The NFL enters Week 12 with a few changes in the top ten of the draft, with several teams playing their way out of prime position. Which teams held steady and dropped in the standings through no fault of their own in last week’s action? Week 11 saw another change in the 2026 draft order, with a sleepy seven teams competing for the honor. What teams will be thankful for the holiday break with draft position locked in?

Chasing The First Pick In The 2026 Draft: The Sleepy Seven Plus One
1. Tennessee Titans (1-9)

SOS: .569

Week 12 Opponent: HOME vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Titans held serve after yet another demoralizing loss to Houston, but they did score points this time, losing a hard-fought 16-13 battle. Their strength of schedule makes losing imperative since the teams below them have worse SOS. Week 12 sees another home game against a vastly superior opponent needing a get-right game. Seattle comes to Nashville after a closely contested loss to the Rams. Sam Darnold started the season off amid immense hype but has tailed off over the past several weeks. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is among the league’s best receivers and will look to continue his OPOY campaign against a severely weakened secondary. Tennessee’s passing game is dealing with terrible injuries and will be hard-pressed to keep up. Sunday could be a trap game for a Seattle team changing multiple time zones and facing Minnesota in Week 13.

2. New York Giants (2-9)

SOS: .543

Week 12 Opponent: AWAY @ Detroit Lions

New York put up a brave fight against the inconsistent Packers in Week 11 but ultimately fell 27-20 in Jameis Winston’s first start in a few seasons. Interim head coach Mike Kafka did well in his first audition, getting the Giants competitive. Week 12 presents a formidable test for the Lions, who are smarting from a controversial loss to the Eagles. The impending visit to Ford Field will likely end in a loss for the G-Men as they prepare for a Monday night showdown in Foxboro to kick off December. Detroit must be careful to avoid the trappings of home as it prepares for the Thanksgiving visit from the same Packers that the Giants faced in Week 11. Can the Giants keep the heat on Tennessee in the chase for the top pick?

3. Cleveland Browns (2-8)

SOS: .483

Week 12 Opponent: AWAY @ Las Vegas Raiders

Well, it finally happened. The dull roar for arguably the most famous fifth-round selection in recent memory became a full-throttle rock concert last Sunday. Now the traveling circus of Shedeur Sanders goes west to face the similarly terrible Raiders, searching for answers at quarterback. Through no fault of his own, Dillon Gabriel is out as a starter due to a concussion. Myles Garrett remains a terror for opposing offenses, racking up ten sacks in the past three games, including four last week. Cleveland is in a prime position to escalate its chase for the top pick should the top teams pull off unlikely upsets.

4. New Orleans Saints (2-8)

SOS: .494

Week 12 Opponent: HOME vs. Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans saw its grip on the first overall selection slip over the past couple of weeks after a bye and a surprise upset win. Can they get back in the chase with a home contest against eternal blood rival Atlanta? The Falcons are slumping significantly and are themselves mired in the top ten, which they owe to the Rams. Atlanta needs a win just to keep the heat off of head coach Raheem Morris. No two fanbases in the NFL hold each other in such virulent and volatile contempt as the Saints and Falcons. Draft position is at stake in this low-stakes matchup that Los Angeles will monitor closely.

5. New York Jets (2-8)

SOS: .526

Week 12 Opponent: AWAY @ Baltimore Ravens

The haphazard Jets travel to a red-hot Ravens team that needs to keep on winning to secure yet another AFC North title. New York is in familiar territory with another ongoing quarterback quandary with the benching of Justin Fields. Baltimore will get to see former friend and longtime journeyman Tyrod Taylor at the helm of the offense that doesn’t have a lot of hope. It could be a trap game for the Ravens on Sunday, with the Jets having a new QB bump and Baltimore having to play hated division rival Cincinnati on Thanksgiving. Aaron Glenn’s men will likely endure another loss, however.

6. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)

SOS: .551

Week 12 Opponent: HOME vs. Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas is this week’s epicenter of the chase for the first pick as they host the Browns in a must-lose contest to keep their pursuit alive. The Raiders, like most teams on this list, contain quarterback issues, with Geno Smith not living up to his contract. Vegas is coming off a not-so thrilling 33-16 beatdown by America’s Team on Monday, so they’ll be looking to redeem themselves. They need the win, as Week 13 brings a matchup with the Chargers, who are coming off a bye. Can the Raiders find the wherewithal to beat a celebrated rookie quarterback who had an inconsistent showing in his debut? Will the defense show up for once?

7. Washington Commanders (3-8)

SOS: .511

Week 12 Opponent: BYE

The Commanders mercifully enter a bye week after losing seven of eight contests, including last week’s heartbreak to the Miami Dolphins in Madrid. Dan Quinn’s team needs a reset in the worst way, and a top ten draft pick is well worth it if they can keep the quarterback upright. Washington takes on the streaking Broncos at home on Sunday Night Football to close out November in a battle of former Oregon quarterbacks.

8. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta 3-7)

SOS: .511

Week 12 Opponent: (Atlanta) AWAY @ New Orleans

Atlanta ran into notorious Falcons killer Bryce Young in Week 11 and paid the price with a loss. Doubly worse, they lost Michael Penix to an unfortunate knee injury. The Falcons owe the Rams this selection after trading their 2026 first-round selection in an ill-fated attempt to address their pass rush woes. To make things even more dire, Atlanta also lost star receiver Drake London to injury. Arthur Blank’s team is staring into the abyss of another lost season, so they need a win desperately against a woeful Saints team.

Main Photo: [Jeff Romance] – Imagn Images