Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 2018 NFL Draft Week 15 rooting guide

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: A view of San Francisco 49ers helmets on the bench during their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: A view of San Francisco 49ers helmets on the bench during their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants passes the ball against Beau Allen #94 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 24, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants passes the ball against Beau Allen #94 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 24, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

With two wins on the year, the New York Giants probably won’t get the No. 1 overall pick either. But they’re in prime position for the second selection.

Things will stay that way if New York can’t beat their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, in Week 15. And while we should all expect this to happen, the 11-2 Eagles are going to be without their star quarterback, Carson Wentz (ACL), for the rest of 2017.

That means backup QB Nick Foles, who is 2-0 versus the Giants in his career.

But let’s assume New York wins here. The Giants currently own a 1.38 strength-of-schedule number, per Pro Football Reference, and higher numbers mean a tougher schedule. Meanwhile, the three-win 49ers are at 0.12.

Lower strengths of schedules get the edge in the tie-breaker, meaning if both San Francisco and New York finished with three wins apiece, and the SOS stayed the same, the Niners would get the higher pick.

So go ahead and pull for the Giants.