The veteran quarterback looks to build on his season performance as two struggling teams meet in Week 17 at Allegiant Stadium
Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to host the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon in a matchup between two teams enduring disappointing seasons. Both franchises carry identical 2-13 records heading into Week 17, making this contest at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada a meeting of the NFL’s bottom dwellers. The 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS provides both organizations an opportunity to salvage something from campaigns that have fallen far short of expectations.
Smith has delivered mixed results throughout the season, averaging 203.5 passing yards per game across 14 appearances. His performance has fluctuated considerably from week to week, with some games showing flashes of the competence that once made him a valuable starter and others revealing the limitations that have defined much of his career.
Inconsistent passing production
The veteran quarterback has surpassed the 211.5-yard threshold in six of his 14 games this season, demonstrating the up-and-down nature of his 2025 campaign. His actual yardage average falls nearly 18 yards below the typical projections set for his performances, suggesting expectations have consistently exceeded his on-field production.
Smith has found the end zone through the air 10 times this year, including five games where he threw multiple touchdown passes. However, ball security remains an ongoing concern. He has thrown interceptions in 10 of his 14 appearances, with three games featuring multiple picks that put his team in difficult positions.
Facing a middle-tier pass defense
The Giants defense presents a moderate challenge through the air, ranking 20th in the league by allowing 222.1 passing yards per game. This middling performance suggests opportunities exist for quarterbacks willing to attack downfield, though New York has shown occasional ability to tighten coverage when needed.
The Raiders offensive struggles extend beyond Smith’s individual performance. Las Vegas ranks fourth-worst in passing offense overall, generating just 173.1 passing yards per contest as a team. The rushing attack proves even more problematic, ranking dead last in the NFL at a meager 75.7 yards per game on the ground.
Defensive comparisons tell the story
Las Vegas has performed somewhat better on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 17th by allowing 209.7 passing yards per game. The run defense mirrors that middle-of-the-pack performance, giving up 116.5 rushing yards per contest to rank 17th again. The overall defensive efficiency stands at ninth in the league with 5.3 yards allowed per play, representing one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal season.
Offensively, the Raiders rank fifth-worst with just 5.0 yards gained per play, illustrating the comprehensive nature of their struggles moving the football. The combination of poor rushing and inconsistent passing has left the team searching for any reliable method of sustaining drives and putting points on the board.
High stakes for the draft
While neither team enters this game with playoff implications, the outcome carries significant weight for draft positioning. Both franchises sit at 2-13, placing them in contention for a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A loss would strengthen either team’s case for selecting earlier, potentially securing access to a franchise-altering quarterback or impact player at another premium position.
The game represents an opportunity for Smith to showcase whatever remains of his capabilities as Las Vegas evaluates its quarterback situation heading into the offseason. Whether he remains with the organization beyond this season likely depends partly on his performance down the stretch, making these final games meaningful despite the lost season.
Source: USA Today Sports