The New York Giants lost this Sunday again, officially making their record 2-9. New York has not won a game in over two months. This is the first time in the history of the franchise that the Giants did not win a single game in October and November.
The Giants hit a new low. In fact, they are now the lowest team in the division and the second-lowest team in the NFL. After Sunday’s loss against Chicago, the Giants are 4th in the NFC East and hold the 2nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Washington Redskins previously held the 2nd overall pick. But Washington’s win against Detroit and New York’s loss against Chicago swapped the two rivals’ picks. If the season ended today, the Giants would have the best chance to land Chase Young. But there are still 5 games left to play this season, including one pivotal Week 16 matchup against the Redskins.
Week 16 In Washington
The Week 16 matchup between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins could end up being the “Chase Young Bowl.” The loser of this game will likely separate themself from the other team as the leader in the Race for Chase Young.
The Giants and Redskins have the same 2-9 record right now. Both teams have challenging games remaining on their schedule while fighting for the second overall pick. Additionally, the Cincinnati Bengals’ loss today gives them a “near-insurmountable two-game lead” on the 1st overall pick.
Washington will play the 5-6 Panthers next week, then the 8-2 Packers, then the division rival 5-6 Eagles. After that tough stretch of games, the Redskins will face off against the Giants who will be coming off of a slightly more relaxed schedule.
The Giants will also play the Packers and Eagles within the next three weeks. Next week the Giants will host the Packers, then travel to Philadelphia the following week. The Giants’ schedule eases up after that, however, with a Week 15 home game against the 2-9 Miami Dolphins.
There is a good chance that the Redskins end up 2-12 by Week 16, and the Giants end up 3-11. This would make the loser of this game have a higher draft pick than the other and the right to draft Chase Young (assuming the Bengals draft a quarterback first overall).
The Loser’s Prize: Chase Young
Chase Young is the 2020 NFL Draft’s best prospect. Ohio State’s edge rusher has been nearly unstoppable this season. This Saturday, Chase Young set the Ohio State University single-season sack record.
https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/1198293901003706371
Young has totaled 16.5 sacks this season with 19.5 tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus notes that Chase Young has the highest pass-rush win rate in college football at 31.4%. He has spent much time this season in the face of the quarterback and has even forced 7 fumbles. Chase Young has done all of this in only 9 games.
Chase’s most dominant performance was this week’s record-setting performance against Penn State University. Against the Nittany Lions, Young 5 pressures, including 3 sacks and a forced fumble.
All eyes will be on Chase Young towards the final stretch of both the collegiate and NFL seasons. He will be one of the most highly-coveted defensive prospects in recent memory, and the loser of the Week 16 Chase Young Bowl might be better off in the long run throwing in the towel in that game.