The Buffalo Bills’ latest loss has guaranteed the team two things: their worst season since 2013 and a top-12 pick in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft. The 24-12 loss to the New England Patriots leaves Buffalo with a record of 5-10, tied with five other teams, including the New York Giants. Because the Giants have the exact same strength-of-schedule as Buffalo, a coin flip would determine who gets the seventh pick and who receives the eighth.
Here’s where the top eight spots in the draft currently stand—pending Monday Night Football—along with the accompanying record for each team:
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-12
- Oakland Raiders: 3-11*
- San Francisco 49ers: 4-11
- New York Jets: 4-11
- Detroit Lions: 5-10
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-10
- New York Giants: 5-10**
- Buffalo Bills: 5-10**
*Pending the results of Monday Night Football
** A coin toss would decide who picks first
With only the Miami Dolphins left on the schedule, the Bills have guaranteed themselves a top-12 draft pick. The question for the final game of the season is if that pick will be inside of the top ten. The Raiders, 49ers, Jets and Giants will all be playing teams that have already secured spots in the playoffs, so their opponents may be willing to sit some or all of their starters. Furthermore, the Lions and Buccaneers will be playing the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons—both very winnable games.
Buffalo may see a motivated Miami team next Sunday, because although the Dolphins were just eliminated from the playoffs with their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team will likely be playing for coach Adam Gase’s continued employment. Stephen Ross might already have his finger on the “reboot” button, meaning the entire Dolphins organization will be playing for their jobs in Orchard Park next week.
#Bills Week 16 MNF and Week 17 draft order rooting interest guide and potential draft pick ranges for fans in the event of both a Bills win or a loss vs. Miami. Apologies in advance if this makes your brain go boom on the holiday: pic.twitter.com/p9w4pSsvhZ
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) December 24, 2018