Jason Leach
There was a ton of excitement across the football world on Thursday as the 2026 NFL schedule was released, and we finally know when and where all 32 teams will play their games.
The New York Giants will be one of the most fascinating stories of the NFL season, as many feel that under head coach John Harbaugh and second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, the team can go from 4-13 to the playoffs in 2026.
But making the postseason won’t be easy, as Big Blue plays six teams that made the playoffs last season and have a tough final month of the season.
We’re just under four months from the start of the season, and here are our early game-by-game predictions.
Related: 3 New York Giants Options If Malik Nabers Is Not Ready For Week 1
Week 1: Home Dallas Cowboys (Sunday Night Football)
The last time New York started the season at home against Dallas was in 2023, and they were thoroughly dismantled 40-0. But this time around, things will be different as Big Blue will begin the Harbaugh era with a win. W (1-0)
Week 2: @ Los Angeles Rams (Monday Night Football)
It’s always tough trying to stop a Sean McVay offense, especially when you’re trying to get acclimated to your new defensive coordinator’s scheme. Matthew Stafford will have his way with the secondary as the Giants will suffer their first loss of the season to the Rams. L (1-1)
Week 3: Home Tennessee Titans
The Giants will welcome back their former head coach, Brian Daboll, and several of their former teammates to MetLife Stadium. But they won’t give them a warm reception as Jaxson Dart will outduel Cam Ward in a battle between two second-year quarterbacks. W (2-1)
Week 4: Home Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals might be the worst team in the NFC, but New York will not overlook them. Big Blue will have a convincing victory and win their second game in a row. W (3-1)
Week 5: @ Washington Commanders
Surprisingly, the Commanders are the only team in the division that has swept the Giants in each of the last two seasons. Washington will win another close battle in this rivalry. L (3-2)
Week 6: Home New Orleans Saints
The Giants and Saints both finished last in their respective divisions last season, but some feel they can go from worst to first in 2026. Expect New York to pull off a close victory and avenge their 26-14 loss a season ago. W (4-2)
Week 7: @ Houston Texans
With the additions they made on offense, the Giants’ offense should be more explosive than it’s been in years. Unfortunately, this week they’ll go up against the Houston Texans‘ NFL-best defense. This will be too much to overcome, and they’ll go down in defeat. L (4-3)
Week 9: @ Philadelphia
Playing in Philadelphia has been a nightmare for New York as they haven’t won there since 2013. Despite a valiant effort coming off the Giants’ bye, they’ll lose again in the “City of Brotherly Love”. L (4-4)
Week 10: Home Washington Commanders (Thursday Night Football)
New York puts an end to their losing streak to Washington on a short week as the defense rattles quarterback Jayden Daniels and comes away with an impressive victory. W (5-4)
Week 11: Home Jacksonville Jaguars
The Giants are trying to do what the Jacksonville Jaguars did last season in going from 4-13 to division champions. Time will tell if New York will accomplish that feat, but on this Sunday, they’ll come away with a win. W (6-4)
Week 12: @ Indianapolis Colts
He may never admit this publicly, but Daniel Jones would love to get revenge on the team that gave up on him. Unfortunately for the veteran quarterback, he will not get revenge on the team that drafted him as Big Blue will win its third straight. W (7-4)
Week 14: @ Seattle Seahawks
Playing in Seattle is one of the toughest places to play, as the crowd noise can be deafening. On top of that, they’re the Super Bowl champions with a dominant defense, and quarterback Sam Darnold’s confidence is at an all-time high. The champs will be victorious in this contest. L (7-6)
Week 15: Home Cleveland Browns
The Giants will put an end to their losing streak against the Browns, thanks to a dominating performance from their defense and big plays from their special teams unit. W (8-6)
Week 16: @ Detroit Lions (Monday Night Football)
The Detroit Lions overwhelmed New York’s defense in their 34-27 overtime victory in Week 12 last season. The Giants’ defense will fare better, but the outcome will be the same with the Lions picking up the win. L (8-7)
Week 17:@ Dallas Cowboys
New York hasn’t won at Dallas since Week 1 of the 2016 season, which was Dak Prescott’s NFL debut. Their losing ways will continue in Big D with another disappointing loss. L (8-8)
Week 18: Home Philadelphia Eagles
The Giants will close the 2026 regular season with a win over their bitter division rivals and finish the season with their first winning record since 2022. W (9-8)
Related: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating Worst, Best Teams After NFL Draft
