To the loser goes the spoils as the Las Vegas Raiders play host to the New York Giants on Sunday.
The side that falls short in the second-to-last game of the regular season moves into sole possession of the bottom spot in the overall NFL standings, and in clear view of next year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, though the winner still is in line for a high selection.
The game between teams with matching 2-13 records is just the third in NFL history where both are at least 11 games under .500, and the first such matchup since 1991.
It is also a showdown of squads on dueling nine-game losing streaks.
At least one star player in the top-pick showdown says the reward for losing is the furthest thing from his mind.
“Yeah, I don’t give a s–t about the pick, to be honest,” Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “I don’t play for that. That’s not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world. That’s what I focus on every day.”
A loss would seem to benefit the Raiders the most. Las Vegas does not have a long-term plan at quarterback, with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of top-ranked Indiana currently the expected No. 1 pick in April’s draft.
The Giants already have a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, and while Mendoza would represent a likely upgrade if they owned the top pick, New York could also flip either the No. 1 or No. 2 pick for multiple high draft spots as they proceed with a roster rebuild.
Operating with a conservative game plan this past Sunday, Dart did not have a pass attempt until under two minutes remained in the first half of a 16-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. And yet, the rookie still was sacked five times while completing 7 of 13 pass attempts for just 33 yards.
“We’re sick of losing, so we definitely are just wanting to get that feeling back,” said Dart, who sees a first victory for interim head coach Mike Kafka as a morale booster the team needs. “It’s hard to go week to week and have these close games where you put in a ton of hard work and things just haven’t really paid off for us this year.”
New York’s offense saw left tackle Andrew Thomas leave the Vikings game with a hamstring injury, while center John Michael Schmitz had a finger injury. Both were non-participants Wednesday, as was guard Evan Neal (neck), safety Tyler Nubin (neck) and defensive tackle DJ Davidson (neck/concussion).
The Raiders nearly broke free from their doldrums last Sunday after taking a third-quarter lead on the road against the Houston Texans, only to fall 23-21.
This week, they will be without star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) and safety Jeremy Chinn (back), who will close out the season on injured reserve.
Last year’s 4-13 record allowed Las Vegas to select running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall draft pick and he continued to show his promise against the Texans with a 60-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter and a 51-yard TD run late in the game.
“Obviously, this year, from a team standpoint, hasn’t been the best,” Jeanty said. “But I just have to continue getting better and finding ways to improve.”
Jeanty’s 188 yards of total offense in Houston were nearly as much as the 201 passing yards from quarterback Geno Smith, who has not been able to extend his recent revival at Seattle into his first year in Las Vegas.
Smith opened the game with four consecutive incompletions, the last of which was returned for a touchdown by the Texans. Smith, who is tied for the NFL lead with 15 interceptions, missed the previous game with back and shoulder injuries.
Crosby (knee) did not practice for the Raiders on Wednesday.
