The New York Giants kicked off John Harbaugh's tenure with a decisive victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold has already voiced confidence that the first‑year head coach can guide the team back into the postseason mix. Harbaugh assumed control of a Giants franchise that had been coasting along after his departure from the Baltimore Ravens, where he spent 18 seasons at the helm.

He inherited a roster filled with youthful talent that had been searching for a clear identity, having managed only two winning campaigns in the past decade. The arrival of quarterback Jaxson Dart sparked fresh optimism, while the defensive line showed promise of evolving into one of the league's premier pass‑rush units. The immediate impact of Harbaugh's philosophy was evident in the opening week, as New York toppled their NFC East rivals, the Cowboys, by a score of 28‑20. Dart threw three touchdown passes, two of them finding tight end Isaiah Likely, and running back Cam Skattebo added a rushing score to seal the win.

The performance set the tone for what many hope will be a resurgence for a franchise that has struggled to find consistency in recent years. Elsewhere on Sunday, the NFL delivered its usual drama: Josh Allen kept the Buffalo Bills in contention with a late‑game heroics, Derrick Henry shone for the Baltimore Ravens, and the Chicago Bears displayed a potent offense in a wild opening day across the league.

This whirlwind of action was captured in the weekend review, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the 2026 season. "You're going to see the Harbaugh imprint on these Giants," Reinebold asserted on the Inside the Huddle podcast.

"The Giants have been improving incrementally over the past three or four years, and now that Harbaugh is here, that upward trajectory could accelerate." Reinebold noted that while Harbaugh's staff did not draft key players like Dart, Skattebo, or Malik Nabers, they have inherited a pool of talent that was already in place. "There are a lot of good players in New York that the previous regime didn't draft," he said. "What Harbaugh has done is establish a culture that was missing.

The organization is now building on that foundation, and bringing in Isaiah Likely was a smart move. If you're a Giants fan, you have to appreciate the direction this is heading." He was careful to temper expectations, acknowledging that the team is not yet perfect and may not capture the NFC East title this season. "I don't think they're going to win their division, but I do think they could be a playoff team," Reinebold concluded.

An electric atmosphere at MetLife Stadium greeted a hungry, driven squad eager to shake off the lingering dysfunction that plagued previous iterations of the Giants. The victory marked the team's first week‑one home win since 2010 and its first opening‑week triumph since the 2022 season. Next on the schedule is a road test against the Los Angeles Rams, following the Rams' loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne. The Giants' most recent playoff appearance came in the 2022 season, when they finished third in the NFC East, defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round, and eventually fell 38‑7 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.

That run demonstrated the franchise's potential when the pieces click, and many hope Harbaugh can replicate or surpass that success. Reinebold emphasized the transformation he sees: "What you see is a tougher team, a group that plays with emotion and cohesion.

This will be the real acid test. In a city with the most distractions in the world—countless newspapers, endless media coverage—can Harbaugh keep his players focused?" He added, "They're just out of training camp.

Now they're out there tonight, and everybody in New York is already praising them. The challenge is maintaining that focus throughout the season. If they can do that, they have a legitimate shot at the playoffs.

That's Harbaugh's test." The broader NFL landscape promises more excitement as the season progresses. Fans can follow the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every game, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. As the Giants embark on this new chapter under Harbaugh's leadership, the question on everyone's mind remains: can they translate early promise into a deep postseason run?

The answer will unfold over the next twelve weeks, but early signs suggest that the Giants are moving in the right direction.