If you’re looking for a kickoff time for the G-Men this afternoon, I’ve got some bad news. The New York Giants are not playing today, Friday, January 16, 2026. Their season officially ended back on January 4th with a surprisingly gritty 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
While the rest of the NFL gears up for a massive Divisional Round weekend—with the Bills heading to Denver and the Niners traveling to Seattle tomorrow—the Giants are back at the facility in East Rutherford. But don't click away just yet. Honestly, today is probably one of the most important days for the franchise in a decade.
Why? Because the "playing" isn't happening on the field. It's happening in the front office.
The Harbaugh Shockwave and the 2026 Schedule
The biggest reason the Giants are the talk of the league today, despite not having a game, is the massive news regarding their next head coach. After firing Brian Daboll following a 2-8 start (and letting Mike Kafka steer the ship to a 4-13 finish), the Maras have reportedly landed the biggest fish in the pond.
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John Harbaugh is officially taking over. It’s a franchise-altering move. You’ve got a Super Bowl-winning coach coming into a building that has felt like it was stuck in a revolving door of "new eras" that never quite started. While the Divisional Round is happening this weekend, the Giants' front office is already looking at the 2026 opponents list that was just finalized.
Who the Giants face in 2026
Since they finished last in the NFC East, their 2026 path is set. They aren't playing today, but here is who they will be playing when the new season kicks off:
- The Usual Suspects: Home and away series against the Cowboys, Eagles, and Commanders.
- The West Coast Swing: They’ve got the NFC West on the docket. That means hosting the 49ers and Cardinals at MetLife, while traveling to take on the Rams and Seahawks.
- AFC South Matchups: They’ll host the Jaguars and Titans and hit the road to play the Texans and Colts.
- The "Place-Finish" Games: Because of their 4th place standing, they also drew the Browns (Home), Saints (Home), and Lions (Away).
Why the Giants are watching the Divisional Round so closely
You might wonder why Giants fans are still glued to the TV this weekend if their team is out. It’s all about Jaxson Dart.
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The rookie QB, who the Giants snagged at pick number 5 (via that Houston trade), had a rookie year that was... well, it was a rollercoaster. He showed flashes of being "The Guy," but his trips to the blue medical tent became a recurring meme that nobody in New York found funny.
Seeing how the playoff-caliber defenses are playing today gives us a baseline for what Dart needs to survive next year. The Giants finished 2025 with a 4-13 record, but a staggering seven of those losses were by a single possession. Basically, they were a few competent plays away from being exactly where the Bears or Rams are today.
What happens next for Big Blue?
The "offseason" is a bit of a lie in the NFL. There is no off time. Today, while the pads are off, the scouting department is in overdrive.
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With Brian Burns locking down a 2nd-team All-Pro nod, the defense has a heartbeat. The focus now shifts entirely to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. The Giants have a high pick again, and the debate in Jersey is raging: do they double down on the offensive line to protect Dart, or do they find another weapon to complement the growth they saw late in the season?
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Mark the Calendar: The 2026 NFL Schedule with exact dates and times usually drops in mid-May. Keep an eye out then to see when that San Francisco home game actually lands.
- Track the Coaching Staff: Now that Harbaugh is in, watch for who he brings in as coordinators. The "Harbaugh Way" usually involves a very specific type of defensive grit.
- Draft Watch: Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl and Combine. The Giants need depth in the trenches if they want to turn those one-score losses into wins next January.
The Giants aren't on the field today, but the foundation for 2026 is being poured right now. It's a weird time to be a fan—frustrating because of the 4-13 record, but weirdly optimistic because for the first time in a long time, the adults seem to be back in the room.