When failure feels like victory.
The only cliffhanger between the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants in Week 17 is the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. So while the Raiders were dominated by the Giants 34-10, Las Vegas was the real winner of the Tank Bowl as the club controlled its own destiny in April’s top pick. If they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in the season finale next Sunday, the team, currently 2-14, will become the first team drafted this spring.
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This will be the second time in franchise history that a No. 1 pick has been awarded. Another example occurred in 2007 when the Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell. With the club in the same quarterback market as it was 19 years ago, the expectation is that it will once again have the most important position on the field in the draft.
In other words, there will be plenty of mock drafts sending Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore to Las Vegas over the next few months. The idea of a new quarterback brought a new level of optimism to fans, generating more positive reactions from the internet than a typical non-competitive loss.
According to ESPN’s metrics, the Raiders have an 80% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick.
manchester raiders england
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This is beyond the scope of tanks. If the Giants are tanking and we’re not, they’re going to wipe us out. The head is gone. This is the worst I have supported in my 39 years.
predator fat
I’m all for tanks, but I don’t think this team even needs tanks… they’re so bad in every phase.
Who looks better in silver or black, Mendoza or Moore?
Boomer B
Yes! ! ! ! Anyone here is stupid to think that the Raiders finishing the regular season with the No. 1 pick isn’t the best thing for this team! Stop all theories and beliefs. We need a quarterback and our best option is Mendoza! Not an FA signing, not AOC, or any other quarterback in the draft! God, let’s face it…we need to start with the signal caller
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Side note, love this ref’s hustle. He’s the funniest guy on the field.
Man, the Giants are really bad at tanking…
Pete Carroll’s future will also be a hot topic of discussion in the coming weeks, with Carroll being noncommittal about his confidence that he will return next season.
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-193 points difference. Worst Predators team in history