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Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants finally got that winning feeling back 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 Week 18 regular season finale.
The Giants are 3-13 on the season, while the Raiders move to 2-14.
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Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants catches 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 entered this game with the worst record in the league when strength of schedule was also taken into account. If they lost to the Raiders, the Giants would have solidified the No. 1 pick.
But of course, no team tries to lose on gameday, and the Giants showed it right in the first quarter after a clutch interception by linebacker Bobby Okereke as Geno Smith and the Raiders’ offense moved into 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 it 7-0.
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The Raiders would answer with a field goal on the ensuing drive, but Dart, the rookie who has shined despite the Giants’ results this season, wanted to get back into the end zone. He rushed 12 yards up the middle for the first of his two rushing touchdowns in this game.
By 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)
However, Smith hoped his touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett would get the Raiders back in the game, but the ensuing kickoff proved otherwise.
Deonte Banks, the Giants’ first-round cornerback who hasn’t lived up to those expectations, showed off his skills in the return game, going 95 yards to the house to make it a 27-10 ball game.
The Giants would seal their victory with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Dart leaping into the end zone on fourth-and-1 near the goal line.
Wan’Dale Robinson may not have gotten into the end zone for New York, but he led the game with 11 receptions for 113 yards in a stellar performance.
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Now, the Giants still have a chance to win back the No. 1 overall pick, but it involves losses. They would lose to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, while the Raiders must defeat the Kansas City Chiefs.
