NFL playoff picks for AFC, NFC title video games plus Tremendous Bowl nationwide anthem singer introduced, Patriots rent OC

Welcome to the Tuesday version of the Decide Six Publication!

First, I wish to begin off with some dangerous information: I’ll NOT be singing the nationwide anthem on the Tremendous Bowl this yr. I hoped that the NFL would decide me, however as soon as once more, they’ve handed me over. It is getting insulting at this level. I am undecided if it is as a result of I can not sing or as a result of I’ve by no means been nominated for a Grammy, however I am certain each of these issues performed into it. 

Though I will not be singing the nationwide anthem, the NFL revealed in the present day who can be and we’ll be overlaying that. I will even be making my picks for the convention title video games and we’ll be having a look at why Lamar Jackson would possibly find yourself getting traded. 

As all the time, this is your weekly reminder to inform all your folks to join the Decide Six e-newsletter. To get your folks to enroll, all it’s a must to do is click on right here after which share this hyperlink with them. Let’s get to the rundown. 

1. At the moment’s present: Will Lamar Jackson get traded?

For the previous 20 weeks, the Tuesday morning podcast was fairly easy: It was Ryan Wilson, Will Brinson and I rehashing the Monday evening recreation. Nonetheless, with no extra Monday video games this season, meaning we needed to provide you with one thing else to speak about in the present day, in order that’s precisely what we did. 

Brinson introduced on Jason La Canfora and the 2 of them spent practically 45 minutes breaking down the most recent information and rumors across the NFL. La Canfora hosts a radio present in Baltimore and is dialed into the Ravens, so it was particularly attention-grabbing to listen to what he needed to say about how the Lamar Jackson state of affairs would possibly play out. 

• JLC thinks the Ravens will finally commerce Jackson this offseason. “To me, that is far and away the most definitely final result.” Jackson has been eligible for a brand new contract for the reason that finish of the 2020 season, however the two sides have not been in a position to hammer out a deal although they’ve had practically 24 months. “They’ve had years to signal this child. It is over,” JLC stated. “If you are going to commerce him, that you must come to this realization shortly.”
• Why the Ravens must act fast. The commerce marketplace for quarterbacks may very well be deep this yr, which is why the Ravens must determine as quickly as potential if they will deal Jackson. “I feel Aaron Rodgers goes to be dealt. You could have Tom Brady on the market. I feel Ryan Tannehill l goes to be dealt. I feel Derek Carr goes to be dealt. You would possibly as properly get forward of all that and get [Jackson traded].”
• Potential touchdown spots. On the subject of potential touchdown spots, JLC pointed on the three groups that missed out on Deshaun Watson final season: The Panthers, Falcons and Saints. All three groups nonetheless want a quarterback and if considered one of them have been so as to add Jackson, they’d nearly immediately turn out to be the favourite to win the NFC South in 2023. 

As for negotiations between the Ravens and Jackson, JLC thinks it will proceed to be a stalemate. “I do not see Lamar doing them any favors.” 

To take heed to in the present day’s episode — and to get JLC’s ideas on a mess of different matters — you’ll want to click on right here. It’s also possible to WATCH in the present day’s episode on YouTube by clicking right here.

2. Breech’s convention title recreation picks: Each video games go all the way down to the wire

It is Tuesday, and that may solely imply one factor: It is time for my weekly picks. 

We are actually two rounds into the playoffs and if I’ve realized one factor about my picks, it is that I ought to solely be selecting AFC video games. Thus far this postseason, I am 5-0 selecting AFC video games, however simply 2-3 selecting NFC video games, so 49ers followers ought to most likely maintain that in thoughts when studying my NFC title recreation decide beneath. 

With that in thoughts, listed here are my picks for the AFC and NFC Championship video games. 

• (1) Eagles 23-20 over (2) 49ers. In case you like offensive fireworks, then that is the sport for you: Each groups rank within the prime six within the NFL in factors per recreation, offensive yards per recreation and speeding yards per recreation. However, possibly this recreation will flip right into a defensive battle and that is as a result of each of those groups rank within the prime eight for fewest factors allowed. I feel what I am attempting to say right here is that these groups are fairly evenly matched, so I will need to go together with the quarterback I belief extra and that is Jalen Hurts. No rookie QB has ever led their workforce to a Tremendous Bowl and though Brock Purdy has been good this yr, I do not assume he will be the primary rookie QB to interrupt via to the large recreation. LINE: Eagles (-2.5)
• (3) Bengals 27-24 over (1) Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been in a position to beat the Bengals when he is absolutely wholesome, so I’ve a tricky time seeing him beat them with an injured ankle. Joe Burrow has by no means misplaced in January (7-0), he is by no means misplaced a street playoff recreation (3-0) and I feel everyone knows the place I am going with this decide. Burrow is 3-0 in opposition to Mahomes with all three video games being determined by precisely three factors and the Bengals are going for his or her third straight playoff win. So I will simply stick to this three theme and say the Bengals win by three. LINE: Bengals (-1.5)

To get my full tackle each video games, you’ll want to take a look at my convention title recreation picks by clicking right here. 

