The Raiders did everything wrong and it still worked out perfectly.

Las Vegas beat Kansas City 14-12 on Sunday in a game they probably should have tanked, and somehow still clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The football gods have a sense of humor.

The Quick Hit

• What happened: Raiders beat Chiefs 14-12 in Week 18 finale
• The damage: Las Vegas finishes 3-14 but secures the top pick via tiebreaker
• Why you should care: The Raiders could take Cam Ward or any QB they want
• The move: Start researching 2026 Draft props - this pick is worth a fortune

How the Raiders Won and Still Got the No. 1 Pick

Here's where it gets confusing. The Raiders entered Week 18 knowing they controlled their draft destiny. A loss guaranteed the top pick. A win meant they needed help.

They won. And got the help.

The Panthers lost to Tampa Bay, the Giants beat the Eagles' backups, and through a complicated series of strength-of-schedule tiebreakers, Las Vegas still emerged with the No. 1 selection.

The Raiders were one loss away from clinching before the game, but winning didn't hurt them. The football universe conspired to give Vegas exactly what they needed despite their best efforts to screw it up.

The Game Itself

Chiefs third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun threw two interceptions. The Raiders' defense forced three turnovers total. Kansas City's offense managed just 12 points against one of the worst teams in the league.

Travis Kelce caught 5 passes for 47 yards in what might be his final game. There were no storybook touchdowns, no dramatic moments - just two bad teams playing bad football.

The Raiders covered as +5.5 home underdogs. If you faded the Chiefs all season, you printed money. Kansas City finished 6-10 and was one of the worst ATS teams in the league.

What the No. 1 Pick Means

The Raiders are getting a franchise quarterback. That's the only logical play.

Cam Ward from Miami is the consensus top prospect. He threw for over 4,300 yards and 39 touchdowns this season, showing the arm talent and playmaking ability that scouts drool over.

If the Raiders pass on Ward, they could take Shedeur Sanders (unlikely given the family drama potential) or trade down for a king's ransom.

But let's be real: Las Vegas is taking a quarterback. They've needed one since Derek Carr left. Aidan O'Connell isn't the answer. This pick is about fixing the most important position in sports.

Draft Betting Implications

The No. 1 pick prop markets are about to go crazy:

Cam Ward No. 1 overall: Expect this to open around -200 and potentially move to -300 or beyond Raiders to draft a QB first: Should be -400 or better Shedeur Sanders No. 1 overall: Long shot at +400 or higher

The draft is April 23-25 in Green Bay. That's three and a half months of speculation, mock drafts, and betting market movement.

If you want action on Ward going first, get it now before the line moves.

The Chiefs' Disastrous Season

Kansas City's collapse was historic. From three-time Super Bowl champions to 6-10 laughingstock in one year.

Patrick Mahomes' ACL tear in Week 9 was the catalyst, but the problems ran deeper. The offensive line regressed. The defense couldn't stop anyone. The coaching staff seemed lost without their MVP quarterback.

The Chiefs will pick somewhere in the top 10 for the first time since taking Mahomes in 2017. They need offensive line help, defensive playmakers, and maybe a backup plan if Mahomes' knee doesn't heal properly.

This franchise went from dynasty to disaster in one season. The Kelce retirement watch only adds to the uncertainty.

The AFC West Standings

Final 2025-26 AFC West standings:

1. Denver Broncos: 14-3 (AFC's No. 1 seed)
2. LA Chargers: 10-7 (Wild Card)
3. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10
4. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14

The Broncos won the division by eight games. Eight. The AFC West went from the NFL's best division to a one-team show in 12 months.

The Bottom Line

The Raiders did the impossible: won a game and still got exactly what they wanted. The No. 1 overall pick is theirs, and franchise-changing talent awaits in April.

For Kansas City, this season was a nightmare that's finally over. The dynasty is dead, the roster needs a rebuild, and the future is uncertain.

Las Vegas goes into the offseason with hope. That's more than they've had in years.

The 2026 NFL Draft just became appointment television. The Raiders on the clock, Cam Ward on deck.

Let the speculation begin.