The New York Giants wrapped up their season on Sunday with a dominating 34-17 win over their NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys.
In their final game of the season at MetLife Stadium, several Giants flashed as they head into the 2026 offseason.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, in the final game of his rookie season, completed 22 of 32 pass attempts for 231 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Second-year running back Tyrone Tracy accumulated 159 scrimmage yards on 26 touches, hauling in a receiving touchdown.
New York’s defense, which had been a liability all season long, forced two turnovers en route to the victory.
But, agonizingly for Giants fans, Big Blue ruined their draft position for the second year in a row.
Coming into the day picking at No. 2, New York could find themselves out of the top five by the end of the afternoon slate.
Giants Play Their Best With Nothing to Lose
Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys was eerily similar to the New York Giants late-season victory over the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, when Drew Lock led the Giants to a 45-33 victory.
New York, which was in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall pick, slid all the way down to No. 3 after the win.
Today, the Giants were in control of the No. 2 overall pick, but after a loss by the Tennessee Titans, and the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals still to play, Big Blue can land anywhere in the three-to-seven range.
It’s almost unbelievable just how well New York plays when their draft positioning is on the line.
“If the Giants win today they will be 8-30 in their last 38 games. 4 of those 8 wins will have been in Week 17 or 18 when they’re long eliminated from playoff contention and only playing for draft positioning. You really can’t make it up,” wrote Giants fan Tom Scibelli in a post on X.
Other fans had similar reactions.
With a new head coach expected to land in New York this offseason, it’s understandable to be frustrated with a meaningless victory in Week 18.
But if you want some shred of optimism coming out of this season finale, it’s that your rookie quarterback had another strong outing to put the finishing touch on a promising NFL debut.
Giants Other Rookies Showing Promise in Win
The draft pick certainly complicates New York Giants fans’ feelings around the win, but if anything, they should be pleased with the performance of their young players.
According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, New York’s other 2025 first-round pick, outside linebacker Abdul Carter, was vocal about the Giants needing to improve in the locker room.
“Greg Van Roten said Abdul Carter spoke up after the game. Said the win feels good, but they’re supposed to be playing more games,” Hughes wrote in a post on X.
“GVR said it meant a lot for Carter to step up. He was more reserved earlier in season. Starting to come into his own #Giants.”
That’s an exciting update for the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft, who struggled with maturity issues earlier in the season.
Despite falling out of the top five, the Giants can feel good about their young nucleus and the direction they’ll be headed under a new coaching staff in 2026.
Giants Get Bad News on Draft Position After Win Over Cowboys