The 1 thing that must go right for Giants to upset Cowboys in John Harbaugh’s debut

There seemed to be a dark cloud hanging over the New York Giants in recent years under former head coach Brian Daboll. After making the playoffs in 2022, the Giants got worse each of the next two seasons. They fell to 6-11 in 2023 and 3-14 last year. The Giants had multiple opportunities to win games additional games each of those seasons, but poor play and key mistakes led to back-to-back last-place finishes in the NFC East.

There was a realization that the Giants would not be able to overcome the mistake-prone leadership they had on the sidelines, and when former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh became available, the Giants did not hesitate.

This appears to be a winning move and it has been from Day 1. Harbaugh served as the sideline boss of the Ravens for 18 seasons. He compiled a 180-113-0 regular-season record along with a 13-11 mark in the postseason. That included a Super Bowl title at the conclusion of the 2012 season. He is clearly one of the NFL’s elite coaches, and the fact that he decided to go with the Giants sends a signal to every player that he believes in them.

The Giants are counting on an improved offense and consistent play from talented second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. He displayed high-level passing skills, athleticism and plenty of courage in his rookie season. Dart completed 216 of 339 passes for 2,272 yards with an impressive 15-5 touchdown to interception ratio. He also showed off his ability to get away from the pass rush and run the ball successfully. He had 86 carries for 487 yards and 9 TDs a year ago.

While he had impressive numbers and Dart appears to have a brilliant future, there is a “look at me” characteristic to his personality that may not jibe with winning football.

That is an area that Harbaugh can correct, and it starts with Week 1 when the Giants host the Cowboys.

Giants must take advantage of high-level wide receivers

If Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy can support the Giants with a consequential running game, Dart should have an excellent opportunity to connect with his talented group of wide receivers.

The Giants have a talented No. 1 wideout in Malik Nabers, who is coming off a torn ACL. He was brilliant in 2024 when he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie after catching 109 passes for 1,204 yards with 7 touchdowns. His size, strength, athletic ability and excellent hands will give the Cowboys defense a major problem since there is an unstoppable quality to his game.

Nabers has confidence that he will be in top form when the season gets underway. “I feel like when I get out there, I feel like I’ll be better than what I was before,” Nabers said, per The Athletic.

In addition to Nabers, the Giants have rookie Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham and resourceful veteran Darnell Mooney. Those four wideouts and former Ravens tight end Isiaiah Likely should give the Giants a passing attack that has a chance to be quite explosive.

If the Giants are going to assert themselves with a high-level offense this season, they need to serve notice to the rest of the NFC East in their season opener against the Cowboys by attacking through the air.

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