It’s been tough times for the New York Giants and their fans since winning Super Bowl XLVI in February of 2012. In the 13 seasons that followed the Giants’ fourth Super Bowl victory, the team has had just three winning seasons.
However, despite the team setting a franchise record for losses in a season in 2024, optimism is in the air as general manager Joe Schoen has made significant upgrades to the roster. Schoen’s biggest acquisitions were signing 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract, drafting Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, and trading back into the first round to take Jaxson Dart with the 25th overall pick.
Related: Russell Wilson takes command as New York Giants leader during OTAs
With the new additions to the team, the Giants have the potential to be one of the sleeper teams in the NFC. One of the reasons for the Giants’ struggles in recent years is that they’re 9-21-1 in the division in this decade, including being swept by all three NFC East opponents last season.
In addition to looking for revenge against the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders this season, the Giants will also look to put an end to three embarrassing streaks within the division.
Haven’t won in Philadelphia since 2013
You have to go back to October 27th, 2013, for the last time the Giants won in Philadelphia. The victory occurred in Week 8 with Eli Manning throwing for 246 yards, Peyton Hillis was the team’s leading rusher on that day with 70 yards, Victor Cruz led the team in receiving yards with 86, and the team won 15-7. Since then, the Eagles have won the last 11 meetings in Philly.
To put it in context of how long it’s been since the Giants won in Philadelphia, Russell Wilson was in his second year in the league, and Jaxson Dart was 10 years old.
Related: Insider sheds light on New York Giants starting QB competition, how practice reps are split
The Giants will look to get their first victory in the “City of Brotherly Love” for the first time in 12 years in Week 8 on Sunday, October 26th. New York will be a decisive underdog against the defending Super Bowl champions, but maybe lightning will strike again as it did 12 years ago, with the team pulling off an upset win in Week 8.
Haven’t beaten Dak Prescott since his rookie season in 2016
The Giants defeated the Cowboys 20-19 in Dak Prescott’s NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2016 season. Then, they beat him again in Week 14, 10-7. Since then, Prescott has owned the Giants, winning 13 consecutive games against them.
The last time the Giants defeated the Cowboys since Prescott’s rookie season was in the 2020 season finale when Andy Dalton was the Cowboys starter due to Prescott’s being out due to a fractured ankle that he suffered in Week 5. Barring another injury to the Cowboys’ signal caller, New York will have two chances to put an end to this streak in Week 2 and the regular season finale.
The only team in the NFC East that hasn’t won division in last 13 seasons
Perhaps what’s most disappointing to the Giants’ ownership is that every other team in the division has had a sustained level of success and has won multiple division titles since New York won the NFC East in 2011.
After the Giants’ last division title, the Cowboys and Eagles have won the division five times, and Washington has been crowned division champs on three occasions. It would be one thing if the team’s division title drought was due to one team dominating the division for over a decade, like the way the Patriots dominated the AFC East during the Brady/Belichick era. But for all three teams to have several recent division titles without a team winning the division in back-to-back seasons has to irk the Giants brass.
It will be difficult for the Giants to put an end to this embarrassing streak, as most are predicting they’ll finish last in the division. However, with the team having a future Hall of Fame quarterback leading them and an improved roster on both sides of the ball, maybe they can shock the football world and win their first division title in over a decade.
Related: Best, worst, and realistic scenarios for Jaxson Dart to make New York Giants debut
More About:NFL