Sadly, the show must go on for the New York Giants. They have to put on a brave face and soldier on without their ascending second-year quarterback, Jaxson Dart, who's reportedly slated for season-ending knee surgery.
Long-term outlook aside, New York still has to get through 2026. How they move forward after losing Dart will be interesting to watch. Head coach John Harbaugh and Co. are heading into the softest part of their schedule, which can be equally frustrating and a blessing.
On one hand, a prime opportunity to exploit what looks like easier matchups on paper with Dart under center is gone. On the other hand, facing relatively inferior foes gives them a puncher's chance to stay afloat with veteran backup Jameis Winston (or someone else). It's all about perspective, baby!
From there, however, the Giants enter a difficult stretch starting in late October that doesn't really let up aside from a couple of contests. Of course, a lot can change between now and then, as they're experiencing firsthand with Dart. Players get hurt, trades happen, teams just flat-out fail to meet expectations; variance is what makes football so captivating and maddening at the same time.
That being said, let's try to predict New York's remaining games for the campaign.
Predicting the Giants' rest-of-season schedule without Jaxson Dart
Week 3 vs. Tennessee Titans
This was shaping up to be an exciting clash between Dart and his former head coach, Brian Daboll, who's now the Titans' offensive coordinator. By all accounts, they had a strong relationship, so it would've been fun to see them go toe-to-toe. Instead, we have a potential Toilet Bowl battle on our hands.
Regardless, Big Blue has just enough to rally around Winston and eke out a win over Tennessee in the first game post-Dart injury.
Prediction: Win
Week 4 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Morale is higher than it was before the Titans came to town. The Giants feel better about their odds of staying competitive despite Dart's absence — before getting humbled by the Cardinals.
Arizona certainly has its own issues to sort out, namely overcoming the placement of talented young cornerback Will Johnson on injured reserve (neck). Not having him can expose their lack of pass rush even more.
Alas, the Cardinals have enough offensive firepower to come out on top in East Rutherford. All-Pro tight end Trey McBride, electrifying rookie running back Jeremiyah Love and standout wide receiver Michael Wilson are a dynamic trio.
Prediction: Loss
Week 5 @ Washington Commanders
Suddenly, the NFC East is seemingly a two-horse race. Washington saw their franchise centerpiece, Jayden Daniels, go down with a dislocated left elbow a day before Dart's unfortunate fate. We were robbed of a duel between rising-star passers and are left with two grizzled No. 2 passers, Winston and Marcus Mariota. Yippee ... sike!
New York boasts more talent on its roster to withstand their respective crushing blow. They take down the Commanders on the road in an ugly slugfest.
Prediction: Win
Week 6 vs. New Orleans Saints
Quietly, the Saints are one of the more intriguing upcoming opponents in more ways than one. They appear to be on an upward trajectory, like the Dart-led G-Men were before disaster struck. But more notably, this was supposed to be the first showdown between him and fellow 2025 draft classmate Tyler Shough.
The Dart-Shough debate is ongoing, and their head-to-head confrontation will further the discussion, yet it has to wait. For now, New Orleans' signal-caller puts the squad on his shoulders and defeats New York.
Prediction: Loss
Week 7 @ Houston Texans
Houston is when the sledding gets tougher. They have arguably the NFL's top defense, featuring Pro Bowlers on all three levels. Don't expect the club to play with their food in a lopsided interconference bout. A turnover-prone Winston will be in hell.
Prediction: Loss
Week 9 @ Philadelphia Eagles
Even with a Week 8 bye, a Dart-less Giants group can't keep pace with a formidable divisional foe. Philly has won eight of their last 10 meetings. It hasn't been pretty for the Eagles so far, though a strong infrastructure masks blemishes and helps them persevere and prevail, as it does here.
Prediction: Loss
Week 10 vs. Washington Commanders
At this point, it wouldn't be shocking if someone other than head coach Dan Quinn were calling the shots for the Commanders. He's on the hot seat, and his future hinges on Daniels' status, for better or worse. Harbaugh's guys don't go down without a fight and take advantage of a rival in disarray to improve to 4-5.
Prediction: Win
Week 11 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Here comes the avalanche. The Jaguars are too good on both sides of the ball. QB Trevor Lawrence has established himself as a legitimate MVP candidate and bolsters his case by blowing the Giants to smithereens.
Prediction: Loss
Week 12 @ Indianapolis Colts
Beating Daniel Jones, who holds a special place in Giants lore, would be the Super Bowl of moral victories. That'll be easier said than done, especially because the Colts have a human freight train in the backfield in stud running back Jonathan Taylor. The latter will have no problems moving the chains and generating explosives against a soft front.
Prediction: Loss
Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco's Brock Purdy may low-key be hitting another gear. He's the only quarterback playing at Josh Allen's level with the Buffalo Bills through two games. The Giants don't have the weapons to trade blows with a high-octane 49ers attack.
Prediction: Loss
Week 14 @ Seattle Seahawks
Taking on the reigning champions in their house was already a tall task, let alone doing so without Dart. Seattle will be focused on rounding into playoff form while presumably jostling with the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams for NFC West supremacy. New York, trending in the polar opposite direction, can't handle the monsoon coming its way in one of America's rainiest cities.
Prediction: Loss
Week 15 vs. Cleveland Browns
Finally, the bleeding stops, albeit too little, too late. Whether it's Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, this might be the one game where the Giants have the QB edge, and Winston capitalizes. While New York ends their skid, the Browns emerge as the true winners and climb the Tankathon draft order.
Prediction: Win
Week 16 @ Detroit Lions
Funny (or sadly) enough, Winston got the nod when these two organizations squared off last year in a surprisingly fun shootout. He completed 18 of 36 attempts for 366 yards, two touchdowns and an interception (and also caught a 33-yard touchdown). Nevertheless, New York had no answer for electrifying tailback Jahmyr Gibbs, who posted 264 scrimmage yards and three scores, and still doesn't.
Prediction: Loss
Week 17 @ Dallas Cowboys
We'll always have Harbaugh coming in and immediately slaying the dragon that is the Dak Prescott-helmed Cowboys, who've dominated the G-Men for the past decade-plus. It was a short-lived moment in the sun, and Dallas gets back on track with a late-season romp.
Prediction: Loss
Week 18 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
A meaningless finale has become an annual tradition for the Giants. Capping off another lost year with a win is highly unlikely unless the Eagles rest their starters.
Prediction: Loss
Final record: 5-12
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