3. Patriots rent Invoice O’Brien as offensive coordinator

Invoice Belichick is bringing again an previous good friend to run New England’s offense. CBS Sports activities NFL Insider Josina Anderson has reported that the Patriots are going to rent Invoice O’Brien as their offensive coordinator. After a disastrous 2022 season the place the Patriots did not formally have an offensive coordinator whereas additionally letting let Matt Patricia name performs, it was clear they have been going to be making a giant change this offseason, and this transfer positively qualifies as massive.  

• O’Brien reuniting with Belichick. One factor about Belichick is that he loves hiring coaches who he already is aware of, and O’Brien positively falls into that class. O’Brien’s first NFL job got here in 2007 when he was employed to be an offensive assistant for the Patriots. O’Brien ended up spending 5 seasons in New England, together with his closing one coming in 2011 the place he was the offensive coordinator for a 13-3 Patriots workforce that made it to the Tremendous Bowl. 
• Why the Patriots wanted somebody new. With Matt Patricia calling performs, issues bought ugly in New England this previous season. Not solely did he usually battle with Mac Jones on the sideline, however the Patriots ended the 2022 season because the worst workforce within the NFL in crimson zone effectivity, the sixth-worst workforce in third down effectivity they usually additionally had the fifth-fewest first downs. By the top of the season, it was fairly clear they would wish to make a change for 2023. It is unclear what Patricia’s function can be subsequent season — or if he’ll even be staying with the workforce — however he positively will not be calling offensive performs. 
• Mac Jones apparently pleased with the rent. In keeping with MassLive.com, Jones is “very” enthusiastic about working with O’Brien. The Patriots’ new offensive coordinator is definitely accustomed to Jones, due to their brief overlapping time at Alabama. O’Brien was employed as OC by Nick Saban in early 2021 whereas Jones was preparing for the NFL Draft that yr. With O’Brien attempting to be taught Alabama’s offense, he stated he really bought some assist from Jones. 

Though there’s been some hypothesis that the Patriots would possibly attempt to make a play for a big-time QB this offseason, the hiring of O’Brien would appear to be a superb factor for Jones, who probably now feels a lot safe in his function because the workforce’s starter. 

4. Overreactions and actuality checks from the divisional spherical

Everybody on the web likes to overreact to issues, and that is very true once we’re speaking in regards to the NFL. With that in thoughts, Jeff Kerr determined to try a number of issues that occurred across the NFL throughout the divisional spherical to determine if we’re all overreacting. 

Assertion: The Cowboys want to maneuver on from Dak Prescott. 
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction. “Prescott wasn’t good in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers, finishing 23-of-37 passes for 206 yards with one landing to 2 interceptions (63.6 ranking). This was simply one other poor divisional spherical efficiency from Prescott, who nonetheless has but to steer the Cowboys to a convention championship recreation. On the finish of the day, although, the Cowboys can be caught with Prescott’s contract. Prescott nonetheless offers them their finest likelihood to win, as proprietor/normal supervisor Jerry Jones will attempt to tinker the salary-inflated roster or discover a new coach to get essentially the most out of Prescott (though Jones says McCarthy’s job is protected).”

Assertion: Brock Purdy will battle in opposition to the Eagles’ cross rush. 
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality. “Purdy was not nice when dealing with strain in Sunday’s win, going simply 3 of 11 for twenty-four yards with a 39.6 passer ranking. When Purdy was blitzed, he completed 3 of 6 for 38 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and a 70.1 passer ranking. This week, he’ll be dealing with an Eagles cross rush that has 75 sacks this season (together with the playoffs). The Eagles’ cross rush would be the finest cross rush Purdy has confronted all yr and will probably be attention-grabbing to see how he responds.”

Assertion: Joe Burrow is the very best QB within the AFC. 
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction. “This might simply be a actuality, particularly since Burrow continues to exhibit his mastery of the Chiefs and Payments. So why is not Burrow the very best quarterback? He is 3-0 in opposition to Patrick Mahomes in his profession and has by no means misplaced to the Chiefs, beating them within the AFC Championship recreation in Kansas Metropolis final yr. Nonetheless, Mahomes is about to win his second league MVP, has a Tremendous Bowl title and has led Kansas Metropolis to the convention championship recreation in 5 consecutive seasons. If Burrow beats Mahomes subsequent week, he’ll have the title of the AFC’s finest quarterback for a very long time. He is already on his strategy to legendary standing regardless.”

There are a lot extra overreactions from the divisional spherical, and if you need to test these out, you’ll want to click on right here.

5. ‘With the First Decide’ mock draft: 4 quarterbacks taken with prime 10 picks

With the 2022 NFL common season now within the books, meaning you are going to be listening to much more in regards to the NFL Draft over the subsequent three months. That can assist you prepare for the draft, we have began a brand new podcast right here at CBS Sports activities that covers the draft in depth: “With the First Decide.” (You may hear and subscribe right here).

