So, you’re looking to see if the New York Giants play today, Saturday, January 17, 2026. I'll give it to you straight: they don't. The Giants' season actually wrapped up on January 4th with a surprisingly solid 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. While that victory felt good in the moment, it left Big Blue with a 4-13 record and firmly on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
While teams like the Bills and Broncos are battling it out in the Divisional Round today, the Giants are in the middle of a massive institutional shift. Honestly, even though there's no kickoff at MetLife today, this might be the most important Saturday for the franchise in a decade.
The Harbaugh Era Begins in New York
The biggest news hitting the wires right now is that the Giants are reportedly finalizing a deal with John Harbaugh to become their next head coach. After eighteen seasons and a Super Bowl ring in Baltimore, Harbaugh was let go by the Ravens just last week. The Giants didn't waste any time.
It’s a huge move. Brian Daboll’s tenure had its highs, but a 4-13 finish is hard to survive in New York. Harbaugh brings that "adult in the room" energy the Mara family usually loves. People around the league are already buzzing about how this changes the locker room culture. Harbaugh isn't just coming in to tweak the offense; he's coming to rebuild the entire foundation.
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Draft Watch: The No. 5 Pick
Since there isn't a New York Giants play today scenario, fans are pivoting hard toward the 2026 NFL Draft, which is set for April in Pittsburgh. By finishing with such a dismal record, the Giants secured the No. 5 overall pick.
That spot is prime real estate. Usually, when you're picking that high, you're looking for a franchise quarterback or a generational tackle. Given the way the offensive line struggled throughout 2025, that's likely where the focus stays. We’ve seen mocks already linking the Giants to several elite prospects.
The Senior Bowl rosters were just released yesterday, too. That’s where the real scouting starts. Giants' scouts will be in Mobile, Alabama, starting January 27th to look at over 130 draft prospects. If you're a die-hard fan, that's the "game" you should be watching now.
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Key dates for your calendar:
- January 27-29: Senior Bowl Practices (The real talent evaluation happens here).
- January 31: The Senior Bowl game.
- April 23-25: The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Who Will the Giants Face Next?
We already know the opponents for the 2026 season, even if we don't have the exact dates yet. The NFL’s rotation means the Giants are set to face the NFC West and the AFC South next year.
Home games at MetLife will include the usual NFC East rivals—the Cowboys, Eagles, and Commanders—plus heavy hitters like the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals. They’ll also host the Jaguars and the Titans. On the road, they’ve got tough trips to Seattle, Houston, and Los Angeles to play the Rams. It’s not exactly a "get right" schedule, but with a new coach, expectations will be reset.
What Most Fans Are Getting Wrong About the Offseason
A lot of people think the Giants are just "one or two players away." Kinda feels like we've been saying that since 2016, right? The truth is a bit more complicated. The roster has some serious talent—Dexter Lawrence II remains a literal mountain in the middle of the defense, and Wan'Dale Robinson has shown flashes of being a legitimate WR1—but the depth just isn't there.
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Harbaugh's first task won't just be the draft; it'll be navigating a salary cap that is, frankly, a bit of a mess. Managing the roster while trying to stay competitive in the NFC East is a tightrope walk.
Actionable Steps for Giants Fans Today
Even though the New York Giants play today isn't happening, you can still stay ahead of the curve.
- Track the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on who Harbaugh brings in as coordinators. A coach is only as good as his assistants, and the Giants need a creative spark on both sides of the ball.
- Watch the Divisional Games: Pay attention to the Bills vs. Broncos today. Look at the speed and the line play. That's the level the Giants need to reach to be relevant again in January.
- Check the Senior Bowl Roster: Go to the official Giants site and look at the Senior Bowl invites. Start googling the offensive linemen on that list; one of them will likely be protecting the Giants' QB next September.
The road back to the playoffs is long, but for the first time in a while, it feels like there's actually a map.