Raiders-Chiefs, Bengals-Browns: Draft Impact Matchups
- Week 18 of the NFL season features several games with significant implications for the 2026 NFL Draft order.
- The NFL draft order is primarily determined by regular season record, with the teams having the worst records receiving the earliest picks. Hear's a breakdown:
- the primary tiebreaker is strength of schedule (weakest schedule picks earlier). Additional tiebreakers include division record, conference record, interconference record, and ultimately, a coin toss.
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NFL Draft Implications of week 18 Games
What Happened
Week 18 of the NFL season features several games with significant implications for the 2026 NFL Draft order. While some teams are battling for playoff contention, others are focused on securing the highest possible draft pick. Several teams with secured playoff spots are planning to rest starters, perhaps influencing game outcomes and, consequently, draft positioning.
How the NFL Draft Order is Steadfast
The NFL draft order is primarily determined by regular season record, with the teams having the worst records receiving the earliest picks. Hear’s a breakdown:
- picks 1-18: Non-playoff teams,ordered from worst to best record.
- picks 19-24: losing teams from the first round of the playoffs.
- Picks 25-28: Losing teams from the divisional round of the playoffs.
- Picks 29-30: Conference championship game losers.
- Pick 31: Super Bowl loser.
- Pick 32: Super Bowl winner.
Tiebreakers are used when teams have the same record. the primary tiebreaker is strength of schedule (weakest schedule picks earlier). Additional tiebreakers include division record, conference record, interconference record, and ultimately, a coin toss.
Key Teams and Their Draft Positions
Several teams are particularly focused on their draft positioning heading into Week 18:
| Team | Current Record | Current Draft Position | Potential Advancement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2-14 | 1 | cement top pick with a loss. |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 6-10 | 9 | Could climb to Top 10 with a loss. Max pick: 8. |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 6-10 | TBD | Impacted by Browns game. |
| Cleveland Browns | 4-12 | 6 | Could improve position with a loss. |
The Las Vegas Raiders, currently holding the No. 1 pick, are mathematically guaranteed a Top-2 selection. A loss to the Kansas City Chiefs would solidify their position at the top of the draft.
Coaches’ Perspectives
Despite the draft implications, coaches emphasize the importance of competing to win.
“I fight the thought that we would make decisions that would go in advance of winning,” - Pete Carroll,Las Vegas Raiders Coach
“It’s not where you want to be,but it is indeed where we are,” – Andy Reid,Kansas City Chiefs Coach
Upcoming Games and Their Impact
The week 18 matchup between the Raiders and Chiefs (Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST in Las Vegas) is particularly crucial. The Bengals-Browns game also holds draft implications, potentially benefiting the Browns while hindering the Bengals’ draft stock.