The San Francisco 49ers' 20-14 upset victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday could have been devastating to the team's projected spot in next year's draft order. Luckily, the Niners Faithful can have its cake and eat it too.
San Francisco remains in the top spot despite the addition to the win column.
The 49ers' record improved to 3-10 but so did the record of the Oakland Raiders, who beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. San Francisco has a weaker strength of schedule (.488), which is the tiebreaker used if two or more teams have matching records, compared to Oakland (.569).
The Arizona Cardinals also have a 3-10 record with a .515 strength of schedule. If the season ended right now, which it does not, they will own the No. 2 overall pick while the Raiders would be selecting at No. 3. Had Oakland lost, it would currently be alone in the No. 1 slot.
The 49ers have three games remaining on their schedule. They will face the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears at home over the next two weeks and then finish the season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
Update: Here is the updated order and strength of schedule following Sunday night's game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears.
Rams-Bears result doesn't change the top of the draft order if the season ended today. Here is where things stand for the #49ers. Slight drop in strength of schedule for Niners and Raiders but no movement. pic.twitter.com/7vTxq1sjqE
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) December 10, 2018
And if you count the entire season's strength of schedule (including opponents not played yet), which most analysts do not, here is where the top of the order would stand. pic.twitter.com/uGUhQkbgCR
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) December 10, 2018