The New York Giants will face the toughest part of their schedule at the very end of the 2026 NFL season.
Sports Illustrated’s Eva Geitheim identified that the Giants’ most difficult stretch of the year will come in Weeks 16-18, when they close out the season against the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Toughest part of schedule: Weeks 16 to 18 (at Lions, at Cowboys, vs. Eagles)
If the Giants become playoff contenders under John Harbaugh, they’ll have to prove it at the end of the season against the Lions, Cowboys and Eagles. If the Eagles lock up a playoff spot before Week 18, the matchup could be advantageous for the Giants, potentially giving them a late-season win.
The Lions are expected to bounce back after missing the playoffs in 2025 with a 9-8 record. Detroit boasts a lethal offense led by Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, a unit that will test the Giants’ defense in every way during their road game in Week 16.
The Cowboys will present another serious test. Dallas features what may be the NFL’s best wide receiver tandem in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, who combined for more than 2,500 receiving yards last season. The Cowboys’ ground game will also pose problems for New York, though Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has the talent and weapons to match Dallas’ offensive firepower in what could be a high-scoring road affair.
The Eagles will challenge the Giants with their elite secondary, led by first-team All-Pro cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. With A.J. Brown leading the offense, Philadelphia could be the strongest team New York faces all season at full strength.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants face brutal stretch to close out 2026 regular season
Reporting by Matt Legros, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
