The curtain is set to fall on the 2025 NFL regular season, and for the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, Sunday’s Week 18 clash at MetLife Stadium is all about pride, evaluation, and maybe a little bit of future planning. Both teams have already been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to play for—far from it. For the Giants, there’s the faintest hope of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while the Cowboys are looking to close out a roller-coaster season with a win and a .500 record.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET, with FOX broadcasting the action live from East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys enter as 3.5-point favorites, and the over/under sits at 49.5 points—a nod to both teams’ defensive struggles and the likelihood of some offensive fireworks, even if the stakes aren’t what fans had hoped for back in September.
Let’s rewind for a moment. The last time these two NFC East rivals squared off was in Week 2, when the Cowboys eked out a wild 40-37 overtime win in Dallas. Back then, Russell Wilson was under center for the Giants and put up a jaw-dropping 450 passing yards, with receivers Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson combining for 309 yards and three touchdowns. But Wilson’s stint as starter was short-lived. Enter Jaxson Dart, the rookie quarterback who’s now firmly in control of the Giants’ offense and looking to end his first campaign on a high note.
“Dart has flashed immense promise and, while not perfect, has helped put the Giants in position to win games… right before his defense gives up the lead,” noted one analyst this week. That about sums up New York’s season: flashes of hope, but not enough to change the narrative.
The Giants are coming off a resounding 34-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, a win that snapped a 12-game road losing streak stretching back nearly 15 months. That result, however, complicated their draft position. For the Giants to clinch the No. 1 pick, they’d need to lose to Dallas and hope the Raiders upset the Kansas City Chiefs—no small ask, especially with Patrick Mahomes on the other sideline. Still, the possibility lingers, adding a layer of intrigue to an otherwise low-stakes affair.
On the Dallas side, the Cowboys’ season has been a study in frustration. They started with high hopes, but a leaky defense and a string of injuries, especially in the secondary, have derailed their playoff ambitions. The recent release of star cornerback Trevon Diggs only underscores the team’s struggles at that position. With both Javonte Williams and Malik Davis on injured reserve, head coach Mike McCarthy is expected to give rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah—who’ll be making his NFL debut—plenty of snaps in the backfield. For Dallas, this is a chance to see what the youngsters can do under the bright lights, even if the outcome won’t change their postseason fate.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is slated to start, although there’s uncertainty about how long he’ll stay in the game. Some observers think he’ll play just enough to secure his passing yards crown—he leads Matthew Stafford by a mere 34 yards—before giving way to backup Joe Milton. “Dak Prescott insists that he will be on the field Sunday in a regular season finale that has no bearing on the postseason. He has won 14 straight starts against the Giants after losing both games to Dallas’ NFC East rivals as a rookie in 2016,” wrote Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com. That’s a streak Prescott would surely like to extend, even if only for a quarter or two.
As for the Giants, Jaxson Dart’s development remains the silver lining in an otherwise disappointing campaign. His passing yards prop is set at 206.5—an achievable target against a Cowboys defense that’s allowed that number in 12 of 16 games this season. “I expect Dart to roll Sunday and enter the offseason as the one silver lining for Big Blue,” said one betting analyst, eyeing Dart’s over as a smart wager.
Of course, the Giants’ defense has been a major liability all year, particularly against the run. They rank dead last in yards per carry, yards before contact per carry, and explosive runs allowed. That’s music to the ears of Blue and Mafah, who’ll be eager to make their mark before the offseason evaluations begin in earnest. The Cowboys’ offense, meanwhile, has been potent enough to keep them competitive, but their defense’s inability to hold leads has been a recurring theme.
Staff predictions for the game are all over the map, reflecting the uncertainty around who will actually play and for how long. Art Stapleton predicts a 27-20 Cowboys win, citing Prescott’s dominance in the rivalry. Bert Bainbridge goes with 20-17 Cowboys, expecting a low-scoring affair and another notch in Dallas’ recent string of wins over New York—nine straight and 16 of the last 17. Dave Rivera sees a tight 23-19 Cowboys victory, while Bob Jordan and Brian Marron both pick the Giants in shootouts, 36-35 and 31-27, respectively. Chris Iseman, perhaps echoing the sentiments of weary Giants fans, predicts a 34-20 Cowboys win and says, “The offseason can’t come soon enough for the Giants.”
Betting markets reflect this uncertainty. The spread has hovered between Cowboys -3 and -3.5, and the moneyline sits at -163 for Dallas and +137 for the Giants. The over/under at 49.5 points suggests oddsmakers expect some offensive fireworks, especially with both defenses struggling and the likelihood that key starters will see limited snaps. According to the SportsLine Projection Model, the Cowboys win 53% of simulations, with the Giants taking 39%—not exactly a ringing endorsement for either side.
One thing is clear: for players like Jaxson Dart, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah, this is more than just a meaningless game. It’s a chance to put something positive on tape, hit contract incentives, and head into the offseason with momentum. For veterans like Prescott, it’s about pride, streaks, and perhaps a little statistical padding. And for fans, it’s one last chance to cheer (or groan) before the long wait for next September begins.
So, while Sunday’s contest won’t decide any playoff fates, it’s still a meaningful finale for two teams in transition. With young quarterbacks, rookie running backs, and draft positioning on the line, both the Giants and Cowboys have plenty of motivation—even if it’s not the kind they envisioned back in Week 1. The action kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET, and with so many storylines in play, it’s a fittingly unpredictable end to the season for these storied rivals.