The New York Giants will face off against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 28, 2025, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This match holds significant implications for both teams, as the loser will gain the upper hand in the race for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The game will be broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on DIRECTV and fuboTV, both offering free trials to new subscribers.
The Giants and Raiders enter this matchup with disappointing records, making it a rare encounter between two teams holding the worst standings in the league. This game marks only the fourth time since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger that the bottom two teams have met in the final weeks of the season, according to Sportradar. As a result, the stakes are high, not only for immediate bragging rights but also for future draft positioning.
Significance of Draft Positioning
The implications of this game transcend mere rivalry. With the opportunity to secure the first overall pick, both teams may be eyeing the potential of Fernando Mendoza, the highly touted Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. Alternatively, the losing team could opt to trade the pick for a substantial return, a strategy that has become increasingly common in the NFL.
Historically, late-season clashes for the top draft position have not always yielded franchise-altering talent. For instance, in 1981, the New England Patriots lost to the Baltimore Colts and subsequently picked defensive lineman Kenneth Sims, who fell short of expectations during his career. Similarly, the 1980 season featured the New Orleans Saints clinching the top pick after defeating the New York Jets—the outcome did not yield a superstar in George Rogers, despite his solid career.
This season’s matchup could redefine the trajectories of both franchises, as they look to rebound from underwhelming performances.
Recent NFL Developments
In a broader context, the NFL has seen notable coaching changes yielding immediate success. Teams like the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars have all clinched playoff berths in their respective coaches’ first seasons. This trend, as documented by Sportradar, highlights the increasing frequency of first-year coaches guiding their teams to the postseason.
Despite these successes, the previous year’s top seeds, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, have struggled. Kansas City has already been eliminated from playoff contention, while Detroit needs to win both remaining games and hope for a Green Bay loss to keep their playoff hopes alive.
In an exciting twist, a new NFL overtime rule has also made headlines recently. The Seattle Seahawks recently became the first team to win an overtime game with a walk-off two-point conversion, showcasing the evolving dynamics of the league.
As fans prepare for this crucial game, the excitement builds not only for the immediate competition but also for the long-term implications it may hold for both franchises. The outcome could shape the future of the Giants and Raiders as they seek to rebuild and reestablish themselves in the NFL landscape.
