Giants Win Their 2025 Season Finale Over Dallas
- Kenny McDonald
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
With a win over the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants finished the 2025 season at 4-13. They will not have the No.1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, and will instead pick at No. 5.
Sunday’s season finale at home was a statement win for the Giants, as they finished off the Cowboys 34-17. Even with wins in the last two weeks, the Giants head into the offseason with plenty of question marks surrounding the team’s future. I mentioned last week that this could be Joe Schoen’s final season, but after thinking it through a little bit more, I don’t see the Giants making that change. Instead, I believe they’ll give him another year to try and figure things out.
Before putting a bow on the 2025 season, I’ll provide a recap of today’s game, key contributors, and some closing thoughts.
The content doesn’t stop now that the season is over — keep an eye out for an upcoming piece on what to expect from the Giants this offseason. Let's get to it.
Quick Recap
After a botched snap and fumble by Dak Prescott on the Cowboys’ opening drive, the Giants struck first with a Ben Sauls field goal to take a 3–0 lead. The ensuing four drives between both teams all resulted in either a field goal or a touchdown. After a few solid weeks, the run defense reverted to its usual struggles and was gashed for 95 yards and a Jaydon Blue touchdown in the opening half.
Late in the second quarter, Jaxson Dart led the Giants down the field on an 11-play, 96-yard drive to give New York a 16–10 lead at the break. Dart was excellent in the first half, throwing for 154 yards and a touchdown.
The Giants took a 24–10 lead on their first drive of the second half and never looked back. Even a costly Tyrone Tracy Jr. fumble late in the third quarter couldn’t slow them down, as the Giants held the Cowboys scoreless in the third and allowed just seven points in the second half.
The defense was strong throughout, with Bobby Okereke playing a central role. He helped force the Prescott fumble in the first half and later intercepted Joe Milton in the fourth quarter, setting up another Giants scoring drive.
The Giants closed out their season with a 34-17, marking two weeks in a row putting up 34 points!
Key Contributors
Last week, my focus was on Jaxson Dart and Wan’Dale Robinson, who dismantled the Raiders through the air. Robinson didn’t suit up this week, and while Dart was once again impressive, I’m going with two players on opposite sides of the ball who made timely plays when it mattered most. Congrats to this week's key contributors: Bobby Okereke and Gunner Olszewski.
Bobby Okereke
The leader of the defense. Okereke was in the right place early in the first quarter to recover a botched Dallas snap, setting the Giants up in prime field position. As mentioned earlier, he also came up with a massive interception to stall a Cowboys drive deep in Giants territory.
He finished the day with six total tackles and a pass deflection. It was a well-rounded performance and a strong way for Bobby O to close out the season. There were murmurs about his future with the Giants prior to this year, but his play in 2025 should keep him with the team in 2026, the final year of his contract.
Gunner Olszewski
One of the grittiest players on the field today, Olszewski played like a warrior and finished the afternoon as the Giants’ No. 1 wide receiver. With Theo Johnson and Wan’Dale Robinson sidelined, the Giants needed someone to step up and Olszewski answered the call.
He finished with eight receptions on nine targets for 102 yards and quickly became one of Dart’s favorite options. Wherever he ends up next season — whether with the Giants or elsewhere — just know I’ll be an Olszewski fan for life.
Final Thoughts
Much of the conversation will center on how the Giants played themselves out of the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft. While that frustration is understandable given the disappointment of this season and similar outcomes in recent years, at least the Giants don’t need to worry about drafting a quarterback. They have their QB1, and his name is Jaxson Dart.
Dart’s development has been the highlight of the season for me. I’m excited to see the leap he takes next year with a new head coach and offensive coordinator. With a few more weapons around him and a healthy Cam Skattebo entering 2026, Dart and the Giants should be positioned for more competitive football.
The offseason brings a fresh reset, and 2026 could be a pivotal inflection point, not just for Joe Schoen’s tenure, but for the long-term direction of this franchise.
Rest up, Giants fans. The 2025 chapter is closed, and it’s on to 2026. Here’s hoping for more competent Giants football in the near future.