Week 12 is nearly over, but the games we care about for these rankings are done.
As we’ve done in recent weeks, we’re putting together the NFL Tanking Rankings (Stop chasing for Chase? Be bad for Burrow?), a look at the worst teams in the league and the chances we think they have at the top few picks.
We thought we knew that the top two spots in the 2020 draft were pretty locked up, but we were very wrong. There’s still plenty of time for all of this to change, so we’ll revisit these again in a week.
(All actual current draft positions courtesy of Tankathon):
7. Atlanta Falcons (3-8)
Remaining schedule: @ NO, vs. CAR, @ SF, vs. JAX, @ TB
Actual position: 6th overall
The only reason they’re not higher is I see two winnable games — one against the Jaguars and a rematch against the Bucs. I know Tampa just beat them on Sunday, but maybe the Falcons force Jameis Winston into throwing more interceptions.
6. Detroit Lions (3-7-1)
Remaining schedule: vs. CHI, @ MIN, vs. TB, @ DEN, vs. GB
Actual position: 7th overall
Oof. But at least the loss took them from the 10th overall pick to 7th, and it could get even better down the road. And that tie against the Cardinals could turn out to be costly.
5. Denver Broncos (3-8)
Remaining schedule: vs. LAC, @ HOU, @ KC, vs. DET, vs. OAK
Actual position: 5th overall
Week 16 against the Lions will be HUGE for their draft position.
4. Washington Redskins (2-9)
Remaining schedule: @ CAR, @ GB, vs. PHI, vs. NYG, @ DAL
Actual position: 4th overall
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WINNING GAMES?! Actually, maybe the question is: are the Lions worse than this team? Anyway, the Skins drop to fourth after owning the No. 2 overall spot for a while.
3. New York Giants (2-9)
Remaining schedule: vs. GB, @ PHI, vs. MIA, @ WSH, vs. PHI
Actual position: 2nd overall
They had a legitimate shot to win in Chicago, but the loss is a win for their draft position. They could beat the Dolphins and Redskins … but for now they’re here.
2. Miami Dolphins (2-9)
Remaining schedule: vs. PHI, @ NYJ, @ NYG, vs. CIN, @ NE
Actual position: 3rd overall
The strength of schedule tie-breaker currently has them third overall, and the No. 2 team — the Giants — will face them in Week 15. That could decide who gets the second overall pick.
1. Cincinnati Bengals (0-11)
Remaining schedule: vs. NYJ, @ CLE, vs. NE, @ MIA, vs. CLE
Actual position: 1st overall
Business as usual for the Bengals, who look like the clear favorites for the top pick with two games up on the rest of the competition.
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