NFL draft order: Redskins, Giants will face off with second pick up for grabs

The Washington Redskins’ loss Sunday coupled with the New York Giants’ win means the loser of their meeting next week will be in perfect shape to land the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2020.

Both NFC East clubs are 3-11 through 15 weeks ahead of their Week 16 game at FedEx Field. The Giants beat the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, creating a three-way tie at 3-11.

All ties, whether it involves two teams or more, are first determined by strength of schedule. After Sunday’s slate of games, the Giants had a .473 strength of schedule and Miami and Washington were tied at .493.

Due to new rules for draft order tie-breaking, the Dolphins’ and Redskins’ order would be determined by their head-to-head meeting. In the past, the order of two teams from opposite conferences that had matching records and strengths of schedule would have been determined by a coin flip.

But since the Redskins beat the Dolphins back in Week 6, the Dolphins would be awarded the better draft pick in this scenario.

The Cincinnati Bengals lost to the New England Patriots to drop to 1-13. One more loss in the final two weeks is all it will take for Cincinnati to clinch the top overall pick in 2020 and the first opportunity to take Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow.

That’s why the Redskins-Giants game is so important. With Cincinnati expected to draft a new franchise quarterback, star Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young could go as early as No. 2.

But nothing will be decided for certain next Sunday in Landover. Things can still change depending on Week 17 results, as well as what Miami does. The Dolphins’ final two games come against the Bengals and Patriots.

Here’s the 2020 draft order ahead of “Monday Night Football” on Dec. 16:

1. Cincinnati Bengals (1-13)

2. New York Giants (3-11, .473 strength of schedule)

3. Miami Dolphins (3-11, .493 SOS)

4. Washington Redskins (3-11, .493 SOS)

5. Detroit Lions (3-10-1)

6. Arizona Cardinals (4-9-1)

7. New York Jets (5-9, .473 SOS)

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9, .475 SOS)

9. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9, .504 SOS)

10. Denver Broncos (5-9, .527 SOS)