The New York Giants will travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17 in a matchup widely viewed as a battle for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Both teams enter with nine-game losing streaks and identical 2-13 records, yet the Giants opened as slight road favorites earlier this week.
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While much of the conversation surrounds New York’s draft position, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and the Giants remain focused on ending their skid.
Here are three reasons for optimism heading into Sunday’s game.
Giants as favorites
New York has rarely been favored in recent years, and it is difficult to argue against the Raiders being one of the Giants’ most favorable matchups this season. Las Vegas ranks last in the league across numerous statistical categories, giving the Giants a strong opportunity to snap their losing streak and secure their third victory of the year.
Raiders’ struggling offense
The Raiders rank 32nd in scoring, averaging just 14.5 points per game. They have scored fewer than 10 points in five contests this season and have been shut out twice. The Giants’ defense has faced significant challenges this year, to say the least, but this matchup presents one of its most advantageous opportunities.
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Opportunity for sacks
Geno Smith has been the most-sacked signal-caller in the NFL this season, going down 52 times across 14 games. New York’s defensive front entered the year with high expectations, and while the pass rush has underperformed outside of Brian Burns, rookie Abdul Carter has emerged strongly in recent weeks. Carter and the Giants’ front could be poised for a productive performance on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Raiders: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 17