The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing for their final game against the Kansas City Chiefs, with implications for the first overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
A loss to the Chiefs would position the Raiders to secure the top draft pick.
Head coach Pete Carroll has stated plans to allocate playing time across the active roster, including backup quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell and Kenny Pickett. Carroll commented on the team's approach, stating, “Everybody’s gonna play and I’m hoping it works out well. It doesn’t always, good plans don’t always come through, but we’ve got plans for these guys to get in there and get their playing time. Really excited to see them. Excited to see them play.”
Several key Raiders players will not participate in the game due to injuries. These include starting quarterback Geno Smith, defensive end Maxx Crosby, and tight end Brock Bowers. Maxx Crosby had expressed a desire to play despite his knee injury, but the team determined he would not.
The current NFL draft system awards the highest draft pick to the team with the poorest regular-season record. This structure has led to discussions regarding potential incentives for teams no longer in playoff contention.
Alternative draft ordering systems have been proposed. One suggestion involves awarding higher draft picks to non-playoff teams that conclude the regular season with the longest winning streaks. Proponents argue such a system could maintain competitive interest in late-season games involving teams outside the playoff picture. For instance, the upcoming Saints-Falcons game features two non-playoff teams, with the Saints on a four-game winning streak and the Falcons on a three-game winning streak.
Coach Carroll has addressed the team's performance, stating, “I never even dreamed it would be like this. These guys will continue to work and they’ll stay with it. They don’t want to accept it. They want to only focus on the next opportunity that’s coming up.”