Do the New York Giants have the potential to run the table against their AFC opponents next season?
The Giants went 2-3 against AFC teams in 2025. New York defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders last season but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots.
The Giants went 2-2 in those games with starting quarterback Jaxson Dart under center. Russell Wilson was responsible for New York’s loss to the Chiefs.
This season, the Giants will face five new AFC teams in non-conference play, and they have reason to be confident that all are beatable. New York will take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 3, followed by the Houston Texans in Week 7, the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11, the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, and the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.
The Giants are poised to defeat the Browns, though a healthy Deshaun Watson has the talent to pose a threat as Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
The Colts represent another favorable matchup for New York. However, the Giants allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league last season (2,470) and permitted opposing running backs to average 5.3 yards per carry, the highest mark in the NFL. That defensive weakness does not bode well against Indianapolis’ rushing attack led by Jonathan Taylor.
Nevertheless, New York figures to be much improved on offense next season with a more experienced backfield and a stronger receiving corps, giving the Giants the edge over Indianapolis even with Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner back in the lineup.
The Giants’ matchup against the Titans will pit them against former teammates Wan’Dale Robinson and Cor’Dale Flott, as well as former coach Brian Daboll, who is now Tennessee’s offensive coordinator. The Titans have boom-or-bust potential with talent throughout their roster.
However, the quarterback matchup should be the biggest determining factor, and it favors New York. Dart projects to have the upper hand over Cam Ward, paving the way for a Giants victory.
The Giants’ two most difficult non-conference games will come against the Texans and the Jaguars. While New York has a strong chance to go 3-1 in the four games leading up to the Houston matchup, the Texans’ defense is expected to be the difference-maker and hand the Giants one of their two non-conference losses.
The other is projected to come against the Jaguars, whose offense should prove too much with Trevor Lawrence orchestrating it with precision.
Overall, the Giants project to finish with a 3-2 record against AFC opponents next season, although a clean sweep isn’t outside the realm of possibility.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Could New York Giants run the table against AFC opponents in 2026?
Reporting by Matt Legros, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
