Las Vegas – A Year in Reflection

It’s remarkable—exactly one year has gone by. Let’s rewind to Week 17 of the 2024 season. The Giants were in a familiar post-Christmas, pre-New Year slump, a pattern they’ve managed to repeat annually for quite some time now. The last two games didn’t offer much excitement, leading fans, along with some execs, to turn their thoughts to the upcoming draft.

At that point, the Giants were sitting at 2-13, on the brink of cementing their draft destiny. The idea was that by losing out, they could snag quarterback Cam Ward as the top pick. Realistically, a win seemed improbable, but then something unexpected happened—they actually won.

Drew Lock, their often-fluctuating quarterback, threw four touchdown passes and even ran for one more in a surprising 45-33 win over the Colts. That performance was, well, out of left field. The following week, however, they fell to the Eagles’ less-competitive squad, which landed them the third overall pick instead of a shot at Ward.

In many fans’ eyes, that win felt like a loss.

Now, here we are, another year later, and the Giants find themselves 2-13 again, holding the coveted No. 1 pick for the 2026 draft. The only obstacles ahead are this Sunday’s game in Las Vegas and another against the Cowboys next week.

If they lose those games, they might just find themselves negotiating with another team eager to trade up for quarterbacks like Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore. They already have Jackson Dart, so they could accumulate several picks from any team desperate for a new quarterback.

In simpler terms, if the Giants manage to defeat the Raiders, the argument of winning versus losing will reignite.

Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson reflected, “I guess you could say it’s kind of the same old story with losing streaks. But the Colts won, so it was a really fun day. We came out strong as a team, especially on offense. That’s the mindset we need going out there on Sunday.”

Looking back, last year’s game began with the Giants’ record-breaking losing streak of ten games. Fast-forward to now, and it seems history isn’t taking a break. Just like the Raiders, the Giants are walking into this week on a nine-game losing streak, making victory seem like a long shot.

Understanding motivation in such trying times can be tricky. With the season heading toward its conclusion, are the players already thinking about next year?

Generally speaking, younger players tend to adapt better. Perhaps that’s why Dart, at just 22, has managed to win two of his first three starts but hasn’t seen much success since. He shared candidly, “We’re tired of losing, so we want that feeling back. It’s tough to put in hard work and come so close, yet not reap any rewards this year. It’s vital for our morale, as a team, that we finish strong the last two weeks.”

Ultimately, breaking this losing streak could recharge players’ spirits, who have endured a tough season. For fans looking in from the outside, it’s completely valid to also wish for an actual win.

Both sides have a stake in this upcoming game.

The Raiders’ standout defensive end Maxx Crosby remarked earlier this week, “I don’t worry about draft picks; I’m here to play.” His frustration boiled over when he learned the request to sit out the final two games. Players want to compete—that’s a given. And fans stand behind them.

Yet, there are moments when some might find themselves cheering for their team to… you know, not win.