This is not what owner John Mara has in mind when he says the goal is for the Giants to play “meaningful” games in December.
The NFL’s two worst teams — the Giants and Raiders — will bring identical 2-13 records into a matchup Sunday in Las Vegas that will greatly aid the loser in its bid to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Call it the “Stinker Bowl.”
Sunday will be a scene reminiscent of 2019, when the Giants and Washington — with identical 3-11 records — played in the “Chase Young Bowl.” By losing, Washington gained the inside track to the No. 2 pick in 2020, bumped the Giants to No. 4 and drafted Young, who proved to be a disappointment, especially compared to “consolation” left tackle Andrew Thomas.
There have been other draft-position-altering wins that didn’t turn out as favorably during this disastrous decade, but no games with both teams playing for No. 1. For example: