Giants, Raiders' NFL Draft order heading for Week 17's potential 'Disgrace of Gijon'

Billy Heyen

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Giants, Raiders' NFL Draft order heading for Week 17's potential 'Disgrace of Gijon' image

Allow, for a moment, a trip back to the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

West Germany and Austria knew that if they drew in their final group stage match, they would advance in the tournament. Playing against one another, they showed no aggression and never threatened to score in a 0-0 draw that was a good result for both of them.

That's known as the "Disgrace of Gijon," and it caused FIFA to change how it schedules games at the World Cup to attempt to avoid such a farce ever again.

Back in 2025, in the NFL, Week 17 sets up with what could be one of the goofiest games in recent memory.

The New York Giants take on the Las Vegas Raiders. Entering the game, the Giants hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft order, and the Raiders are No. 2.

Whoever loses the game will have the heavy leg-up to claim the No. 1 spot in the draft order, with only one game to play after this week.

They're not just playing for a scoreless draw. They're both playing to lose.

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Of course, this is always tricky. The players on the field have NFL presents and futures to consider. They themselves aren't playing to lose.

But teams can use strategies and personnel that increase the chances of losing, for sure. Except, well, if the other team is doing it, too, how does it even work out?

There's absolutely no telling how this might play out. Do the Giants and Raiders bench regular starters? Do they punt from odd spots on the field? 

Shoot, a tie actually helps both teams to a decent extent, too. If the game went to overtime, would they, too, play for the draw?

Tanking isn't new, of course. But to have them match up this late in the year in direct competition for the No. 1 pick is pretty unlikely. And it could create quite the game.

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