Historic Raiders–Giants showdown gives Tom Brady the edge in Fernando Mendoza sweepstakes

Both the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants entered the 2025 NFL season with hopes to better their last campaigns.

Now they are both vying for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

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However, after the dust settled in the desert in their historic matchup, pitting two teams each entering with nine-plus game losing streaks for the first time in NFL history, it was the Giants who came away with a 34–10 win.

Or was it the Raiders who actually won the day? With the loss, they now have an 80% chance to secure the first overall pick.

The Raiders fell to 2-14 and the Giants improved to 3-13.

Minority owner Tom Brady can now begin looking ahead to the draft and lend his insight and thoughts on who the Silver and Black should take with the first overall pick.

All eyes will be on Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza throughout the pre-draft process, along with Dante Moore, if and when the Oregon quarterback declares.

The Raiders and general manager John Spytek may even decide to trade the pick for a handful of assets. Las Vegas isn’t just competent quarterback play away from competing for championships; their entire roster needs an overhaul.

Raiders accused of tanking with Bowers and Crosby shut down for the season

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But both teams entered the contest looking more depleted than usual, especially the Raiders.

After star tight end Brock Bowers was effectively shut down by the organization after being placed on injured reserve along with safety Jeremy Chinn on Wednesday, the Raiders then informed Maxx Crosby that his season was over.

Whilst Las Vegas cited their reasoning for this as being down to the knee injury that he has been battling for much of this season, the timing of them doing so left many fans questioning whether they were going all in on tanking for next season – and not for the first time.

It was only on Wednesday when Crosby candidly spoke about not caring about the Raiders getting the No. 1 pick.

“Yeah, I don’t give a f*** about the [No. 1] pick. I don’t play for that,” he said. “That’s not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world and that’s what I focus on everyday.”

Upon learning that he was done for the season, despite reportedly wanting to play, it was revealed by Raiders head coach Pete Carroll that the five-time Pro Bowler had left the team’s facility.

As news later emerged that Crosby is expected to undergo surgery on his knee, the All-Pro edge rusher took to his Instagram story where he posted video clips of himself on Saturday jumping on the trampoline and playing basketball, in what some have claimed to be him sending a message to the Raiders.

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Giants have been injury-laden all year

For New York, it feels like forever ago when the Giants had a Super Bowl-winning veteran in Russell Wilson starting under center for the G-Men, before he was benched after a torrid 0-3 start in favor of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

But during Dart’s tenure in the starting role, the former Ole Miss superstar has had to contend with his own injuries – assessed for five concussions on the year – and to his receiving corps, with wide receiver Malik Nabers and rookie running back Cam Skattebo both lost to season-ending injuries early in the season.

The Giants currently hold the second overall pick, so it isn’t all bad in the Big Apple.

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