Imagine capping off a frustrating year with a resounding victory that not only secures a winning streak but also ignites hope for the future – that's exactly what the New York Giants achieved in their showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. Their 34-17 triumph marked the end of the 2025 season on an uplifting note, breaking a long drought from their last three-game win streak back in 2023 under quarterback Tommy DeVito. But here's where it gets intriguing: how will this momentum translate to next year? Let's dive into three key insights from the Giants' season finale that every fan should ponder.
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. Breaks the 1,000-Yard Scrimmage Mark in His Second Year
Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s journey as a sophomore running back got off to a rocky start. Early in the season, in Week 3, he dislocated his shoulder, which sidelined him and allowed rookie Cam Skattebo to step in as the starter. Skattebo brought a burst of energy to the role until a career-ending injury in Week 8 derailed his promising debut campaign.
Despite these setbacks, Tracy rediscovered his form and shifted into high gear for the remainder of the year. On Sunday, he notched his maiden 100-yard rushing performance of the season and wrapped up with an impressive 1,028 scrimmage yards – that's yards gained through rushing and receiving combined, a crucial stat in football that measures a player's overall contribution on offense. For context, building up to that mark often requires consistent performance and smart play-calling to maximize opportunities. According to Giants officials, Tracy joins an elite group of just two others in franchise history who reached this milestone within their first two seasons: wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and star running back Saquon Barkley. It's a testament to his resilience and growing impact.
Reflecting on his achievement, Tracy shared wisdom that's worth noting for aspiring athletes: 'I think they knew what I needed going in. I knew what I needed going in,' he said. 'But to be honest, that wasn’t really on the forefront of my mind. Obviously I wanted to have a good game, but you can’t really press for the yards. You can’t press to make a play. You have to allow it to come to you.' This mindset emphasizes patience – instead of forcing plays, letting opportunities arise naturally, which can lead to more sustainable success.
Looking ahead to 2026, all attention turns to whether Tracy and Skattebo can form a dynamic duo as a top-tier running back tandem. Adding to the excitement, Devin Singletary returns for the last year of his deal, creating a robust and versatile backfield that should bolster quarterback Jaxson Dart in the passing and rushing game. For beginners unfamiliar with backfield dynamics, think of it like having multiple weapons in a video game – it keeps defenses guessing and opens up more plays.
- The Intricacies of Draft Pick Positioning
Last week, the Giants effectively squandered a potential No. 1 overall pick by defeating the Las Vegas Raiders, and their victory over the Cowboys now locks them into the fifth slot for the upcoming NFL draft. This positioning might seem like a missed opportunity, especially since the Raiders' narrow 14-12 win against Kansas City on a dramatic 60-yard field goal in the dying moments of their game could have altered everything. If the Raiders had lost and the Giants had fallen, the Seahawks and Falcons' wins would have improved the Giants' draft lottery chances due to a tougher schedule strength. And here's where it gets controversial: some might argue the Raiders played conservatively knowing the stakes, but what if the Giants' loss would have inspired a different strategy? It's a classic case of 'what if' that fuels endless debates among fans and analysts.
Despite settling for fifth, the Giants aren't out of options. They can still reach out to other teams for trades, though a mid-tier pick holds less allure than a top-one or -two choice. Alternatively, they could hold onto it and select another talented youngster to complement Dart, potentially strengthening their young core. Sure, it's easy to chuckle at the Giants for not clinching the top spot – after all, they fell short of the same last year and still landed defensive lineman Abdul Carter in the first round while maneuvering to acquire Dart. If they secure a comparable gem this time, be it a standout player or trade pieces that yield productive talent, the fifth pick could prove just as rewarding. This raises an interesting point: in a league where draft capital is king, is chasing the No. 1 pick always worth the risk, or does building through consistent selections pay off more in the long run? Fans, what's your take?
- Speculation Surrounding Joe Schoen's Role Ahead
Following the dismissal of head coach Brian Daboll in November, general manager Joe Schoen received assurances that his position remained secure. But assuming ownership hasn't revisited that decision, what does his future entail as he gears up for next season's roster planning?
Schoen is poised to spearhead the search for Daboll's replacement, yet questions linger about the level of autonomy he'll enjoy. Will ownership grant him full reins to select a new coach, or will they impose limits to express dissatisfaction with the team's dismal record – just 5 wins in the last 29 games and 13 overall since 2023 began? To turn things around, significant adjustments are essential. Schoen's approach to assembling the roster contributed to the current predicament, and while ownership is placing faith in him to rectify it, introducing safeguards might be prudent to involve more stakeholders in the process. And this is the part most people miss: some argue Schoen deserves another chance given the rapid rebuild underway, while others contend that ownership's involvement could prevent repeating past mistakes. It's a delicate balance between trust and oversight in team management.
What do you think, Giants faithful? Should Schoen be given carte blanche to rebuild, or is it time for ownership to take a more active hand? Share your opinions in the comments – do you agree with trusting the process, or do you see a need for change? This is a hot topic that could define the franchise's direction.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
