The Los Angeles Chargers had a 49ers advantage over the Raiders loss on Thursday night.
San Francisco (5–8) has not yet officially moved away from the playoff controversy, but it’s only a matter of time. Except for the highly unlikely combination of results, the ruling NFC champs will not qualify for the post ason sun.
Of course, that doesn’t mean 49 people have nothing left at stake. Playoffs with all, but denied, arguably the best thing that can happen with San Francisco during the final three weeks of a regular season is an improvement in draft conditions. The 49 Leagues still have the strongest rosters in the league when they are healthy and they can add to that with a relatively high first-round pick.
The Chargers couldn’t change the status of the Raiders ’loss to the 4949 draft, as they would still be the 12th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft if the season ended today. He did, however, slightly increase his chances of being able to advance to the San Francisco order.
With the win, the Chargers improved to 5–9 and came in ninth overall pick in the draft. They are now one of five teams with five wins this season, along with the 49ers, the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions and the Denver Broncos – all of whom are going 5-8 over the weekend.
In addition, there are five other NFL teams that have four wins to date, including the Dallas Cowboys, whose 49 players face off on Sunday.
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The Cowboys (-) are definitely the easiest opponents left on the 49ers’ schedule, as they will face the Ari Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively. San Francisco is a little more beloved than Dallas, but with the inconsistency the 49ers were on quarterback, with all their injuries, it is not certain that they will win. With the loss, San Francisco will likely be on the top-eight pick by the end of the season.
Of course, even if the 49s beat the Cowboys, the Chargers’ victory still helps. There is very little of a major hurdle for the teams, and every win made by a team currently sitting ahead of the 49ers in the draft order can only increase their chances of advancing.
And with some of those teams scheduled to face each other in the final week, San Francisco just has a great chance to do that. For example, Chargers L.A. Will face the Broncos in Week 16, and the Cowboys will play the Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1) and the Giants in their final two games.
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Depending on how everything is shaken, 49ers can add multiple places in the draft order. And with the top QB prospects expected to leave as soon as possible, this could be the best thing that could happen to them at the moment.
Here is the full 2021 NFL draft order, as things currently stand:
- New York Jets (0-13)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)
- Dallas Cowboys (4-9)
- Carolina Panthers (4-9)
- Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
- Miami Dolphins (by Houston Texans (4-9))
- Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1)
- LA Chargers (5-9)
- NY Giants (5-8)
- Detroit Lions (5-8)
- San Francisco 49ers (5-8)
- Denver Broncos (5-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
- Chicago Bears (6-7)
- New England Patriots (6-7)
- Las Vegas Riders (7-7)
- Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
