The Las Vegas Raiders made a controversial decision to place their star defensive end Maxx Crosby on injured reserve due to a knee injury, ruling him out for their upcoming game against the New York Giants. This move has created tension between the player and the organization, as reports indicate Crosby strongly disagreed with being sidelined and left the team facility in frustration.
The timing of this decision has raised questions across the league. The Raiders and Giants are competing for the worst record in the NFL, which would secure the first overall pick in the next draft. With Crosby out of the lineup, betting lines have shifted in favor of the Giants, and the game now carries significant implications beyond just the outcome on the field.
Las Vegas Gambling: Battle for the Bottom
The Raiders are in a tight race for the worst record in the NFL this season. This puts them in position to get the first pick in the 2026 draft. Everyone watching the team knows they need help at quarterback. Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy, is expected to be the top pick available.
The team faces another challenge as star defensive end Maxx Crosby deals with an injury. He’s been trying to play through the problem for nine weeks now. Head coach Pete Carroll recently spoke about the situation. He explained that Crosby did everything possible to stay on the field each week.
After a medical review earlier in the week, the team decided the injury looked too serious to keep pushing through. Carroll said Crosby would have played if they let him. The defensive end eventually told Carroll he needed to step away. Carroll supported the decision completely.
Key Facts About Crosby:
- Seven years with the Raiders
- Five-time Pro Bowl selection
- 73 tackles this season
- 10 sacks this season
- Signed a three-year contract extension worth $106.5 million in March
Carroll made it clear he doesn’t expect this situation to hurt the relationship between Crosby and the organization. The coach hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Crosby returning for the final game against Kansas City.
The timing creates an odd situation for the Raiders. They need to lose games to secure the top draft pick. But they also want to maintain a competitive culture. Crosby’s absence makes it harder to win games. This might actually help their draft position while protecting a valuable player from further injury.
You can see how the front office must balance these competing interests as the season ends.
Giants Slight Betting Favourites
The betting markets have shifted in favor of New York as they prepare to face Las Vegas. Both teams enter this matchup with identical 2-13 records.
At DraftKings, you can find the Giants listed at -142 on the money line while the Raiders sit at +120. The spread shows New York favored by 2.5 points at -112, with Las Vegas getting +2.5 at -108.
FanDuel offers slightly different numbers for your betting options. Their money line has the Giants at -148 and the Raiders at +126.
BetMGM’s current lines place the Giants at -115 and the Raiders at -105. The betting handle tells an interesting story at this sportsbook. About 53% of bets are coming in on New York, but 62% of the total money wagered backs them.
Kickoff Details:
- Time: 4:05 p.m. EST
- Date: Sunday, December 29, 2025
The close spread reflects how evenly matched these struggling teams appear on paper. Your betting decision may come down to which side you think has more motivation in a game between two clubs fighting for draft position rather than playoff spots.
Injury Report
The Raiders will be without several key players for this matchup. Offensive tackle Kolton Miller cannot play due to an ankle injury. Tight end Brock Bowers remains sidelined on injured reserve with a knee problem. Running back Raheem Mostert and wide receiver Jack Bech both carry questionable tags heading into game day with ankle, knee, and back issues.
The Giants face their own injury challenges. Defensive lineman DJ Davidson, offensive lineman Evan Neal, safety Tyler Nubin, tackle Andrew Thomas, and wide receiver Beaux Collins will all miss the game. Neal, Davidson, Nubin, and Collins are dealing with neck injuries, while Thomas has a hamstring concern.
New York has listed four additional players as questionable: center John Michael Schmitz (finger), cornerback Cordale Flott (knee), defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (ankle), and offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu (calf).
Avalanche in Town To Take On Golden Knights
The Colorado Avalanche visit T-Mobile Arena tonight to face the Golden Knights as both teams return from the Christmas break. Colorado enters the game riding a six-game winning streak and sits first in the Central Division with a 27-2-7 record. Vegas holds first place in the Pacific Division at 17-8-10.
Current Betting Odds:
- Avalanche: -145 (favorites)
- Golden Knights: +120
You can watch these two division leaders battle it out in what should be a competitive matchup between Western Conference powerhouses.
Injury Report
Neither team has listed any players on their injury reports for this matchup. You won’t see any key absences affecting the lineups when these two teams take the ice.
Colorado brings a strong 27-2-7 record into this game. The team has performed well away from home with a 12-2-5 road record.
Vegas holds an 8-4-5 mark when playing at home this season. Mitch Marner has been productive lately with four goals and nine assists in his last 10 games.
Recent Performance (Last 10 Games):
- Vegas: 6-2-2 record, 3.3 goals per game, 2.5 goals allowed per game
- Colorado: 8-1-1 record, 3.6 goals per game, 2.2 goals allowed per game
Both teams enter this contest healthy and at full strength. You can expect both coaches to have their complete rosters available for selection.
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