Giants vs. Raiders: A Battle for the Bottom With Big Draft Implications
It’s not the prettiest matchup on the Week 17 slate, but don’t let the records fool you - there’s plenty on the line when the 2-13 Giants head to Las Vegas to take on the equally struggling Raiders. Both teams are riding nine-game losing streaks, and both are staring down the barrel of a top draft pick. This one’s being dubbed “The Coal Bowl” - fitting, given the stakes and the timing - and while it won’t shake up the playoff picture, it could shape the future of one of these franchises.
Let’s be real: this game is less about pride and more about positioning. The Giants currently hold pole position for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But if they manage to win in Vegas, their odds of landing that top spot drop all the way down to 6%. For a team that’s been staring at the future since midseason, that’s a significant shift.
And for fans already dreaming of franchise-altering talent at the top of the draft board, this game suddenly carries a lot of weight.
Giants’ Offense Searching for Answers
New York is coming off a 16-13 loss to the Vikings - a game where the offense, led by rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, looked completely out of sync. Dart struggled to find rhythm, and the offense as a whole seemed haunted by the ghosts of missed opportunities. The Giants didn’t lean into play-action, didn’t stretch the field, and didn’t offer Dart much help schematically or from the offensive line.
That line, already battered, is likely to be without star left tackle Andrew Thomas again this week - a major concern with Maxx Crosby on the other side. Expect New York to use extra protection sets, including 12 personnel and chip blocks from tight ends or backs, to keep Crosby from wrecking the game plan. They’ll need it.
Raiders Nearly Snap the Streak
Las Vegas, meanwhile, showed some fight last week. They pushed a playoff-contending Texans team to the brink, ultimately falling 23-21 in Houston.
The return of Geno Smith under center brought a spark, but it was rookie running back Ashton Jeanty who stole the show with 128 yards on 24 carries. Jeanty’s emergence gives the Raiders a bit of juice offensively, and against a Giants defense that’s giving up 27.5 points per game - sixth-worst in the league - there’s a real opportunity to exploit some matchups.
Defensively, Patrick Graham’s unit kept Houston in check for much of the game. Graham, now the Raiders’ defensive coordinator, faces his former team this week, adding a little extra intrigue to an otherwise bleak matchup.
Raiders Defense: Flawed but Feisty
Statistically, the Raiders’ defense has been a mixed bag. They’re giving up 25.7 points per game (eighth-most in the league), but they’re middle-of-the-pack in yardage allowed - 326.1 per game.
Against the run, they rank 17th (116.5 yards/game), and they’re also 17th against the pass (209.7 yards/game). The real Achilles’ heel?
Third downs. Las Vegas owns the league’s worst third-down defense, allowing conversions at a 48.74% clip.
That’s a glaring issue, especially when paired with a red zone defense that ranks 21st in touchdown percentage.
The pass rush starts - and largely ends - with Maxx Crosby. He’s the tone-setter, the disruptor, and the engine of this defense.
With 53 pressures, 10 sacks, and a league-leading 28 tackles for loss, Crosby is a one-man wrecking crew. He also leads all edge defenders and defensive linemen with 46 STOPs - a stat that tracks tackles that result in a successful play for the defense.
He lines up primarily on the left side, meaning he’ll see plenty of former teammate Jermaine Eluemunor, but don’t be surprised if he flips sides to hunt matchups against rookie Marcus Mbow.
Tyree Wilson (28 pressures) and Malcolm Koonce (24) offer some support off the edge, but beyond Crosby, the Raiders don’t have a consistent game-wrecker up front. Jonah Laulu, Adam Butler, and Tonka Hemingway rotate in, but none have made a major impact.
At linebacker, Devin White leads the group with 55 STOPs, though his season hasn’t been without drama - including a sideline spat with Crosby over goal-line responsibilities. Jamal Adams and Elandon Roberts round out the linebacker group, though both are clearly in the twilight of their careers. White, still just 27, has had to carry more of the load.
Secondary Matchups to Watch
In the secondary, former Packers first-rounder Eric Stokes is playing solid football. He’s allowing just a 55.6% catch rate on 45 targets, with four pass breakups.
He’ll likely see plenty of Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins. On the other side, rookie Darien Porter has held his own, giving up a 60.7% catch rate on 28 targets.
Safety Jeremy Chinn is a physical presence in the slot, but he’s been vulnerable in coverage - allowing a 77.1% catch rate. That’s a matchup the Giants could look to exploit with Wan’Dale Robinson, particularly on quick-hitting choice routes. Lonnie Johnson has seen increased snaps at safety, logging a season-high 45 last week, while Isaiah Pola-Mao continues to rotate in.
What to Expect from the Giants Offense
The big question is whether Mike Kafka will open things up for Dart. Against the Vikings, the offense was conservative and predictable - not a great combination for a rookie quarterback trying to find his footing. Injuries on the offensive line complicate things, but this Raiders defense can be attacked, particularly on third downs and in the red zone.
Kafka has to find a better balance. The run game should be the foundation, especially with the line banged up, but that doesn’t mean Dart can’t be trusted to make plays.
Play-action, quick throws, and schemed touches for Robinson should all be in the mix. If the Giants can’t move the ball against this defense, it raises serious questions about the direction of the offense heading into the offseason.
Final Thoughts: A Game With Draft Ramifications
It’s not a game that will light up the highlight reels, but Giants-Raiders carries real weight. The winner likely plays themselves out of the No. 1 pick, while the loser inches closer to a potential franchise-changing selection in April. Expect the Giants to compete, but if the Raiders can replicate last week’s effort - especially on the ground with Jeanty and with Crosby creating havoc up front - they’ve got a real shot to snap their skid.
And if that happens, the Giants may just find themselves holding the draft's golden ticket.