The Cincinnati Bengals maintain a two-game lead in the battle for the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after losing to the New England Patriots. The New York Giants did themselves no favors by belting the Miami Dolphins to throw the second slot into chaos.
12. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were 5-3 once and thinking about the playoffs. Now, they will think about what to serve at parties while watching postseason games and where they will eventually land in the 2020 NFL Draft thanks to a six-game losing streak.
11. Denver Broncos
The weather in Kansas City was frightful. So was the performance of the Denver Broncos, who fall to 5-9 after the 23-3 loss. Denver lost both games to the Chiefs in 2019, by the combined score of 53-9. Ouch.
10. LA Chargers
Well, the Chargers finally found a way not to lose a close game. And in doing so, they ruined the narrative they outscored their opponents despite being an under-.500 team. And this moves the Bolts into the 10th slot thanks to strength of schedule. Embarrassing season for a team expected to contend for a deep playoff run.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars found a team they could beat in the reeling Raiders, who have lost four in a row after faking people into believing they were playoff contenders. The late victory in the last game at Oakland Coliseum is window dressing on what should be a change in the coaching staff in the Sunshine State.
8. New York Jets
The Jets showed they are going to be another chapter in the team’s awful history by fading to 5-9 while getting devoured by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
7. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals snapped a six-game losing streak by crushing the Browns. It makes you wonder if the future in the desert is bright or if Cleveland has so many issues it could fill a week of “Dr. Phil” shows. Let’s go with a blend and believe there is a long way to go for Kliff Kingsbury and another reasonably high draft pick will help.
6. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons managed to put up a good fight against the powerful and depleted San Francisco 49ers to pick up their fifth win of the season. For their efforts, they have a home in the seventh slot with a pair of games left.
5. Detroit Lions
The Lions are not going anywhere but up in the NFL Draft battle. They have lost seven in a row and stand at an abysmal 3-10-1. Yes, that means at one point they were 3-3-1. Matt Patricia needs to pray he is around to make the big come 2020.
4. Washington Redskins
Washington is another team has keeps threatening to play itself out of a top five draft pick. Washington put a scare into Philadelphia in Week 15 before finally falling to 3-11 with a 37-27 loss. Washington has division rivals the Giants and Cowboys left. The game against Big Blue could have major draft slotting implications.
3. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins played themselves back into the race for the second pick by losing badly to the New York Giants. That leaves us with three teams sitting at 3-11 with two weeks left.
2. New York Giants
The New York Giants should be thrilled their brass went to Daniel Jones over Eli Manning early in the season. The veteran might have lifted Big Blue out of running for the second pick in the draft. He made them put a scare into the Eagles and Sunday they thrashed Miami. Strength of schedule has the Giants in second … for now.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals showed they were ticked at the Patriots for their videotaping games and went ahead 10-7 after the first quarter Sunday. The momentum didn’t prevail and the Patriots outscored woeful Cincinnati 27-3 the rest of the way. The Bengals are at Miami and then play host to Cleveland to end the regular season. A loss in Week 16 would assure them the first pick in 2020. At least they can clinch something.
