Giants' Rooting Guide for 2024 NFL Draft Implications of Week 13

The New York Giants should spend their Week 13 bye rooting to move up a spot or two in the 2024 NFL draft order.

New York enters the weekend with the No. 6 overall pick in the projected draft order and tied with the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders at 4-8.

Washington has one more week until its bye, while the Bears are off along with the Giants and four other teams.

A Commanders win over the Miami Dolphins is very unlikely, but that is the rooting position the Giants are in to improve their draft stock.

The Giants have to hope some teams in the collection of sides at 4-7 pick up their fifth wins on Sunday so that there is some separation between themselves and others in the race for top five picks.

Commanders over Dolphins

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 23: Sam Howell #14 of the Washington Commanders throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

No one actually thinks the Commanders will beat the Dolphins.

But that is what the Giants have to root for to get upward movement in the draft order by the end of Sunday.

The Commanders can't bank on the extra rest gained from playing on Thanksgiving Day because the Dolphins beat the New York Jets on Black Friday.

Giants fans have to hope Sam Howell plays the best game of his career and the Commanders embrace the role of spoiler.

Miami has far more playoff aspirations than the Commanders, and if that shows in Sunday's game, the Giants will have to wait to leapfrog their NFC East rival in the draft order.

Buccaneers over Panthers

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 26: Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempts to catch the ball during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Here's a much more realistic result to root for, Giants fans.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should move out of the group of four-win teams with a home triumph over the Carolina Panthers.

Not even the interim coach bump can save the Panthers right now. They have all sorts of offensive issues around 2023 top pick Bryce Young.

Carolina is more focused on the offseason and which coach it will hire than winning games, and on Sunday, that should benefit the Giants.

Tampa Bay is technically still playing for a playoff spot. The Seattle Seahawks' loss on Thursday opened up the NFC wild-card race even more.

A Tampa Bay home win on Sunday would move it one game behind the Seahawks in the win column.

Chargers over Patriots

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INGLEWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Justin Herbert #10 of the Chargers during the Los Angeles Chargers game versus the Baltimore Ravens on November 26, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Kevin Reece/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The New England Patriots are now two games back of the Giants and it does not seem like they will win one game, let alone two.

It isn't worth the energy to hope the Patriots win and give the Giants a shot at the top three, so instead, the Giants should root for the Los Angeles Chargers to get out of the four-win club.

The Chargers have been one of the biggest disappointments this season, but Justin Herbert and Co. should still be able to beat New England.

Los Angeles and Tampa Bay are the two most likely victors among the group of four-win teams in Week 13.

The New York Jets are at home against the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons and the Tennessee Titans face an Indianapolis Colts team in the final AFC playoff position.