The Arizona Cardinals are 3-11 and take on the Chicago Bears in Week 16 on the road. The Bears are four-point home favorites.
Because the Cardinals have been eliminated from postseason contention, most are now looking at what pick they will have in the first round.
They have two — their own and the first-round pick of the Houston Texans, acquired in a draft-day trade this year. Those picks are currently No. 3 and No. 17 overall entering Week 16.
The following games on the Week 16 schedule matter for the Cardinals and their draft status.
Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
The Texans are playing without quarterback C.J. Stroud for the second straight week. a Texans loss drops them to 8-7 and will keep them out of the playoff picture and perhaps will move them up in the draft order. Since the Cardinals own their pick, it is much better for the Texans to lose.
Cardinals fans are Browns fans in Week 16.
Washington Commanders at New York Jets
The Commanders are the only four-win team in the league, meaning that if the Cardinals beat the Bears and the Commanders lose to the Jets, both the Cardinals and Commanders would have the same record. But because of strength of schedule, the Commanders would move ahead of the Cardinals in draft order.
So, whether the Cardinals win or lose in Chicago, Arizona will remain ahead of the Commanders if they beat the Jets.
Cardinals fans are Commanders fans this week.
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
The Patriots have the same record as the Cardinals at 3-11. They have the second pick in the draft because of a weaker strength of schedule.
If the Patriots beat the Broncos and the Cardinals lose to the Bears, the Cardinals would move up to the second overall pick in the draft.
Cardinals fans are definitely Patriots fans this week.
Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have the worst record in the league at 2-12. Their pick in the draft, which now belongs to the Bears because of a draft-day trade this year, is first overall.
They picked up their second win a week ago. If they mess around and beat the Packers, giving them three on the season, and the Cardinals lose, they would have the same record.
The Panthers have a weaker strength of schedule so would remain ahead of them in draft order, but it would put them in position to potentially drop below the Cardinals in the final two games of the season.
Cardinals fans are Panthers fans this week and probably every week for the rest of the season.
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