LAS VEGAS — All week, the stage had been set for one of the worst matchups in NFL history as the 2-13 New York Giants headed to Las Vegas to play the 2-13 Raiders.

It was the first game in NFL history between two teams with nine-game losing streaks. With playoff contention long in the rearview mirror, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft was the focus of this “big” game.

But a Sunday morning report added to the stakes and drama of the game. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said to expect the Giants to “evaluate all options, including looking at (Indiana QB) Fernando Mendoza, before they make a decision on how they’re going to proceed if they have (the No. 1 pick).”

At the crux, that’s the responsible thing to do when you’ve got the No. 1 pick. But for a franchise that just traded up to draft Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round last year, the report was at least a little head-turning.

Dart would later say he didn’t hear the report. And by day’s end, it seemed of little matter. Dart had done his part to make sure the Giants wouldn’t be in a position to have that discussion, leading the Giants to a 34-10 victory over the Raiders. It was the Giants’ first win since Oct. 9 and the franchise’s first road victory since October 2024.

And yes, it came at the expense of guaranteeing the No. 1 draft pick. Now, only a loss to the Dallas Cowboys next week and a Raiders (2-14) win over the Chiefs will secure the top selection for the Giants (3-13). But Dart wasn’t too worried about the noise surrounding the draft jockeying in the lead-up to the game.

“From a player perspective, from a team perspective, I felt like we were dialed all week,” Dart said. “We needed to win, just (for) morale, just (for) some excitement, finally, like we needed to win.”

That was evident from Dart, who delivered a bounce-back game after turning in the worst performance of his young career in Week 16 against Minnesota. After tallying just 33 passing yards against the Vikings, Dart was 22-for-30 passing for 207 yards Sunday, while adding 48 yards and two scores on the ground, giving him nine rushing touchdowns for the season.

“It was good to see him comfortable early, get in a rhythm, let the game come to him, make plays that had to be made,” right guard Greg Van Roten said. “He just seemed very confident back there.”

Dart has endeared himself to Giants fans this season, not only with his play but also with his personality. He arrived in New York ready to not only tackle the Xs and Os, but also to win the crowd with his swagger on the field and his candid news conferences. His persona has earned him legions of fans.

Recently, however, as the losses have piled up, Dart didn’t seem to be having quite as much fun. On Sunday, amid the Giants’ rout of the lowly Raiders, Dart looked more like the player that fans have come to love.