Can the 2026 Giants Have a Successful Season After Beating the Cowboys in Week One?
Fans and analysts got their first taste of what the New York Giants will look like in the 2026 season. It was a game full of surprises, excitement, and plays that Giants fans hadn’t seen since the days of former head coach Tom Coughlin and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning. Big Blue beat out the Dallas Cowboys in a 28-20 game. It was the first time in 18 years that the Giants had won a Sunday Night Football game on prime time. This is just the beginning of what could be a fantastic season ahead.
New York proved they can put together a team that moves together and finds its rhythm. It just starts with finding the right head coach, and John Harbaugh seems to be it. He has really turned this team around from what it was in 2024 and 2025 under former head coach Brian Daboll. The Giants went 3-14 in 2024 and 4-13 in 2025. The team lacked structure, and it was messy in every aspect.
With Harbaugh coming in, Big Blue has found that he doesn’t mess around. The veteran head coach has made it clear: if a player doesn’t want to be here, he can leave. Harbaugh also took the time to cut those who he found just weren’t the right fit for his team. He made sure his players are there to play the game, not just be there for the money. This head coach has taken the time to help them bond during training camp and summer practices. It seems to have made a difference in how this team shows up on the field.
The differences were clear on the football field during Week One. The team worked as a unit, not as a few individuals. In 2025, much of the team depended on Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, who were both injured at one point during the season. When mistakes happened, players took full ownership and found ways to fix them. The team also found ways to surprise opponents with their plays. No player was left in the dark like they had been in the past few years, unsure of what was going on.
New York's red zone has become much cleaner. Last season, the Giants pulled off drives fans could remember. However, by the time the team got to the goal line, they couldn't find a way into the end zone. They often went for the kick, and at the time, they didn't have the right kicker and often missed extra points. That simply wasn't enough to keep them ahead. From what many were able to pick up on the field, Big Blue’s communication was off the charts during their first game of the season. They had a touchdown on nearly every drive because the team worked together to make that happen.
Big Blue also seemed to find a rhythm on both sides of the ball. More on the offensive side than the defensive side. The offensive side was down in the end zone quicker than fans could blink. It was harder for the defensive line to find its rhythm because it's still being rebuilt and still learning. There are more rookies than not on this section of the team, but nearly every area is covered. It showed how much attention was paid during Week One to stopping runs. They did their best to put an end to most of those runs.
Overall, Big Blue may have a successful season as a top-tier team once again. If they keep playing well, they could have one of the best records this coming year. There is no stopping them at the moment, and many may begin to fear the New York team once again. It’s been a long time coming, but this team definitely looks like there’s no way to go up from here. The Giants will take on the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, September 21st, on Monday Night Football.
