. Daniels I’ve started to watch a little bit more, man he is small. He reminds me of Bryce Young a lot. So I’m a little wary about that.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on from the sideline during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
1.One week from today, will Bill Belichick still be the head coach of the Patriots. If not, who will be his replacement?
Greg Bedard: On Tuesday at this time, yes, he will still be the head coach. But I don’t think he’ll be the head coach by the end of the week. And my pick, probably just because I think it’s the best option, Mike Vrabel.
