Jan. 4, 2026, 4:28 p.m. ET

The New York Giants entered their Week 18 game against the Dallas Cowboys with a choice. Should they take their foot off the gas pedal and secure the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by losing, or should they play their hearts out and end this miserable season on a high note?

The answer is the latter. The Giants came to play, and they played fairly well. So did the Cowboys, although they pulled several starters, including quarterback Dak Prescott, at halftime.

Both teams came into the game missing scores of stars and other key players, so neither club had many options. That made for a competitive game to close out the 2025 regular season for both sides.

Here’s a breakdown of the studs, duds, and in-betweens from the Giants’ 34-17 Week 18 win over the Cowboys.

Stud: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.

The Giants took full advantage of the Cowboys’ injuries in their back seven, and Tracy was the perfect back to exploit that with. Tracy rushed for 103 yards and added 56 more and a touchdown on eight receptions. In the process, he became the first 100-yard rusher the Giants have had in 23 games. The 156 yards from scrimmage performance gave Tracy a team-high 1,028 on the season.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Dud: Giants pass rush

No sacks on the day in a game where the Cowboys had 24 dropbacks. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter both had QB hits in the game, but overall, a quiet game to finish the season for a unit that ended up averaging fewer sacks per game (2.3) than they did in 2024 (2.6).

Stud: WR Gunner Olszewski

With Wan’Dale Robinson out, Olszewski saw nine total targets and reeled in eight of them for a total of 102 yards. He was given a chance to become a bigger hero when his number was called to throw a pass, but unfortunately, his effort fell short of a wide-open Chris Manhertz at the goal line.

Stud: LB Bobby Okereke

Okereke wants the Giants to keep him, and in the past few weeks, he’s picked up his game. In this one, he had six total stops, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

Stud: QB Jaxson Dart

Dart had another solid outing (22-of-32 passing for 231 yards and two touchdowns with 32 yards rushing on five attempts. The performance was highlighted by a Patrick Mahomes-like, backhanded flip to tight end Daniel Bellinger that went for a 29-yard score.

Stud: S Dane Belton

Belton continues to ball out, leading the Giants with 11 total tackles on defense and two assists on special teams.

Other studsCB Art GreenCB Dru PhillipsK Ben SaulsP Jamie GillanOther dudsOL Jermaine EluemunorTE Chris ManhertzCB Deonte BanksWR Darius SlaytonRun defense