The Las Vegas Raiders extended their losing streak to ten games as they were routed by the New York Giants, 34-10, giving them sole possession of the top draft pick in 2026 going into the final week of the season.
The contest between 2-13 teams was was dubbed the “Toilet Bowl” going it, and you can pick your bathroom metaphor and apply it to the way the Raiders played. They were dominated on the field and on the stat sheet as Raiders quarterback Geno Smith returned to his interception-prone ways.
Smith’s first pick set up the Giants for the first score of the game. It came with the Raiders driving after a series of punts by both teams, but a short pass intended for tight end Michael Mayer was picked off by linebacker Bobby Orekere, who returned the ball 47 yards to take it into Raiders territory.
The Giants needed no coaxing to be reminded how fortunate they were, and quarterback Jaxson Dart engineered a 44-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard run by running back Devin Singletary for the score. The Raiders countered with a 42-yard field goal by kicker Daniel Carlson after a brief 35-yard drive that was halted by a sack, but the 7-3 deficit was as close as Las Vegas got.
Dart led another touchdown drive after the kickoff, and it was the quarterback who used his legs to get in from 12-yards out and give the Giants a 14-3 lead. The Giants went on to add a field goal after another long drive to lead, 17-3 at halftime.
The Giants continued to tighten their grip on this game after that. Another long drive led to a field goal to put New York up 20-3, and the Raiders finally scored their first touchdown on a four-yard touchdown strike from Smith to receiver Tyler Lockett.
The Raiders comeback ended on the next play, however, as cornerback Deonte Banks took the kickoff 95 yards to make it 27-10. Another Smith pick stopped the next drive, and Dart finished the scoring with his second rushing touchdown of the day.
The Giants had the upper hand on the ground and in the air, averaging five yards a carry with three touchdowns, while Dart threw for 207 yard, going 22 for 30. Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson was the star of the passing game, catching 11 passes for 113 yards.
Smith had 176 yards while going 20-for-28, but most of his offense was garbage yardage once the Raider fell behind. The two picks were the story in this one, and running back Ashton Jeanty was stymied as well, picking up just 36 yards until a late 24-yard run gave him a respectable looking 60 for the day. Tight end Michael Mayer had a good game in the Brock Bowers role, catching nine passes for 89 yards.
The Raiders season mercifully comes to a close when the Kansas City Chiefs visit, while the Giants host the Dallas Cowboys in what will also be a mostly meaningless game.