Giants Close Season With Emotional Win Over Cowboys.

The New York Giants ended a difficult season on a high note Sunday night, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 34–17 at MetLife Stadium and honoring owner John Mara with a game ball following the victory. The win came as Mara continues cancer treatment, adding emotional weight to the season finale. Players described the postgame locker room as especially meaningful. Tight end Daniel Bellinger, who caught a 29-yard touchdown pass, praised Mara’s resilience and leadership, noting that the owner has maintained an active routine despite his treatments. Teammates credited his perseverance as a source of motivation during a challenging year. The victory moved the Giants to 4–13 and extended their winning streak to two games, though it also dropped them out of contention for a top-two pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Despite concerns from some fans about draft positioning, the organization remains optimistic, particularly because of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s continued development. Dart delivered another solid performance in his twelfth professional start, completing 22 of 32 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. His scoring throws to Bellinger and running back Tyrone Tracy highlighted his growth, and veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton expressed confidence that Dart has the talent to be the franchise’s long-term answer at quarterback. Dallas, which finished the season at 7–9–1, approached the game more cautiously. Starting quarterback Dak Prescott played only the first half, throwing for 70 yards and losing a fumble before being replaced by Joe Milton. Prescott later reflected on the frustration of strong individual statistics not translating into wins.

The Cowboys briefly showed promise with rushing touchdowns from Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, both the first of their NFL careers. However, defensive struggles continued to haunt Dallas, as the unit allowed more than 30 points for another week. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasized the team’s inability to stop the Giants on third down and limit explosive plays. Tensions rose midway through the third quarter after a touchdown pass from Dart to Tracy. A scuffle between linemen resulted in multiple penalties and the ejection of Dallas linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku. New York capitalized by converting a two-point attempt and maintaining momentum for the rest of the game. Injuries also played a role. Dallas safety Markquese Bell exited with a concussion, while the Giants lost linebacker Darius Muasau to an ankle injury and had cornerback Rico Payton evaluated for a possible concussion.

Looking ahead, Dallas is expected to retain Schottenheimer, though changes to the coaching staff remain possible. The Giants, meanwhile, are preparing for a coaching search, with uncertainty surrounding whether general manager Joe Schoen will lead the process.