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Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants finally got that winning feeling back on game day, but it came at a price.
With their 34-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, they relinquished control of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders now own the pick heading into their regular season finale in Week 18.
The Giants are 3-13 this season, while the Raiders improve to 2-14.
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Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants makes a pass during the first quarter of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
New York came into this game with the worst record in the league when also factoring in the strength of schedule. Had they lost to the Raiders, the Giants would have solidified the No. 1 pick.
But, of course, no team tries to lose on game day and the Giants demonstrated that in the first quarter after a game-clinching interception by linebacker Bobby Okereke as Geno Smith and the Raiders offense moved into the Giants’ red zone.
Five plays later, the Giants turned the turnover into the game’s first points, as Devin Singletary scored from a yard out to make it 7-0.
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The Raiders would respond with a field goal on the next drive, but Dart, the rookie who has shined despite the Giants’ results this season, wanted to get back in the end zone. He rushed 12 yards up the middle for the first of his two rushing touchdowns in this game.
Before halftime, the Giants took a 17-3 lead and cemented themselves in position to snap their nine-game losing streak.
Jamal Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders tackles Wan’Dale Robinson of the New York Giants during the second quarter of the game at Allegiant Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Smith, however, hoped his touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett would bring the Raiders back into the game, but the ensuing kickoff proved otherwise.
Deonte Banks, the Giants’ first-round cornerback who failed to live up to those expectations, showed off his skills in the return game, racing 95 yards to the house to make it a 27-10 game.
The Giants would seal their victory with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Dart rushing into the end zone on fourth-and-1 near the goal line.
Wan’Dale Robinson may not have gotten into the end zone for New York, but he led the game with 11 receptions for 113 yards in a terrific performance.
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Now the Giants still have a chance to reclaim the No. 1 overall pick, but that means losing. They are expected to lose to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, while the Raiders are expected to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs.
