Simply put: If the Panthers and Patriots finish with the same record, the team with the *LOWER* opponent winning percentage gets the higher draft pick. There now exists is a real chance that New England could snag the top pick if it finishes with the same record as Carolina if the strength of schedule number lands in the favor. The strength of schedule tiebreaker could ultimately swing which team gets the first pick. And that tie breaker could come in play when it comes time to see who picks first. But the Seahawks pulling off a come-from-behind win on Monday Night Football against the Eagles is a big deal because it gave the Panthers and Patriots the same opponents strength of schedule.
The combination of a Panthers win and Patriots loss in Week 15 closed Carolina’s lead in the reverse standings to just one game. At this point, you might see the Bears (via the Panthers) sitting atop the tank standings and wonder what is my beef with the Falcons and Eagles.
