Giants lose No. 1 overall pick to Raiders after blowout win snaps nine-game losing streak
NEWNow you can listen to News articles!
Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants finally recaptured that winning feeling on game day, but it came at a price.
With their 34-10 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, they relinquished control of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders now own the pick heading into their regular season finale in Week 18.
The Giants are 3-13 on the season, while the Raiders move to 2-14.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON News
Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants makes a pass during the first quarter of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
New York came into this game with the worst record in the league when also taking into account the strength of the schedule. Had they lost to the Raiders, the Giants would have solidified the number one pick.
But of course, no team is trying to lose on game day and the Giants showed it right in the first quarter after a key interception by linebacker Bobby Okereke while Geno Smith and the Raiders offense were moving in the Giants red zone.
Five plays later, the Giants turned the turnover into the first points of the game, when Devin Singletary scored from a yard out to make the score 7-0.
2 NFL DIVISION TITLES AT PLAY IN WEEK 18 AFTER CRUCIAL LOSSES APPRECIATE PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Raiders would respond with a field goal on the next drive, but Dart, the rookie who has shined despite the Giants’ results this season, wanted to get back into the end zone. He ran 12 yards up the middle for the first of his two rushing touchdowns in this game.
Before halftime, the Giants took a 17-3 lead and cemented themselves in position to snap their nine-game losing streak.
Jamal Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders tackles Wan’Dale Robinson of the New York Giants during the second quarter of the game at Allegiant Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Smith, however, hoped his touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett would get the Raiders back in the game, but the resulting kickoff proved otherwise.
Deonte Banks, the Giants’ first-round cornerback who didn’t live up to those expectations, showed off his skills in the return game, marching 95 yards to the house to make it a 27-10 game.
The Giants would seal their victory with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Dart running into the end zone on fourth-and-1 near the goal line.
Wan’Dale Robinson may not have reached the end zone for New York, but he led the game with 11 receptions for 113 yards in a tremendous performance.
Combine News One and News Nation to stream the entire News Nation library, plus live News, sports and entertainment at our lowest price of the year. Offer ends January 4, 2026. (News One; News Nation)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE News APP
Now, the Giants still have a chance to regain the No. 1 overall pick, but that means losing. They would have to lose to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, while the Raiders must defeat the Kansas City Chiefs.
Follow News Digital sports coverage in X and subscribe to the News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for News Digital.