Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Order updated after Raiders-Broncos result.
With the first two positions in the NFL Draft closed even before the start of Week 17, the best the Atlanta Falcons could do after losing 44-27 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was to get third place – if the Houston Texans managed to take down the Titans of Tennessee at the end of the day.
Unfortunately for Atlanta, the Texans lost and now the Falcons officially hold the No. 4 pick in the April draft. Even though Houston and Atlanta end up with the 4 to 12 year old brands, Texans have the best choice (which is owned by the Miami Dolphins) because of the lesser strength of the schedule. Atlanta never had the fourth overall choice in its recruiting history.
As of now, the top five choices are blocked.
The choices us. 6-18 – teams that do not qualify for playoff places – will be completed at the conclusion of Sunday night’s game between Washington and Philadelphia.
The order is decided by the strength of your opponents’ schedule. Other tiebreakers include split tie, conference tie, interconference tie and then draw. Remember that the NFL has expanded the playoff format to seven teams from each conference starting this year.
Below is the draft of the 18 teams that would not make the playoffs if the season ended today, according to Tankathon.