EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants closed their 2026 preseason with a decisive 23-6 victory over the New York Jets on Friday night at MetLife Stadium, moving to 2-1 on the summer and sending an optimistic message to coaches and fans as the organization heads into roster cutdown day Sunday.
Running back room gains clarity
Last week’s addition of veteran running back Najee Harris has changed the look and expectations for New York’s backfield, and Friday’s game provided a blueprint for how the Giants might deploy their ground game this fall. Harris, characterized in team discussions as a steady early-down back, offers a physical presence that can help sustain long drives and wear opposing defenses.
What became evident against the Jets was not just a single lead back but a deep corps that gives the Giants multiple options in short-yardage, early-down and rotational work. That depth could allow the team to maintain fresh legs throughout four quarters, an emphasis the coaching staff has signaled for the regular season.
Special teams emerging as a strength
Special teams has been a focal point since the Giants hired John Harbaugh as part of the staff, and the work appears to be paying off. Free-agent punter Jordan Stout has brought consistency to the kicking game, and rookie kicker Dominic Zvada showed promise in preseason action. Under coordinator Chris Horton, return and coverage units are operating with more discipline, giving the Giants new reliability in phases of the game that have swung outcomes in previous seasons.
Defense looks markedly different
Perhaps the most striking development Friday was the defense, which many observers said looked unrecognizable compared with last season’s inconsistent unit. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has the group playing with notable speed, physicality and cohesion. The unit’s performance came despite several key players not logging preseason snaps, suggesting that the improved play is systemic rather than tied to a few individuals.
The combination of a disciplined front, faster reaction times and more decisive tackling allowed the Giants to control much of the game and limit the Jets to a single touchdown drive.
- Score: Giants 23, Jets 6
- Preseason record: Giants 2-1
- Next game: The Giants open the regular season at home vs. Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13 (Sunday Night Football)
| Area | Observation |
|---|---|
| Running game | Deep rotation with Najee Harris as early-down option |
| Special teams | Improved punting and kicking; disciplined cover units |
| Defense | Faster, more physical, coordinated under Dennard Wilson |
With the preseason concluded, attention now shifts to the final roster decisions the Giants must make Sunday to pare the roster down to 53 players. Coaches and front-office staff will weigh performance, positional depth and special-teams value — the latter of which may carry additional weight given Harbaugh’s emphasis on that phase.
For fans, the victory offers a clearer picture of the team's identity heading into the regular season: a commitment to running the ball, a renewed confidence in special teams and a defense that appears, at least in early returns, to be playing with purpose.
The Giants will not play another tune-up; their next on-field test will be their season opener at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13, when they face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
As they prepare for that game, the staff will finalize the roster composition and snap-count plans that emerged during the preseason, while monitoring health and readiness across all position groups.
The win over the Jets gives the organization momentum, but it also leaves open questions that will be answered by cuts and the first regular-season game — most notably how the team balances a crowded backfield, continues to build on special-teams gains and sustains the defensive performance shown in preseason play.
