We’re telling you there’s a chance. It isn’t a good one. It isn’t likely. Heck, it’s probably a prayer. But the Miami Dolphins still have an outside shot at securing the #1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft with two games left to play — and their next contest against none other than the lowly Cincinnati Bengals.
Don’t scoff, Dolphins fans. The team just gave up 29 second half points to a New York Giants team that hadn’t won since mid-September. The Dolphins losing to Cincinnati is certainly on the table and this team is in now position to assume wins against anyone.
The Dolphins and Bengals will enter their clash at Hard Rock Stadium owning the 1st and 3rd overall picks in the 2020 NFL Draft as the order currently stands. A win by the Bengals doesn’t change anything in the immediate aftermath of Week 16 but it certainly does alter the landscape for Week 17 and set the stage for some drama.
A Dolphins win over the Bengals makes it official — Cincinnati at 1-14 will be guaranteed to finish with no more than 2 wins and everyone else in the NFL already has 3. The primary competition for the top spot is Miami, the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. The latter two also play each other in Week 16 — meaning this weekend serves an an elimination weekend for the NFL Draft order.
Here’s what Miami needs to see unfold to position themselves for the 1st-overall pick.
- The Dolphins must lose at home to Cincinnati
- The preferred outcome of other NFL Draft centric clash would feature the New York Giants defeating the Washington Redskins (the Giants have already beaten Washington once this season)
- For strength of schedule purposes, Carolina defeating Indianapolis
If those three dominoes fall in Week 16, the stage is set for Week 17 to provide Miami hope of securing the #1 overall pick. If Week 16 goes according to plan, Miami would need the following to unfold in Week 17.
- The Dolphins to lose to the Patriots
- The Bengals to defeat the Browns
And viola! That’s Miami’s current recipe for the top pick.
That would leave Miami, Cincinnati and potentially Washington tied at 3-13 — but Miami would own the worst strength of schedule.
After months of seeing the Texans and Steelers squash Miami’s optimal NFL Draft order scenarios, would it be too much to ask to see these five dominoes fall in succession?
[vertical-gallery id=419827]