New York Giants fans better hope the team doesn’t have a sweet tooth, because their remaining schedule is a cupcake. While it’d be nice to finally see some wins after another brutal season, stringing together a few now would actually do more harm than good.
The G-Men are currently in the driver's seat for the dreaded yet celebrated No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Draft. That's what happens when you slog through a season at 2-11, becoming the first team to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. On the surface, they don't need the first pick. They have plenty of foundational pieces in place, but other teams don't, especially at quarterback.
That's where having the highest-coveted selection comes in handy -- unlimited trade-back scenarios. However, there are still four games left against four not-so-intimidating teams. And if this team wants to avoid 2023's late-season surge that cost them a top-five pick, they'd better avoid Brad Gagnon's nightmare scenario for Big Blue:
"They win several games against a soft December schedule that includes matchups with the Commanders, Vikings and Raiders, costing them a primo pick in the 2026 draft."
Easy remaining schedule might cost Giants the No. 1 overall pick
Giants fans remember the Tommy DeVito experience all too well. It was objectively electric to watch the hometown undrafted underdog go 3-3 to close out the 2023 season after Daniel Jones got hurt. But it did cost them a shot at Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, and Jayden Daniels.
The 2026 quarterback class isn't as deep, but Indiana's Fernando Mendoza figures to be the first quarterback off the board. Seeing as though the G-Men already roster rookie QB sensation Jaxson Dart, they could use the No. 1 pick to trade back and fleece a signal-caller-needy team such as the Jets, Steelers, or Raiders.
It'll be a lot easier said than done. Yes, NY is 2-11, but the losses are inflated a bit due to multiple fourth-quarter collapses. They've had more offensive plays while leading this year than the Lions, Bills, and Broncos -- meaning they're a heck of a lot more competitive than their trash record would suggest.
The remaining four games are an absolute joke:
Week | Opponent | Record |
|---|---|---|
15 (Home) | Washington Commanders | 3-10 |
16 (Home) | Minnesota Vikings | 5-8 |
17 (Away) | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-11 |
18 (Home) | Dallas Cowboys | 6-6-1 |
Total: 16-35-1 |
Unless interim head coach Mike Kafka instructs his team to tank -- which is highly unlikely since he's literally coaching for a job -- it's going to be hard for the G-Men to walk out with the No. 1 pick. Circle that Week 17 Raiders game for a potential first overall pick bowl.
Wins would be nice, sure, but this season is already over. The focus should be on preserving that top pick and setting up 2026 as the real clean slate. No need to mess with the flow now.