NFL looks to cash in on New York Giants early with primetime games
The NFL is looking to cash in on the John Harbaugh-led New York Giants with two early primetime games again top-value franchises.
The New York Giants will open the 2026 regular season with back-to-back primetime appearances. The football public is probably figuring the NFL is trying to cash in early on the Giants' stellar offseason transformation. Perhaps -- but the more likely reason -- has little to do with football.
The league wants to put its top assets on display right away to maximize ratings. After finishing 4-13, their third consecutive losing season and 10th in 12 years, Giants ownership decided they had had enough. They put on a full-court press, hiring John Harbaugh as head coach and restructuring their front office to suit his vision.
The Giants then crushed the 2026 NFL draft, landing the top defensive player (Arvell Reese) and offensive lineman (Francis Mauigoa) in the first round, followed by a top cornerback in Colton Hood in Round 2 and a possible unicorn wide receiver in Notre Dame's Malachi Fields in Round 3. But far too often in recent years, the Giants have been out of playoff contention by Halloween. Knowing this, the league likely feels putting them on National TV early on is the best place for them.
Also, pairing them with the league's top two-valued teams (Dallas and the Los Angeles Rams ) will assist in boosting ratings. The Giants host the Cowboys in Week 1 on Sunday Night Football . In Week 2, the Giants travel to Los Angeles to face the Rams on Monday Night Football .