Victory in Vegas: Why the Giants’ Win Pleases Players but Frustrates Fans
In the high stakes world of the NFL, a victory is usually a cause for universal celebration. However, for the New York Giants, their recent 34-10 dominant win over the Las Vegas Raiders has created a complex divide between the locker room and the fanbase. While the players and coaching staff celebrated snapping a brutal nine game losing streak and a 448 day road drought, the victory sent the team’s odds of securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft into a freefall.
Before the Week 17 matchup in the desert, analytics from ESPN suggested the Giants had a staggering 99.7% chance of landing the top selection if they simply lost their remaining games. Following the win, those odds plummeted to roughly 20%, effectively handing control of the draft order back to the Raiders.
The Locker Room Perspective: Winning Over Tanking
For the men on the field, the "tanking" narrative holds no weight. Under interim head coach Mike Kafka, the Giants entered Allegiant Stadium with a clear intent to compete. The result was arguably their most complete performance of the season. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looked rejuvenated, rebounding from a difficult month to lead a balanced offensive attack.
The energy in the post game locker room was electric. "Wins are hard to get in this league," Kafka noted in his post game remarks, emphasizing that the victory was about the players' professional pride and development. Defensive leaders like Bobby Okereke and Dane Belton, both of whom recorded crucial interceptions, echoed the sentiment that "playing for each other" outweighs future draft positioning.
For veteran players and those on expiring contracts, "putting out good film" is a matter of job security. The competitive culture within an NFL locker room makes it nearly impossible to ask athletes to purposely fail, even if the long term reward is a generational talent like Fernando Mendoza or a top-tier offensive tackle.
The Draft Implications: A Costly Victory?
Despite the positive vibes in the locker room, the win has left the Giants’ front office with a massive strategic headache. By beating the Raiders, the Giants moved to a 3-13 record, allowing Las Vegas (also 3-13 but with a lower strength of schedule) to leapfrog them for the pole position in the draft order.
The impact of this shift cannot be overstated. If the Giants had secured the No. 1 pick, they would have had their choice of the top quarterbacks in the class a move many analysts believe is necessary given the inconsistency of the current depth chart. Now, the Giants find themselves in a precarious "wait and see" mode. To regain the top spot, they would likely need to lose to the Dallas Cowboys in the season finale while hoping for an unlikely Raiders win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Key Performers Who Fueled the Win
Several players stood out in the victory, proving that the roster still possesses high end talent despite the dismal record:
Jaxson Dart (QB): Showed poise and accuracy, connecting with Wan’Dale Robinson for key conversions.
Abdul Carter (EDGE): Continued his late-season surge, showing why he was a top three pick in 2025.
Deonte Banks (CB): Put an exclamation point on the game with a physical style of play that "stamped" his role as a cornerstone defender.
The performance of the offensive line was particularly noteworthy. Even without stalwarts like Andrew Thomas, the unit paved the way for a ground game that kept the Raiders' pass rush at bay, allowing Dart the time he needed to distribute the ball effectively.
The Fan Dilemma: Short-Term Joy vs. Long-Term Pain
For the Giants' faithful, the win is a bittersweet pill. On one hand, ending a 12 game road losing streak provides a rare moment of happiness in a 2025 season defined by injuries and disappointment. On the other hand, many fear this "meaningless" win could mirror the team's 2023 and 2024 mistakes, where late season victories cost them the chance to draft franchise altering quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams.
There is also the question of leadership. Reports suggest that GM Joe Schoen may retain his position despite the poor record, and some fans worry that a late season "surge" will be used to justify maintaining a status quo that has seen the team go 6-27 over the last two seasons.
Conclusion: A High Stakes Finale
As the Giants head into their final game against Dallas, the narrative remains split. The players are motivated to finish on a high note and build momentum for the 2026 offseason. Meanwhile, the scouts and cap managers are left calculating the cost of a lower draft slot.
The "win" in Vegas proved the Giants are not a team that has quit, but in the zero sum game of the NFL Draft, that resilience might come at a very high price. Whether this victory is remembered as a turning point for team culture or a catastrophic blow to their rebuilding efforts will be determined when the first name is called on draft night in April.