Power Rankings: Are Commanders the NFL's Worst Team?
The Washington Commanders have just one game left - not only this season, but potentially in coach Ron Rivera's tenure.
Washington will enter the season finale once again removed from the playoff picture, extending its postseason drought to three years.
At 4-12 and as of losers of seven straight games, the Commanders' season has spiraled ... so much to the point they're tied for the second-worst record in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals.
And in Sports Illustrated's latest power rankings, Washington ranked last amongst those three and ahead of just the Carolina Panthers (2-14), as the Commanders slotted in at No. 31 before Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
"What a fitting end to the Ron Rivera era it would be if the Commanders somehow clipped the desperate-for-seeding Cowboys in the season finale, also costing the franchise a shot at drafting in the No. 2 spot," Sports Illustrated writes.
The Cowboys, who boast a record of 11-5 and were ranked No. 5 league-wide, need a win to secure the NFC East crown and No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) signals to the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Similarly, Washington needs a loss to cement its own status at No. 2 - in the 2024 NFL Draft order, where it currently holds the second overall pick. New England and Arizona own No. 3 and 4, respectively.
Should the Commanders beat the Cowboys, they could pick as low as No. 5 overall, if the Patriots, Cardinals and New York Giants all lose.
Each of those teams are at home - the Patriots host the New York Jets, the Cardinals welcome the Seattle Seahawks, and the New York Giants will play the Philadelphia Eagles.
The need for Washington's ownership of the No. 2 pick stems from the draft's quarterback class, in which USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye are projected as the top two selections.
The Chicago Bears, by way of the Carolina Panthers, own the No. 1 overall pick, and whether they make or trade the selection, Williams is the favorite to be the pick.
Thus, Maye's left for No. 2 - making it particularly valuable to own the selection.
LSU's Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy, is a strong consolation prize, but Williams and Maye have been considered the best options dating back to last summer.
The Commanders have started second-year pro Sam Howell for the entirety of this season and have received mix returns, with his first 11 games inspiring confidence but last five proving indicting on his prospects of being the starter next season.
So, the Commanders are still playing for something in Week 18 - but instead of a playoff berth, it's the right to draft Howell's replacement.
And if they live up to their billing as the league's second-worst team, should find themselves in position to do exactly that come Sunday night.
