Raiders close in on No. 1 overall draft pick with terrible performance against Giants

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws the ball over Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the first half of a NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. Photo by: Wade Vandervort

The Raiders finally came through for their fanbase in the penultimate game of the 2025-2026 season Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium.

Las Vegas never as much as threatened to win in a dismal 34-10 loss to the New York Giants. Extending a losing streak to 10 straight games is exactly what most of the silver and black faithful wanted, or at least what the most vocal subset wanted.

The Raiders are now a loss away, to the Kansas City Chiefs next week at Allegiant in the season finale, from earning the No. 1 overall pick the 2026 NFL Draft next April.

It would be the first time the Raiders have sat in the position since 2007 when they infamously chose LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

The Giants’ defeat showed once again that the Raiders could really use a variety of reinforcements in the draft. New York came into its second game ever in Las Vegas — following a dominant 30-6 Raiders’ win in then interim coach Antonio Pierce’s debut in 2023 — looking just as destitute as the home team with both sides at 2-13 on the season.

But the Giants immediately proved they were the more capable bunch and never trailed despite Raiders coach Pete Carroll promising his team’s best effort all week.

New York’s defense forced a three-and-out on Las Vegas’ first offensive possession, and then linebacker Bobby Okereke intercepted a pass from quarterback Geno Smith on the second.

It was the first of two interceptions by Smith, both in Giants’ territory, as safety Dante Belton also had a takeaway early in the fourth quarter.

Smith left the game with a shoulder injury after taking a hit on the play, finishing with 176 yards on 20-for-28 passing. Backup Kenny Pickett relieved Smith and completed both of his pass attempts for 16 yards while also scrambling for a 10-yard gain, though it was wiped out due to a holding penalty on new starting guard Atonio Mafi.

Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty wasn’t much better a week after a breakout performance, posting 18 touches for 73 yards.

The Giants moved the ball more smoothly all afternoon. They put up 155 total rushing yards on 31 carries, with running back Devin Singletary pushing in their initial 1-yard touchdown before rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart scored twice himself on the ground.

Dart found holes all over the Raiders’ defensive backfield, rediscovering a rhythm after a rough past moth with 207 passing yards on 22-for-30 passing. Wan’Dale Robinson was his favorite target, hauling in 11 catches for 113 yards.

With star tight end Brock Bowers held out with a knee injury, position-mate Michael Mayer was the Raiders’ top performer with nine receptions for 89 yards. The third-year player out of Notre Dame converted a fourth-and-6 play around midfield on the Raiders’ only touchdown drive, rumbling for his longest reception of 19 yards down the middle of the field late in the third quarter.

Las Vegas converted another fourth down minutes later, to rookie receiver Dont’e Thornton, before Smith then stepped up in the pocket and found Tyler Lockett for a 4-yard touchdown pass on 4^th-and-goal.

That cut the Giants’ lead to 20-10, but no one rooting for the draft pick over the victory needed worry. Cornerback Deonte Banks returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to bury the Raiders for once and for all.

The Giants have some hope going forward with a promising young player at the sport’s most important position in Dart. Perhaps the Raiders’ loss will lead to them finding their own version — likely Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore.

The lopsided loss to the lowly Giants showed the Raiders have a long way to go but, for one day, it might have been a good thing.  

Check back later for more coverage of the Raiders’ loss to the Giants.