Oakland Raiders News: Week 13 Results Put Team One Step Closer To No.1 Overall NFL Draft Pick

The Oakland Raiders took a step back in the 2018 NFL standings in Week 13, meaning they are in a better position to get the No.1 overall pick in the 2019 draft. After losing at home to the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland is only tied with one other team for the worst record in football.

Oakland entered the weekend with the same 2-9 record as the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. While Oakland lost to Kansas City and San Francisco was blown out by the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season. The Cardinals won in Lambeau Field, defeating the Green Bay Packers 20-17.

The victory for the Cardinals put them a game ahead of the Raiders and 49ers. It even moved them behind the New York Jets in the upcoming draft order. New York is also 3-9 after 12 games.

Strength of schedule is used as the tiebreaker when determining the draft order. If two teams finish the season with the same record, the one that faced the easier schedule will be awarded the higher draft pick.

The Raiders face a difficult schedule to conclude the regular season. Their only game against a team that’s below .500 comes in Week 15 when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals. Oakland will host the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos in Week 14 and Week 16, respectively. They’ll visit the Chiefs in the season finale.

San Francisco won’t face a losing team the rest of the way. After hosting the Broncos, Seahawks and Chicago Bears during a three-game homestand, the 49ers will visit the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17.

Perhaps the Raiders or 49ers will manage to win in Week 17. It’s possible that both Kansas City and L.A. will have nothing to play for in the final week of the regular season.

Oakland owns three first-round picks in next year’s draft. San Francisco will get back quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo next season after he returns from a torn ACL.