Bill Barnwell projects New York Giants to earn playoff spot in 2026

ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell expects the New York Giants to qualify for the NFL playoffs at the conclusion of the 2026 season. After finishing the 2025 campaign with a 4-13 record, the team faces the eighth-easiest schedule in the league according to FPI projections. Barnwell compares the current roster situation to the previous year's turnaround by the Chicago Bears, suggesting the New York Giants possess the potential for a significant improvement. Key additions and development efforts include players Jaxson Dart, Abdul Carter, Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely, Tremaine Edmunds, and Arvell Reese. While the analyst does not anticipate the team securing the NFC East division title, he views the roster as a contender for a wild-card position. The team must now navigate their regular-season schedule to realize these projections following a difficult previous year.

• 11:00 PMYahoo Sports — Bill Barnwell makes notable Giants prediction: Playoffs or no playoffs?