There's no hiding it now.
The Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants play in Week 17, and whoever loses will have control of the 2026 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick with just one week remaining to secure it for good.
And on Friday, the Raiders decided Maxx Crosby wouldn't play on Sunday.
This is how NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the news on Friday:
Sources: #Raiders star Maxx Crosby was informed that he’ll be out Sunday vs. The #Giants because of the knee injury he’s been battling since October.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 26, 2025
LV made the decision with Crosby’s best interest in mind, though the Pro Bowler has been fighting to play and wants to play. Pic.twitter.com/zZRn7wg0dC
MORE: The Giants, the Raiders, the NFL Draft order and the Disgrace of Gijon
The Raiders also placed tight end Brock Bowers on Injured Reserve earlier this week with a knee injury that he has been playing through.
There's really no way for teams to get the guys on the field not to play hard.
But they do have at least some control over who they put onto the field.
Crosby won't be out there. Neither will Bowers.
The Giants have a lengthy injury report, too.
This promises to be a bizarre clash, for sure.
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