If you’re looking for what's the New York Giants football score, the season is actually over—but it ended with a bang that nobody saw coming. On Sunday, January 4, 2026, the Giants absolutely dismantled the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 at MetLife Stadium.
It was a weird vibe. You’ve got a team that finished 4-13, basically bottom-feeding for most of the year, but then they come out and play their most complete game of the season against a bitter rival. It’s the kind of win that makes you wonder where that energy was back in October.
Honestly, the score tells part of the story, but the emotional weight of that afternoon in East Rutherford was the real headline.
Breaking down the final score and how it happened
The Giants didn’t just win; they controlled the tempo. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has had some serious growing pains this year, looked like the guy the front office hoped he’d be when they drafted him. He went 22-of-32 for 230 yards and two touchdowns.
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What really stood out was the distribution. He wasn't just forcing it to one guy.
- Daniel Bellinger caught a 29-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that put the Giants ahead 16-10.
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. hauled in a 13-yarder in the third.
- Devin Singletary slammed the door shut with a 6-yard touchdown run late in the fourth.
The defense was surprisingly stout too. They held Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' offense to just 17 points, which, considering how leaky this secondary has been, was a minor miracle. Bobby Okereke even snagged an interception off Joe Milton III late in the game to basically seal the deal.
A game ball for John Mara
The most moving part of the day wasn't on the stat sheet. Giants owner John Mara has been undergoing cancer treatment for the last few months. After the game, the locker room was reportedly "electric but heavy." Interim head coach Mike Kafka handed the game ball to Mara.
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Bellinger told reporters afterward that Mara mentioned he’s "jogging to his treatments" now because of the win. It’s easy to get cynical about pro sports and billionaire owners, but seeing a team play that hard for a guy going through a health battle? That’s real.
Even with a 4-13 record, those final two wins of the season—including the 34-10 blowout of the Raiders the week before—changed the "vibe" heading into a massive offseason.
What’s next for Big Blue?
So the 2025-2026 season is in the books. If you’re checking the score now, you’re likely looking toward the future. The Giants officially hold the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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There’s a massive coaching search happening right now. Mike Kafka did a decent job as the interim, and he’s getting interviews elsewhere (the Lions and Bucs are looking at him for OC roles), but the Giants seem to be swinging for the fences. Names like John Harbaugh have been floating around MetLife, though nothing is set in stone yet.
The 2026 opponents are already locked in too. Next year, the Giants will face the NFC West and AFC South, along with the usual suspects in the NFC East.
Why this 34-17 win matters for 2026
- Jaxson Dart’s Confidence: Ending on a high note is huge for a young QB. He looked poised and, more importantly, decisive.
- Draft Positioning: Winning those last two games actually "hurt" their draft stock (they could have been higher), but the culture boost is arguably worth more than moving up two spots.
- The Running Game: Tyrone Tracy Jr. finished the season strong with 159 total yards in the finale. He looks like a foundational piece.
Actionable steps for Giants fans
The season is over, but the "real" season for Giants fans—the offseason—is just starting. Here is what you should be watching over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the Head Coach Search: The Giants are expected to make a decision by late January. Keep an eye on virtual interviews.
- Draft Big Board: Start looking at offensive line prospects and top-tier receivers. At No. 5, the Giants are in a "best player available" situation.
- Cap Space: Check the salary cap updates. The team has some flexibility to bring in veteran help for Dart.
The score of the last game was 34-17, but the score of the 2026 offseason is still 0-0.