Published on: December 23, 2025, 04:29h.
Updated on: December 23, 2025, 04:33h.
- Brady reportedly set to take a more active role in Raiders’ decision-making.
- Raiders slight favorites against Giants this Sunday.
- The losing team of this matchup may likely secure the first overall pick in this year’s NFL draft.
Refer to Sunday’s clash between the NFL’s least successful teams as you wish—whether it’s the Toilet Bowl, Bottom Feeder Cup, or Draft Bowl. The stakes are high for the team that faces defeat, as it could lead to the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
The 2-13 Las Vegas Raiders are scheduled to play against the 2-13 New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium this Sunday (4:05 p.m. EST). Initial lines from theScore Bet had the Giants as -1.5 favorites, but the odds have now shifted to favor the Raiders, making them -1.5 favorites.
Las Vegas Gambling: Raiders as Betting Favorites
In Week 18, which marks the final weekend of the regular season, the Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys while the Raiders will face the Kansas City Chiefs. The outlook for either last-place team in those matchups does not appear promising, intensifying the focus on Sunday’s game.
ESPN’s Football Power Index analyzes the draft order for all 32 teams by simulating the concluding season scenarios 10,000 times based on game probabilities. Currently, the Raiders hold a 36.4% chance of landing the No. 1 draft pick, closely followed by the Giants at 36.9%.
The Battle for the Top Pick
Significantly, reports indicate that minority Raiders owner Tom Brady may be poised to take a more active part in team management decisions. This involvement could entail having a greater input in selecting a new head coach, should the franchise decide to part ways with current coach Pete Carroll. This season has already seen the dismissal of two coordinators, OC Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon.
According to The Insiders:
Iconic quarterback Tom Brady and his business associate Egon Durban have exercised substantial influence since becoming minority owners of the Raiders last year. His rapport with former Michigan teammate and current GM John Spytek positions both as valuable sounding boards.
“While Spytek was Brady’s preferred GM choice last year, his ideal head coach was Ben Johnson, now with the Bears. Expect Brady—who has had limited presence at the Raiders facility due to his broadcasting commitments with Fox and various business ventures—to enhance his involvement as major decisions approach. Many in the organization recognize that change may be necessary for Carroll.”
Carroll’s Intentions for the Future
Carroll, 74, is actively engaged in coaching and expresses a desire to remain with the team.
“I’m not overly worried about where we end up in the draft,” Carroll stated yesterday. “Our goal is to compete and see how things unfold.
He conveyed his determination to see the team rebuild.
I would love to continue,” he remarked to reporters. “It will be challenging, but I genuinely appreciate this place. I enjoy collaborating with Johnny. Our focus is on bringing in individuals who can genuinely contribute and compete alongside our current players, allowing the entire process to evolve. It’s disheartening that our record does not reflect the potential of this season.”
Las Vegas Betting: Mendoza’s Draft Prospects
At FanDuel, QB Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, is favored to go No. 1 in the NFL draft with odds at -180, followed by QB Dante Moore at +250, and DL Rueben Bain Jr. at +650. DraftKings lists Mendoza at -200, Moore at +275, and Bain Jr. at +750. Meanwhile, BetMGM has Mendoza at -189, Moore at +250, and Bain Jr. at +750.
The Raiders are in need of a new quarterback. Geno Smith’s performance this season has been lackluster—tied for the league lead with 15 interceptions while throwing 18 touchdowns and accumulating 2,849 passing yards, ranking 19th in the NFL. No. 6 overall pick, RB Ashton Jeanty, has struggled as well, ranking 19th in rushing yards with 828 and contributing five touchdowns.
On the other hand, the Giants seem to be solidifying Jaxson Dart as their primary quarterback going forward, barring any health issues. If the Giants finish in last place, discussions about trading for the No. 1 pick could gain traction.