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The Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants play a high-stakes game on Sunday.
Both teams are 2-13, but the matchup has big implications for how the top of the 2026 NFL Draft will shake out. Regardless of which team loses, it will have a significantly increased chance of securing the top pick in the NFL Draft.
However, Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby couldn’t care less about losing and getting the pick.
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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) stands on the field after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 14, 2025. (Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)
“Yeah, I don’t give a s—- about the pick, to be honest. I don’t play for it. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world,” Crosby told reporters Tuesday.
“That’s what I focus on every day, and being a good leader, and being an influence, and being that guy on a consistent basis for my team. The front office, the coaches, they do that. But it has nothing to do with me. I’ve learned that lesson in the past, you can’t control everything. That’s not my job description, my job is to be the best in the world at what I do.”
The Raiders, should they lose to the Giants on Sunday, would find themselves in possession of the No. 1 overall pick. The team signed Geno Smith in the offseason, but the veteran quarterback has underwhelmed.
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Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Texas on Dec. 21, 2025. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
Smith has started 14 games and the team is 2-12 in his starts. The 35-year-old has completed 67.1% of his passes for 2,849 yards with 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
His 15 interceptions are tied for most in the NFL with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was recently benched.
The No. 1 overall pick would give the Raiders a chance to select the best quarterback in the class, as Smith doesn’t appear to be the long-term answer.
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The Giants, on the other hand, appear to have their franchise quarterback in rookie Jaxson Dart. The 22-year-old has shown solid playmaking skills despite working with a limited supporting cast as both superstar Malik Nabers and promising running back Cam Skattebo have been on injured reserve.
In 12 games (10 starts), Dart has completed 62.1% of his passes for 1,835 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions while running for 407 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Giants and Raiders play at 4:05 PM ET on Sunday.
