Do you want the good news or the bad news first?
The New York Giants might have some flashing warning lights heading into their Week 1 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, but let's start with the positive outlook. This Big Blue squad has improved significantly over the offseason and could be in a position to make a playoff push for the first time since the 2022 campaign. John Harbaugh has his G-Men set up for success.
As fans await the season opener, they can be confident in these three things.
Giants' defense has dramatically improved in 2026
This isn't the same Giants defense that gave up 40 points to the Cowboys early in the 2025 season. New York has made multiple changes to its defensive roster this offseason.
Most notably, both starting linebackers have been replaced. Tremaine Edmunds has been one of the most consistent players in the NFL over the last eight years, and rookie Arvell Reese already looks like a star. That combination alone could raise the level of the defense.
Supplemental pieces like D.J. Reader, Shelby Harris, and Greg Newsome II should help raise the floor of the unit. If the run defense is good enough to put elite pass-rushers Brian Burns and Abdul Carter in positions to make plays, this defense could even push for a spot in the league's top ten.
Giants are as healthy as fans could hope for entering Week 1
Every NFL team suffers unfortunate injuries in training camp and the preseason, including the G-Men. Calvin Austin III and Roy Robertson-Harris are both out for the season and would have played important roles. But at least compared to some other teams, the Giants are relatively healthy entering Week 1.
Malik Nabers seems to be on track to play against the Cowboys, though his role may be limited. Outside of the star receiver, the rest of the roster is mostly intact.
New York hasn't had to scramble to replace key starters in the last few weeks. After going through Harbaugh's brutal practice schedule, fans should be thankful that their team came out with limited injuries. It's an under-the-radar advantage against some of the league's more banged-up teams.
John Harbaugh has had Cowboys' number for over a decade
While the Giants haven't been able to get the better of the Cowboys too often in recent years, Harbaugh hasn't had any trouble doing so. In his head coaching career, he's 4-1 against Dallas. In fact, it's his second-best record against any NFC team on the Giants' 2026 schedule.
Harbaugh has a winning record against every NFC East team. The Cowboys have only managed one win against him, while he has lost to the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles twice.
His record against New York's NFC East foes should give fans confidence that the Giants have a real path to going from worst to first in the division. That journey starts with a crucial early test against Dallas, where Harbaugh's squad is set to show the NFL it means business.
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