Giants vs. Raiders: A Clash with the No. 1 Pick on the Line
It’s not often that a Week 17 matchup between two 2-13 teams carries this much weight-but here we are. When the New York Giants head to Allegiant Stadium to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, it’s not just pride on the line. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is in play, and both franchises are staring down a pivotal moment in their rebuilds.
Let’s set the stage: both the Giants and Raiders are riding nine-game losing streaks. Not exactly the kind of momentum you want in December, but in this case, the stakes are different.
The Giants currently hold the top spot in the draft order thanks to a slightly weaker strength of schedule (.530) compared to the Raiders (.540). That edge puts New York in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick-at least for now.
If the Giants lose to the Raiders on Sunday and then fall to the Cowboys in Week 18, they’ll secure the top pick for the first time since 1965. That’s a long drought for a franchise that’s been desperate for a reset. And with the front office already pulling the plug on head coach Brian Daboll, it’s clear the organization is bracing for a major overhaul.
The Raiders, meanwhile, could be headed for their own shake-up. There’s chatter that Pete Carroll could be out after the season, which would signal a fresh start in Las Vegas as well. That makes Sunday’s matchup more than just a battle of bottom-dwellers-it’s a potential turning point for two franchises in flux.
Oddsmakers have Las Vegas as a slight 1.5-point favorite, but let’s be honest: this game isn’t about the spread. It’s about what comes next. The No. 1 pick means a shot at a franchise-changing talent, and for two teams that have struggled to find direction, that opportunity is everything.
For the Giants, a two-win season would be their first since 1974, back when the NFL played just 14 games. That’s how rare-and how significant-this kind of season is in New York. It’s a low point, no doubt, but it’s also a chance to hit the reset button in a big way.
So while this game might not have playoff implications or national buzz, it could shape the future of two storied franchises. The stakes are high.
The rosters are struggling. And the outcome could decide who gets the first crack at reshaping their identity through the 2026 NFL Draft.