Sun Jan 04 18:50:00 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided information:

Headline: Playoff Race Heats Up, But Raiders and Giants Battle for Draft Supremacy

[City, State] – As the 2025 NFL regular season heads into its dramatic Week 18 finale, playoff berths aren’t the only thing on the line. While division titles and seeding are fiercely contested, the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants are locked in a separate battle for the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Giants’ Week 17 victory over the Raiders has thrown the draft order into sharp focus. Both teams are now in contention for the top spot, adding an intriguing layer to an already compelling final week.

Pathways to the Top Pick

The Raiders currently hold the edge in the projected draft order with a league-worst record of 2-14. They can clinch the No. 1 pick with:

  • A loss in Week 18
  • A Giants win
  • Losses by three of the following teams: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, or Seattle.

The Giants, sitting at 3-13, need a more specific combination of outcomes to leapfrog the Raiders:

  • A loss in Week 18
  • A Raiders win
  • At least 1.5 combined wins (a tie counting as half a win) among Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, and Seattle.

History and Projections

Both franchises have tasted the pressure of making the top pick. The Giants, who have selected running back/receiver Kyle Rote and running back Tucker Frederickson in the past, have historically struggled at the top of the draft. Similarly, the Raiders’ recent No. 1 picks, including quarterback JaMarcus Russell, have been busts.

While playoff scenarios dominate sports talk radio, these two teams face a different kind of pressure – the weight of selecting the potential future of their franchise.

The projected top-10 of the 2026 NFL Draft according to ESPN is as follows:

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (2-14)
  2. New York Giants (3-13)
  3. New York Jets (3-13)
  4. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
  5. Arizona Cardinals (3-13)
  6. Washington Commanders (4-12)
  7. Cleveland Browns (4-12)
  8. New Orleans Saints (6-10)
  9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)
  10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-10)

For more information on playoff scenarios, mock drafts, and the latest NFL news, visit ESPN NFL Hub.

Read More