NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock.
A loss would have secured the Raiders the first overall pick in April, but they didn’t have to wait for their own game to start to find out their fate.
The New York Giants had an outside shot at the No. 1 pick, a pick they controlled heading into their game against the Raiders last week.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
A general view of the field shows the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
However, the Giants beat the Raiders and lost control of the pick to Las Vegas. New York needed a loss and a Raiders win to regain the first pick, but the Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys 34-17, giving the Raiders the pick.
It is widely believed that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be a Raider. Las Vegas acquired veteran quarterback Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, but in the midst of a terrible season for the Raiders, Smith was a disappointment. Before Sunday, he had thrown for 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns against 17 interceptions in 15 games.
Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LOOKING BACK AT THE SPORTS PICTURE RETROVERS THROUGHOUT 2025, WITH NBA AND MLB INVESTIGATIONS LEADING
Smith, 35, has two years left on his deal, but it’s hard to imagine the Raiders missing out on the Heisman Trophy winner, who could complete a perfect season with a national championship.
The 2-14 Raiders will face the Kansas City Chiefs to close out their regular season. The last time the Raiders had the first pick was in 2007 when they selected JaMarcus Russell out of LSU. Russell went on to become one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, playing in 31 games, his last coming in 2009.
Maybe the Indiana quarterback could get a better result.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws before an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Giants, meanwhile, could fall as low as No. 7 with their 4-13 record depending on how the games at 16.25 unfolds.
