The New York Giants closed out the 2025 season with a surprise win against the division rival Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on Sunday afternoon. The win marked the first time the team had a multi-game winning streak at any point during the season.

New York’s season ends on a high note after being marred by high-profile injuries and several coaching changes in the middle of the season. The Giants end the year with a 4-13 record and rights to the fifth-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, falling from a projected first-overall pick two weeks ago.

My Hottest Take: Charlie Bullen Might Have Won The Defensive Coordinator Job

Since the ouster of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Bullen’s aggressive playcalling has produced excellent returns over the last month of the season. In fact, most metrics of the defense have improved significantly, with several points registering major jumps.

According to TruMedia, Bowen’s defense ranked either dead last or close to last in yards per game, rushing yards surrendered per game, red zone efficiency, and points allowed. Over Bullen’s short tenure, the team ranked 11th, eighth, fifth, and eighth in those categories, respectively. The team also caused eight turnovers across the last four games of the season, more than the seven incurred over the first 13 games. They also did not surrender more than 400 yards in a single game post-Bowen.

Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter saw the most improvement from the changing of coordinators, registering 3.5 sacks after going the entire Bowen era registering half a sack. Veteran linebacker Bobby Okereke also saw improvement, snagging two interceptions across the last two games, while cornerback Dane Belton also saw improvement. Given Bullen’s experience as a linebacker coach, the front of the defense is bound for greater heights in 2026.

About the secondary, that still needs some reinforcement despite the emerging play of Cor’Dale Flott and Andru Phillips. Bullen’s expertise and results in 2025 should be enough to lock him down for the next few years as the defensive coordinator.

What You Need To Know: The Giants Won Despite Injuries

The team looked poised to lose in Week 18, given that a chunk of their starting roster was out with injury. Not including Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, most of their starting offense was on the bench at the start of the game.

New York did not have their starting wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, their starting tight end Theo Johnson and also did not have their starting linemen in Andrew Thomas and John Michael Schmitz. They also did not have safety Jevon Holland or Flott in their secondary, and also had Carter and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence suffer an illness that impacted their play.

The fact the team was able to score 34 points is nothing short of impressive, once again led by the backyard-style of play from Jaxson Dart. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. also rushed for 100 yards for the first time this season on 18 carries, and scored a receiving touchdown. Of course, Dallas had most of their starters either rested or out of the game entirely by the second half, it’s still a testament to what Dart brings to the table and a tale of what could have been this season.

Before You Go: Giants Locked In The Fifth Pick

Finally, the offseason for the Giants has arrived and they now have their pick locked in. General Manager Joe Schoen, who survived the Black Monday slaughter of coaches and GMs across the league, will once again be in charge of deciding this team’s future. His coaches, however, still remain undecided as we head into the new year.

As mentioned before, the team still needs some upgrades on defense, which makes them prime landing spots for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or linebacker Arvell Reese if he falls that far. The team, however, might be forced to pivot given their lower draft status this year and a lack of draft capital. Remember, the team is lacking a third-round pick since they used that to get Jaxson Dart late in the first round.

There is growing chatter the team could decide to address the defense in free agency and go with a wide receiver, their second top-five receiver selection in three years. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, who only got his shot this year, is rising up the boards, while Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson could be a complement to Nabers.