​Giants’ game-by-game predictions for 2026 season in first year under John Harbaugh originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New York Giants are a team on the rise in the eyes of many. Things began to transform for the team last season when Jaxson Dart was inserted as the team’s starting quarterback and the hiring of John Harbaugh as the team’s new head coach this offseason was a sign that this organization means business. The Giants have made the playoffs just once in the last decade and the team is 13-38 across the last three seasons. It was time for a culture change and if anyone can implement that in a positive way, it’s Harbaugh, the long-time coach of the Baltimore Ravens. But how soon can he do that? The Giants will be a trendy dark-horse pick this season in a league where teams routinely go from worst to first in their divisions. The Philadelphia Eagles have won the division in each of the last two seasons, becoming the first team to win the division in back-to-back years since they did it back in 2003 and 2024. Giants’ 2026 game-by-game predictionsWeek 1: September 13 vs. Dallas CowboysWhat a way to open the season. The Giants will host the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football and this will be a great chance to start the Harbaugh era out with a bang. The Cowboys are going to get a trendy NFC pick to compete this season as well, so they will be up for this one. A healthy Giants team with Dart, Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo get the Harbaugh era off to a good start with the game being played at MetLife Stadium being the key factor. Giants 20, Cowboys 17Record: 1-0Week 2: September 21 at Los Angeles RamsThe Giants go from a Sunday night game to a Monday night game. The Rams are going to be one of the best teams in the league this season and this young Giants team won’t be ready for this kind of challenge just yet. Rams 27, Giants 16Record: 1-1Week 3: September 27 vs. Tennessee TitansThe Giants have their first game that isn’t on primetime television and against a Titans team that is still looking to create an identity with new head coach Robert Saleh. This game will be more competitive than some might expect but the Giants get out with the win. Giants 19, Titans 17Record: 2-1Week 4: October 4 vs. Arizona CardinalsThis is where getting to play that last-place schedule can get teams off to a good start. The Cardinals appear to be one of the weaker teams in the league in 2026 with their new head coach Mike LaFleur and it’s another game where the Giants get to play at home. That will be one of the biggest factors in the first quadrant of this season’s schedule. Giants 20, Cardinals 10Record: 3-1Week 5: October 11 at Washington CommandersThis is definitely a winnable game for the Giants, but the Commanders are a solid opponent with Jayden Daniels at quarterback, particularly on the road. It could go either way but the Commanders kick a game-winning field goal wi