The scoreboard at MetLife Stadium read 34-17 as the clocks hit zero, and for a second, you could almost forget the season was a total disaster. If you were looking for the New York Giants score this week, that’s the number you need. They took down the Dallas Cowboys in the final game of the 2025-2026 regular season, finishing a grueling year with a bit of pride, even if the record books aren't going to be kind to them.
It was a weird vibe in East Rutherford. Usually, a 4-13 team is getting booed off the turf in January. But this time? The locker room was emotional.
Breaking Down the New York Giants Score and That Season-Ending Win
The Giants came into Week 18 with absolutely nothing to play for except draft positioning. Kinda funny, right? Most fans were actually rooting for a loss to secure a higher pick. Instead, the team went out and played their most complete game of the year.
Jaxson Dart, the young quarterback who has had a rollercoaster of a debut season, finally looked like the guy the front office hoped for. He finished the day outgaining the Cowboys' offense almost single-handedly at times. The final New York Giants score of 34-17 was sparked by a wild 29-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Bellinger. It wasn't your standard play-action look. Dart literally had to duck under a pass rusher and flip the ball backhanded—yes, backhanded—to Bellinger, who did the rest.
📖 Related: When Do the Cowboys Play? Navigating the Chaos of the Dallas Schedule
Honestly, it’s those moments that keep fans coming back. You spend four months watching a team struggle to find the end zone, and then they pull out a "razzle-dazzle" 2-point conversion where Devin Singletary throws a pass to Darius Slayton. Where was that creativity in October?
The Emotional Stakes Behind the Numbers
There was a deeper reason for the intensity. Co-owner John Mara has been going through cancer treatment, and the team clearly wanted to hand him a game ball. They did just that. It makes the "meaningless" January game feel a lot less meaningless when you see the players huddle up like that.
🔗 Read more: Keider Montero Strikeouts Per Game: What Most People Get Wrong
Bobby Okereke was the heart of the defense all afternoon. He recovered a Dak Prescott fumble early on and later snagged an interception that basically iced the game. If you're looking for why the Cowboys only put up 17, look at Okereke and Dexter Lawrence. They made life miserable for a Dallas team that looked like they already had their bags packed for the offseason.
- First Quarter: Giants 6, Cowboys 10. A slow start, mostly field goals.
- Second Quarter: Giants add 10, Cowboys 0. The momentum shifts.
- Third Quarter: Giants 8, Cowboys 0. That wild Singletary 2-point conversion happened here.
- Fourth Quarter: Giants 10, Cowboys 7. Finishing strong.
What This Score Means for the 2026 Offseason
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Winning this game actually "hurt" the Giants in one specific way: draft order. By beating Dallas, they moved to a 4-13 record. They’ll likely be picking fifth in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Is that a big deal? Some experts say yes. If they had lost, they might have been in a position to swap picks with a quarterback-hungry team like the Jets. But head coach Mike Kafka—whose job is still very much on the line despite the win—didn't seem to care about "tanking." He played to win.
✨ Don't miss: Kentucky High School Football Rankings: What Really Matters in the RPI Era
Key Performers in the Finale
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.: Finally hit that 100-yard rushing mark. He ended the season with over 1,000 scrimmage yards, proving he might be the long-term answer at back.
- Gunner Olszewski: Stepped in for an injured Wan'Dale Robinson and put up his first 100-yard receiving game.
- Ben Sauls: The kicker was perfect, going 4-for-4. In a season of errors, the special teams were a rare bright spot.
The reality is that while the New York Giants score looks great on a headline today, the roster is still thin. The defense under Charlie Bullen actually held opponents to 17 points or less in the final three games of the season. That's a massive improvement from the 40-point blowouts we saw in September.
Looking Ahead to the Schedule
The 2025 season is over, but the 2026 schedule is already taking shape. We know they'll be facing the usual NFC East rivals—Dallas, Philly, and Washington—but they also have tough matchups against the 49ers and Jaguars on the horizon.
If you're a fan, you're probably feeling that weird mix of "I'm glad it's over" and "Wait, maybe Dart is actually good?" It’s the classic Giants cycle. We see a spark of hope in a season finale and spend the next seven months convincing ourselves that a 4-13 team is actually "just a few pieces away" from a playoff run.
For now, take the win. Beating Dallas 34-17 is always a good day in New York, regardless of what the record says.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Replay: If you missed Dart’s backhand touchdown flip to Bellinger, find the highlight on the Giants' official YouTube channel; it’s the most creative play of their season.
- Track the Coaching Search: Keep an eye on local beats like Patricia Traina or Jordan Raanan over the next 48 hours, as staff changes are expected despite the win.
- Mock Draft Prep: Start looking at the top five prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft, specifically focusing on offensive line depth and secondary help, which remain the team's biggest holes.