Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders’ Race to the Bottom

Posted on: December 23, 2025, 04:29h. 

Last updated on: December 23, 2025, 04:33h.

Mark Keast Read More
Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.
  • Brady reportedly looking at taking more of a hands-on role in Raiders’ management decisions
  • Raiders slight favourites against Giants this Sunday
  • Whichever team loses that game will likely pick first overall in this spring’s NFL draft

Call Sunday’s game between the NFL’s two bottom feeders whatever you want – Toilet Bowl, Bottom Feeder Cup, Draft Bowl. The implications for the team that comes out on the losing side are significant. The No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft is on the line. 

Former quarterback Tom Brady looks on before a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium this past October in Arlington, Texas. (Image: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The 2-13 Las Vegas Raiders host the 2-13 New York Giants Sunday at Allegiant Stadium (4:05 p.m. EST kickoff). According to the latest from theScore Bet, the Giants opened as -1.5 favorites on Sunday night, but the line has flipped in favor of the Raiders, who are now -1.5 favorites.

Las Vegas Gambling: Raiders Betting Favourites

In Week 18, the last weekend of the regular season, the Giants host the Dallas Cowboys, and the Raiders host the Kansas City Chiefs. We don’t like the chances for either last place team in those two games, and that’s why the spotlight is on Sunday.

ESPN’s Football Power Index projects the draft order for all 32 teams by simulating the remainder of the season 10,000 times, based on game probabilities. As of today, according to the index, the Raiders have a 36.4% chance of securing the No. 1 draft pick, followed by the Giants at 36.9%.

Race to the Bottom

Perhaps the more telling news coming out of Raiders nation according to reporting is that minority Raiders owner Tom Brady is going to get more involved in the management of the team. That will likely include having a bigger say on a new coach, if the organization decides to tie the can to head coach Pete Carroll. Two coordinators, OC Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, have already been fired this season.

According to The Insiders:

Legendary quarterback Tom Brady and his business partner Egon Durban have wielded significant influence since becoming Raiders minority owners last year. Brady is close with former Michigan teammate and current GM John Spytek, with both serving as the sounding board for one another.

“While Spytek was Brady’s GM target last year, Brady’s prime target for head coach was Ben Johnson, who took the Bears job instead. Expect Brady — who has spent little time in the Raiders building as he balances his broadcasting duties on Fox and other business interests — to increase his presence as the decision closes in. Many of those in the building who know Carroll well understand change may be necessary.”

Carroll Wants To Return

Carroll, 74, is coaching, and talking, like he wants to return.

“I’m not really concerned about any of that (where the Raiders end up drafting),” said Carroll yesterday. “We’re gonna go and play the best we can play and see what happens.

Carroll told reporters he wants to see the rebuild through.

I would love it,” he told reporters. “It’s going to be challenging. But, yeah, I really like this place. I like this team. I love working with Johnny. It’s just mapping it out, putting it together, making sure that we bring people in that can really help us and challenge and compete with the guys that we have, and just let that whole process take shape. It’s just unfortunate that there’s not five or six or seven or eight wins in here that should have accompanied this season right now. It blows me away that that this is the situation that we’re in.”

Las Vegas Gambling: Odds on Mendoza at No. 1

At FanDuel, QB Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman winner, has the shortest odds (-180) to go No. 1 in the NFL draft, followed by QB Dante Moore (+250), and DL Rueben Bain Jr. (+650). At DraftKings, it’s Mendoza -200, Moore +275, and Bain Jr. +750. And at BetMGM it’s Mendoza -189, Moore +250, and Bain Jr. +750.

The Raiders need a QB. Geno Smith has been subpar this season, and that’s being polite – tied for the league lead in interceptions with 15 (Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins is right there with him), with 18 touchdowns, 2,849 passing yards (19th in the NFL). No. 6 overall pick, RB Ashton Jeanty, has been largely ineffective – 19th in the NFL in rushing yards, at 828, with five TDs.

The Giants seem pretty secure with Jaxson Dart as their No. 1 QB going forward, health concerns aside. If the Giants finish last, that puts a trade for the No. 1 pick on the table.