Giants' Rooting Guide for 2024 NFL Draft Implications of Week 11

It's been a season to forget for the New York Giants faithful in 2023, but there is a silver lining for 2024. As of last week, the Giants took over as the most likely team to earn the No. 1 pick, according to ESPN's FPI.

Unfortunately, that would take a lot more losing to close out this season. At 2-8, the Giants have some stiff competition for the league's worst record. The Panthers actually have the league's worst record at 1-8 this season while the Cardinals and Patriots are also sitting at 2-8.

The race is going to be worth watching, though. The 2024 draft class has some real talent at the top, including Marvin Harrison Jr. who would be a game-changing receiver for them moving forward.

Getting the top pick would present a great opportunity to either snag him, trade for a bounty of picks or start over at quarterback with Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

As great as that sounds, the G-Men still have to have a lot of things go their way. Here's a look at some Week 11 games that will have an impact on their chances.

Panthers over Cowboys

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Frank Reich

The Carolina Panthers are about to be weekly viewing for the Giants if both teams keep losing. With just one win on the season, the Panthers have the worst record in the league.

The good news is that they also don't have incentive to tank. After trading away multiple picks to move up the draft board and get Bryce Young, they don't have a pick in the first round this season.

It's obvious it would be useful to them, though. Young's learning curve has been steep and the Panthers just don't have the roster to compete right now.

The only potential good news for those rooting for the Panthers is that Frank Reich has taken playcalling duties back from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. Reich started the season calling plays but handed the responsibility to Brown before the bye week. Since then, the Panthers have scored 41 points over the last three games.

The offense was more successful when Reich was calling it, but it still wasn't great. They only score 21 or more points three times.

Regardless of who is calling the game, the Cowboys are a tough matchup. They have won three of the last four games and the one loss was on the road against the Eagles. Coming off a 49-17 win over the Giants, this is not likely the spot where Giants fans will get some good news.

Bears over Lions

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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Sometimes division rivalries make for unpredictable results. At least, that's going to be the hope for the Giants in this NFC North clash.

The Lions are in first place in the division at 7-2, but they've only played one NFC North games so far. Last season, the Bears only lost 31-30 in the first meeting before dropping the second meeting 41-10 in Week 17.

If there's a reason for optimism for Giants fans it is the return of Justin Fields. The Bears quarterback has been out for a month with a dislocated thumb but is expected to start on Sunday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

The Bears have actually won more games with Tyson Bagent (2) at quarterback than Fields (1), but the former first-round pick still gives them a higher ceiling with his rushing ability.

One of the Lions' only losses came to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens so there's a little bit of hope there that Fields can have a big debut and get a shocking win for a Bears team that doesn't have to tank to get the No. 1 pick.

They also own Carolina's pick. After beating them last week, that's their best shot at the top selection. At they very least, they should be motivated to make a statement against the division leader as Fields has a limited sample of games left to prove he should be the quarterback moving forward.

Cardinals over Texans

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 12: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Of the three teams the Giants need to root for this weekend, the Arizona Cardinals seem like the most likely to end up scratching out a few more wins. They earned a 25-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Kyler Murray's first game of the season.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Cardinals. Much like Fields, Murray might be in a situation where he's playing for his job down the stretch. If the Cardinals wind up with the top pick they'll have to figure out if they want to take advantage by starting over and shopping Murray this offseason.

If they can beat the Texans in Week 11, it would be a good step toward solidifying Murray as the future plan at quarterback. The Texans have been one of the most surprising teams in the league. They sit at 5-4 on the season with C.J. Stroud playing incredibly well.

Let's not forget that the Texans are just a few weeks removed from losing to the Carolina Panthers, though.

It will take a great performance from the Cardinals defense, but you can talk yourself into Arizona having a shot at the upset and getting further from the No. 1 pick here.