If you wish to know the wants for every workforce and who they need to take, then you definitely’ll positively need to be listening to this podcast each Monday from now till draft day. 

• The present is co-hosted by Ryan Wilson and former Vikings normal supervisor Rick Spielman. In case you’re a daily listener of the “Decide Six” podcast, then you definitely already know Wilson. He is the man who retains the podcast afloat together with his widespread sense. In case you’ve adopted soccer at everywhere in the previous decade, then you definitely already know Spielman, who was the Vikings GM for 10 years. He additionally performed a giant half in establishing the present model of the workforce. 

For this week’s podcast, Spielman and Wilson discuss some quarterback strikes that may occur. One workforce they spent some severe time speaking about was the Raiders. Though the Raiders can be out there for a QB since they’re shifting on from Derek Carr, Spielman does not assume they will be taking one with the seventh total decide within the draft. 

• Spielman’s take: “Final yr, for those who take a look at what they did in free company, they have been very proactive in getting veterans on the workforce. It looks like Josh McDaniels, that is his character, he desires to work with veterans. I see them getting extra aggressive and going after a veteran quarterback. They are going to find the money for to exit and get a veteran quarterback to get with this veteran roster that they began to place collectively final yr.”

Spielman additionally added that McDaniels will most definitely go after somebody who has expertise working his system, with the 2 most blatant names being Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. 

In case you’re questioning which groups could be searching for a quarterback within the draft, CBSSports.com draft analyst Josh Edwards ranked the 5 most definitely groups to take a quarterback: 

• Texans (personal second total decide)
• Panthers (personal ninth total decide)
• Colts (personal fourth total decide)
• Falcons (personal eighth total decide)
• Seahawks (personal fifth total decide and twentieth total decide)

If you would like the total clarification for Edwards’ checklist, you’ll want to click on right here. 

As for the podcast, you may hear or subscribe to in the present day’s episode by clicking right here. It’s also possible to take a look at Spielman and Wilson on YouTube by clicking right here. 

6. Fast-fire roundup: NFL reveals nationwide anthem singer for Tremendous Bowl

It has been a busy 24 hours within the NFL and because it’s practically not possible to maintain observe of the whole lot that occurred I went forward and put collectively a roundup for you. 

• NFL pronounces nationwide anthem singer. Eight-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton can be dealing with the nationwide anthem earlier than Tremendous Bowl LVII. The NFL additionally introduced that Babyface will sing “America the Lovely” whereas actress Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing “Raise Each Voice and Sing.”
• NFL additionally pronounces Tremendous Bowl ref. We do not know which groups can be enjoying within the Tremendous Bowl, however we do know who the referee can be: Carl Cheffers. We’ll have extra on this choice later this week, together with how every workforce has accomplished with Cheffers, however for now, we’ll simply level out that his crew threw essentially the most penalty flags within the NFL this yr. It is going to be the third Tremendous Bowl for Cheffers, who was additionally the referee in Tremendous Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons) and Tremendous Bowl LV (Buccaneers vs. Chiefs). 
• Patrick Mahomes replace. The Chiefs QB positively plans on enjoying this week. Mahomes shared an Instagram picture on Monday with a caption that stated, “See you Sunday.” Andy Reid was requested about Mahomes’ well being and he was barely extra cautious, “He talked about it to you that he will play. That is his mindset, after which we’ll simply take it day-to-day and see how he does,” Reid stated, by way of ESPN.com. Reid stated Mahomes might theoretically play in opposition to the Bengals with out working towards this week, however he additionally added that he’d wish to see how the ankle feels after going via a follow. 
• Josh Allen probably will not bear surgical procedure. The Payments QB bought injured again in Week 9, and apparently that elbow damage was nonetheless bothering him on the finish of the season. Allen famous on Monday that because of the damage, he was “attempting to throw it a little bit in another way mechanically.” Though the elbow remains to be injured, Allen will not be present process surgical procedure. The assumption is that the elbow ought to heal with some relaxation, which is one thing that it hasn’t gotten since Allen injured it again on Nov. 6. 
• Tom Brady will get testy when requested about his future. Throughout his podcast on Monday, Brady was requested if he knew when he would possibly decide about whether or not he will play in 2023 and right here was his reply, “If I knew what I used to be going to f—— do, I might’ve already f—— accomplished it, OK,” Brady stated. “I am taking it a day at a time.” You may get all the main points on that story right here. 
• Sean Payton interviews with Panthers. The previous Saints coach met with the Panthers on Monday and he now appears to be within the working for 4 completely different jobs. In addition to Carolina, we all know the Broncos, Cardinals and Texans have additionally talked to Payton. For the newest on the place he would possibly find yourself, you’ll want to click on right here.

In different teaching information, a number of groups are already bringing in candidates for his or her second spherical of interviews. In accordance to NFL.com, the Cardinals are planning a second interview with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. We’re not going to checklist each little bit of teaching information right here, as a result of it might quadruple the size of the e-newsletter, however if you would like the most recent updates on each teaching and GM interview being held this offseason, then be certain to click on right here so you may observe alongside in our tracker.