The NFL Should Put Giants vs. Raiders in Primetime and Embrace the Tank Bowl

If the NFL truly cared about their fans, they would give us Week 17’s matchup between the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders into primetime.

Instead, the game is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. on Sunday – the same time as a potential Super Bowl preview between the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.

Giants vs. Raiders isn’t a meaningless game.

These two teams are currently the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns are behind them at No. 3 overall, and they will be guaranteed a Top 2 selection as long as they lose against the AFC North leading Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The Giants and the Raiders both likely want to forget about this season and simulate to the end as if it were a game of Madden. New York has already fired head coach Brian Daboll, and that hasn’t improved much of anything. It feels like the Raiders are going to fire head coach Pete Carroll, as hiring the 74-year-old head coach never made much sense anyway.

But the NFL is an entertainment business. They are the ones that build the NFL Draft into a nationally televised spectacle that takes place over an entire weekend.

So lean into that momentum. Lean into the fact that fans care so deeply about the draft. Give us Giants vs. Raiders in primetime.

The storylines are endless.

If the Raiders get the No. 1 overall selection, it’s probable that they would use that draft selection on a quarterback. Even though they traded for Geno Smith and handed him an extension, the Raiders have been one of the worst offensive teams in the league this year. Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore would be an improvement.

But if the Giants were to receive the No. 1 overall selection, the opportunities are endless. Perhaps they stay put and draft a game changing defensive star like Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Reuben Bain Jr. out of Miami.

Maybe the Giants are comfortable with their defense and could trade this top choice to the highest bidder. Maybe a trade with the other team in New York? The Jets desperately need a quarterback and have plenty of assets after their fire sale at the trade deadline.

It’s likely that the Browns and Jets will both find themselves at home pulling for the Giants in this matchup, hoping that Vegas plays their way out of a franchise quarterback.

The NFL Christmas Day games are awful this year. Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Commanders without Jayden Daniels? Pass. Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings – oh, you mean two more teams that won’t be in the playoffs? Pass. Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs without Patrick Mahomes or Gardner Minshew? Sounds like the NBA will be on the TV.

Sure, you technically can’t give two teams less time to prepare for a matchup. But does anybody want to see Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams lambaste the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football?

Give the country the Tank Bowl. We need it.