New York sports fans have suddenly been given a reason to feel optimistic across the board. The Jets and Giants both opened the 2026 NFL season with victories, something that had not happened since 2009.
And for Yankees fans, that particular piece of history is especially interesting because of what happened the last time New York’s two NFL teams both started 1-0.
Nov 4, 2009; Bronx, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) holds up the World Series trophy after the Yankees won their 27th championship. The Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in game 6 of the 2009 World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Jets opened the 2009 season by beating the Houston Texans 24-7, while the Giants defeated Washington 23-17. It was the last time both New York NFL teams won their season openers in the same year.
That 2009 season turned out to be a pretty memorable one for New York sports fans.
The Yankees finished the regular season with a 103-59 record, won the AL East and ultimately defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to capture their 27th World Series championship.
Fast forward 17 years, and the Jets and Giants have once again started a season 1-0.
That is obviously not a guarantee of anything for the Yankees, but it is an awfully fun coincidence with the MLB postseason approaching.
Nov 4, 2009; Bronx, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (center), Jorge Posada (left), and Mariano Rivera (right) look at the championship trophy after beating the Phillies to win their 27th championship. The Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in game 6 of the 2009 World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Yankees enter the final stretch of the 2026 regular season with legitimate championship aspirations. They have already clinched a playoff spot and remain firmly in the American League postseason picture, while the team recently welcomed Aaron Judge back from the injured list.
More importantly, New York has Cam Schlittler pitching like an ace and appears to have enough offensive firepower to make a serious postseason run.
Meanwhile, the Jets and Giants both delivered impressive Week 1 performances.
The Jets defeated Tennessee 23-10, with Geno Smith playing mistake-free football and the defense holding the Titans to just 10 points. The Giants then defeated Dallas 28-20 behind three touchdown passes from Jaxson Dart and a strong overall performance in John Harbaugh’s debut.
Both teams are obviously just 1-0, and the Yankees still have plenty of work to do before October.
But if New York sports fans want to believe in signs, this is certainly one worth remembering.
The last time the Jets and Giants both won Week 1, the Yankees ended the season as World Series champions.
History is officially on the Yankees’ side.
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