The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into their final game of the 2025 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 on Jan. 4 at Allegiant Stadium. Nonetheless, before this contest, two Raiders players received bad news due to their actions in Week 17 against the New York Giants.
On Jan. 3, the NFL announced its Gameday Accountability report, which featured two Las Vegas players: Tommy Eichenberg and Jonah Laulu.
As part of the fine process, players are notified of violations and may appeal any ruling. Appeals officers and former NFL players hear cases, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA. Moreover, the decisions made are final and binding.
Regarding Eichenberg, he received the most significant fine of the two Raiders players. His infraction occurred in the fourth quarter at the 12:29-minute mark, as the league is fining him for unnecessary roughness due to striking, kicking, tripping, or kneeing an opposing player. As a result, the NFL is fining Eichenberg $5,802.
Meanwhile, Laulu’s infraction occurred in the fourth quarter at the 6:36-minute mark, and the NFL fined him for unnecessary roughness due to a late hit. As a result, the league is fining Laulu $5,333.
The Raiders Are Looking to Finish Off Their Tank
The Raiders head into this last game against the Chiefs with the inside track to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Moreover, with a loss to Kansas City, the Silver and Black have an opportunity to select Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza, who the team seems to want, according to CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco.
“They are thrilled today that they have the No. 1 overall pick,” Prisco said on the Dec. 28 edition of “CBS Sports HQ.” “They sat Maxx Crosby down. You think he wanted to play today? Of course he did. Why did you sit him down? You’re tanking. You want the No. 1 overall pick. Well, they got it. Right now, they have it.
“You think they’re going to beat the Chiefs next week? No matter what happens, they’re not beating the Chiefs. They want Fernando Mendoza. They’re going to get Fernando Mendoza. They’re going to have the No. 1 overall pick, and they’re going to cure their quarterback problem.”
Raiders Ownership Wants the No. 1 Pick
Moreover, ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor shared what the Raiders’ ownership, including Tom Brady, is thinking as they head into their final game of the 2025 season.
“[Raiders] ownership [is] telling the coaching staff and the players that they want the No. 1 overall pick above all else,“ Pryor said in a video posted by ESPN on Dec. 30. “… Things have not gone well, but it leaves you with a sour taste in your mouth.
“If you’re one of those Raiders players that is hearing from ownership, ‘Look, we don’t want you to win. It is better for us if you lose, and then we can focus on the future,‘ especially because there are definitely guys in that locker room that are not a part of the Raiders’ future equation.
“They don’t really care about the future, but Tom Brady and those owners, they would like to win. They would like to have that No. 1 overall pick when the draft is in Pittsburgh, just in a couple of months.”
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