When a loss feels like a win.
The only thing on the line between the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants in Week 17 was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. So, while the Raiders were dominated 34-10 by the Giants, Las Vegas is the true winner of the “Tank Bowl” as the club controls its destiny when it comes to the top selection in April. A loss during the season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday will ensure the currently 2-14 club is the first team to draft this spring.
That would be just the second time in franchise history that the Silver and Black hold the No. 1 overall selection. The other instance came in 2007, when the Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell. With the club being in the quarterback market just like it was 19 years ago, the expectation is that it will address the most important position on the field at the top of the draft again.
In other words, there will be plenty of mock drafts that send either Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore to Las Vegas in the coming months. The thought of a new quarterback provides new optimism within the fanbase, leading to more positive reactions on the internet than after a typical non-competitive loss.
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Per ESPN’s metrics, the Raiders are looking at an 80 percent chance at securing the No. 1 pick.
Who looks better in Silver and Black: Mendoza or Moore?
Side note, love the hustle from this ref. He was the most entertaining guy on the field.
Man, the Giants really aren’t good at tanking…
Pete Carroll’s future will also be a hot topic of discussion in the coming weeks, and Carroll was non-committal about his confidence level that he’ll be back next season.
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