After the hire of new head coach John Harbaugh, the emergence of young quarterback Jaxson Dart and two top-ten picks in this year’s draft, fans have a lot to look forward to this upcoming season.
With the 17th-ranked strength of schedule in the league, here is how I expect the Giants’ season to play out.
Week 1: Home | Dallas Cowboys | Sunday Night Football
The first game is the Giants’ first test to see how the team has picked up the new schemes and game plan and whether Dart and Nabers will be able to exploit a weak Cowboys secondary.
The Giants are just 2-16 against the Cowboys since 2017 and match up poorly against Dallas’ star wide receivers and elite passing attack. The game is an opportunity for a big statement, but it will be difficult for the Giants to make.
Giants 17 – 24 Cowboys
Week 2: Road | Los Angeles Rams | Monday Night Football
This is simply a bad matchup for the Giants. Despite the strength of offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, the Rams boast one of the best front sevens in the NFL with superstars Myles Garrett and the return of future hall of famer Aaron Donald.
Although a win on primetime with elite performances from Dart and Nabers would shock the world, The Giants will need to get through this game without sustaining major injuries.
Rams 27 – 13 Giants
Week 3: Home | Tennessee Titans
The Giants take on former head coach Brian Daboll in week three with an opportunity to right the ship. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter should take advantage of a struggling Titans offensive line while New York’s revamped run game can have success against a limited Tennessee defense.
It is possible that Daboll understands some of Dart’s weaknesses, but the Titans lack the positional depth to keep up with the Giants.
Giants 24 – 13 Titans
Week 4: Home | Arizona Cardinals
The Giants play a second consecutive road game following their first win. The Cardinals had just the 25th-ranked run defense and allowed 28.7 points per game last season, which will allow for the Giants to control the pace of the game on offense.
This is a game where the Giants likely run the ball twice as much as they pass and attempt to overwhelm Arizona with aggressive defense and physical play.
Giants 26 – 17 Cardinals
Week 5: Road | Washington Commanders
Although it is never easy to beat a divisional opponent on the road, the Giants have important advantages over the Commanders. Washington has a lot of questions along their offensive line, which Abdul Carter, who led the league in quick pressures as a rookie last season, will be able to exploit.
The Giants offense will also be able to run on a Washington defense that allowed nearly 5 yards per carry last season.
Commanders 14 – 21 Giants
Week 6: Home | New Orleans Saints
Returning home with a winning record, Jaxson Dart will face off against fellow second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. Both Shough and Dart were in the running for offensive rookie of the year as each played with a passion that inspired their teams.
Although the Giants match up well against the Saints, it is difficult to win four straight games in the NFL and the Saints will be coming off three consecutive home games.
Giants 21 – 23 Saints
Week 7: Road | Houston Texans
The Texans allowed the fewest yards per game by any team last season and have one of the best secondaries in the NFL. It will be difficult for the Giants to establish a rhythm, and Houston will look to attack New York’s secondary.
The Giants’ best chance is to force multiple turnovers and limit the Texans in the red zone.
Texans 23 – 10 Giants
Week 8: BYE
John Harbaugh has a 15-3 record coming off a BYE week, the second-best of the Super Bowl era.
Week 9: Road | Philadelphia Eagles
Taking on Saquon Barkley and the rival Philadelphia Eagles comes with emotion and intensity.
Despite Harbaugh’s success after a BYE-week, the Eagles have the talent to match up with the Giants in the trenches and lean on a mix of creative run plays and downfield passes that New York has often struggled with.
Eagles 27 – 23 Giants
Week 10: Home | Washington Commanders | Thursday Night Football
The Giants will look to get back on track against the Washington Commanders in primetime. With both teams playing on a short week, disciplined coaching and explosive plays will be the defining aspect of this game.
Coach Harbaugh will make sure his guys are prepared as Dart and Nabers look to attack a limited Washington secondary as they did in Week 5.
Giants 27 – 14
Week 11: Home | Jacksonville Jaguars
With one of the best run defenses in the league, the Jaguars can limit the Giants’ rushing attack. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence performs well under pressure and will be able to stand up against the Giants’ pass rush.
Giants 20 – Jaguars 31
Week 12: Road | Indianapolis Colts
It will be the Giants’ first time facing former quarterback Daniel Jones since his departure from the team in 2024. Jones struggles against an elite pass rush as the Giants will attempt to force multiple turnovers.
Isaiah Likely will also be able to exploit a Colts defense that has underperformed in recent years despite making big acquisitions.
Colts 21 – Giants 30
Week 13: Home | San Francisco 49ers
This is the first time the Giants have had important advantages against a better team. The 49ers’ playmakers have cycled through injuries, and San Francisco lost defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, which leaves the door open for the Giants to pull off an upset.
Giants 25 – 49ers 24
Week 14: Road | Seattle Seahawks
The defending Super Bowl champions are a formidable team with strengths at nearly every position. Although some questions exist about their run game following the departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, it is not enough of an edge for the Giants to exploit.
Seahawks 28 – Giants 14
Week 15: Home | Cleveland Browns
The Giants easiest game of the season will come against a team that has holes across its roster. The Giants will overwhelm the Browns offensive line and exploit a defense that lacks talent across the field.
I expect New York to control this game from start to finish
Giants 35 – 10 Browns
Week 16 | Road | Detroit Lions
Entering a critical three-game stretch to end the season, the Giants take on a Lions team that boasts one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history. Although Dart, Nabers, and Skattebo will be able to score with Detroit, the Lions have too much talent and experience for New York to get a win.
Lions 34 – 31 Giants
Week 17 | Road | Dallas Cowboys
In a rematch of the first game of the season, the Giants will have another opportunity to stack up against their divisional rivals. With the team having an entire season to play in the new system, the Giants could be able to hold off the Cowboys’ offense and attack Dallas’ secondary.
Cowboys 24 – 27 Giants
Week 18 | Home | Philadelphia Eagles
In the final week of the season, the Giants could be in the hunt for the playoffs. However, facing an Eagles team that will also be vying for playoff positioning as well. Philadelphia will look to target Devonta Smith and keep Saquon Barkley heavily involved to keep the Giants off the field.
Giants 21 – 30 Eagles
So, the Giants finish the season 8-9 and double their win total from the year before.
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