Las Vegas Raiders faces a critical Week 17 showdown against the New York Giants, with both teams tied at 2-13 and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft hanging in the balance.
The matchup has quickly been dubbed the NFL‘s “Tank Bowl,” fueling national debate about which team might benefit most from a loss.
Amid all the speculation, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is making it clear that winning, not draft positioning, is his focus.
In a candid lockerroom session with reporters, Crosby dismissed suggestions that he or his teammates are playing intending to lose to secure a better draft slot.
“Yeah, I don’t give a sh- about the pick, to be honest,” 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. Being a great leader, being an influence. Being that guy on a consistent basis for my team.”
The fivetime Pro Bowler’s remarks mirror a sentiment echoed by players across the league who often resist “tank” framing, which assumes teams or athletes might deliberately underperform to improve draft odds.
Crosby emphasized that roster construction and draft strategy are responsibilities for frontoffice decisionmakers, not players.
“That’s their job. That’s the front office, the coaches, they do that. That’s got nothing to do with me. I’ve learned that lesson in the past. You can’t control everything. That’s not my job description. My job is to be the best in the world at what I do. And that’s wrecking the game.”
Las Vegas Raiders‘ last time drafting first overall was in 2007, when the franchise selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell, widely regarded as one of the biggest busts in NFL history.
Raiders season frustrations add context to Crosby’s stance
Las Vegas Raiders‘ disappointing 2025 campaign has been marked by turmoil, injuries, and inconsistency.
After high hopes entering the season, the Raiders have stumbled through a ninegame losing streak and are well out of playoff contention.
Meanwhile, questions loom over the team’s quarterback situation; Geno Smith, acquired in a highprofile offseason move, has underwhelmed, and the franchise could very well be in the market for a young signalcaller in the upcoming draft.
Fans and analysts alike have closely analyzed the ramifications of Sunday’s clash, which NFL observers note will be only the third time in league history that two teams with 11-plus losses meet this late in the season.
The matchup also carries curious strategic implications. According to projections, the Raiders currently hold slightly better odds than the Giants to land the top draft spot due to differences in strength of schedule, though variables remain through tiebreakers and final week results.
