The New York Giants opened the 2026 NFL regular season with a 28-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on September 13, 2026. The Week 1 Sunday Night Football matchup took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York built its offense around quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo, and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Dallas relied on Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams. The Giants produced 394 total yards, while Dallas finished with 244 yards.
The game also marked John Harbaugh’s first regular-season game as Giants head coach. Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Isaiah Likely became his leading receiving target with eight catches, 78 yards, and two touchdowns. Prescott completed 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Javonte Williams scored twice for Dallas, but the Cowboys struggled to sustain drives and held the ball for only 23:20 compared with New York’s 36:40.
Final Score and Match Overview
The Giants controlled the scoreboard after Cam Skattebo opened the game with a three-yard touchdown run. Dallas responded through CeeDee Lamb in the second quarter, but New York answered with an Isaiah Likely touchdown before halftime. Likely added another touchdown in the third quarter, giving the Giants a 21-14 advantage. Devin Singletary then caught a nine-yard touchdown from Dart in the fourth quarter. Dallas responded with a late Javonte Williams touchdown, but New York managed the closing possession and secured the win.
The final score reflected a significant difference in offensive volume. New York ran 68 plays and generated 394 yards, while Dallas ran 52 plays for 244 yards. The Giants also converted nine of 11 third-down opportunities before the final kneel-down sequence, according to the Giants’ official recap. Dallas remained competitive on the scoreboard, but the Cowboys struggled to maintain possession and generate consistent yardage. The result gave New York a 1-0 record and left Dallas 0-1.
Final Score Table
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| New York Giants | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Dak Prescott’s Passing Performance
Dak Prescott finished the game with 22 completions on 34 attempts for 175 passing yards. He threw two touchdown passes and one interception. His first touchdown came when he found CeeDee Lamb for a one-yard score in the second quarter. His second touchdown arrived in the fourth quarter when he connected with Javonte Williams for a 17-yard touchdown. However, Prescott’s interception before halftime helped New York maintain momentum during an important stretch.
Prescott’s final numbers did not match Dallas’ offensive expectations entering the season. The Cowboys had fewer offensive plays, fewer total yards, and less possession time than the Giants. NFL’s Week 1 analysis noted that Dallas had produced fewer than 200 yards deep into the fourth quarter. Prescott also had an interception that came while attempting to throw the ball away. The turnover became an important moment because the game was tied 7-7 when it occurred.
Dak Prescott Passing Stats
| Player | C/ATT | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dak Prescott | 22/34 | 175 | 2 | 1 |
Jaxson Dart’s Breakthrough Week 1 Performance
Jaxson Dart delivered one of the strongest individual performances in the matchup. The Giants quarterback completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also rushed 11 times for 54 yards. That combination gave New York an efficient passing attack while adding another dimension through quarterback rushing. Dart repeatedly kept drives alive and showed composure while operating the Giants’ new offensive system.
Dart’s performance became particularly important because the Giants were introducing a new coaching era under John Harbaugh. His three touchdown passes went to Isaiah Likely twice and Devin Singletary once. Dart also used his legs effectively when Dallas pressured the pocket. His 23 completions on 29 attempts produced a completion rate of almost 79%, while his zero interceptions allowed New York to maintain offensive control throughout the contest.
Jaxson Dart Passing Stats
| Player | C/ATT | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaxson Dart | 23/29 | 230 | 3 | 0 |
Javonte Williams Leads the Cowboys
Javonte Williams became one of Dallas’ most productive offensive players. He rushed 12 times for 41 yards and scored a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Williams also caught five passes for 31 yards and added a 17-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter. His two touchdowns accounted for a significant portion of Dallas’ scoring production. The Cowboys therefore used Williams in both phases of their offensive attack throughout the game.
Williams’ fourth-quarter touchdown briefly gave Dallas another opportunity to reduce the deficit. Prescott found him for the 17-yard score with just over five minutes remaining. However, Dallas missed the extra point after the touchdown, leaving the Cowboys eight points behind rather than seven. New York then controlled the remaining possession. Williams’ overall contribution was important, but the Cowboys needed more consistent production from the rest of their offense.
Dallas Rushing Leaders
| Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javonte Williams | 12 | 41 | 1 |
| Dak Prescott | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| Emari Demercado | 2 | 7 | 0 |
Isaiah Likely Becomes the Giants’ Top Receiver
Isaiah Likely was the Giants’ leading receiving performer. He caught eight passes for 78 yards and scored two touchdowns. His first touchdown covered 15 yards late in the second quarter, giving New York a 14-7 lead. His second touchdown came on a two-yard reception in the third quarter. Likely also converted important third-down situations late in the game, helping the Giants maintain possession when Dallas was trying to mount a comeback.
Likely’s performance was particularly notable because he had previously played for Baltimore during Harbaugh’s tenure. His familiarity with Harbaugh’s coaching environment added an interesting storyline to the opener. More importantly, his eight receptions provided Dart with a dependable target across multiple situations. The Giants needed only a few key receiving contributions to complement their rushing attack, and Likely supplied both touchdown production and chain-moving receptions.
Giants Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Receiving Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Likely | 8 | 78 | 2 |
| Malik Nabers | 6 | 69 | 0 |
| Darnell Mooney | 2 | 27 | 0 |
Malik Nabers Returns With Six Receptions
Malik Nabers returned to action and immediately became an important part of New York’s passing attack. He finished with six receptions for 69 yards. Although he did not score a touchdown, Nabers consistently provided Dart with an outside receiving option. His return was one of the notable storylines surrounding the Giants because he had missed much of the previous season after suffering a knee injury.
Nabers’ contribution also helped prevent Dallas from focusing exclusively on Likely. With two reliable receiving options available, Dart could distribute the ball rather than depend on one target. Darnell Mooney added two catches for 27 yards, while Devin Singletary produced the Giants’ fourth touchdown through the air. The receiving group therefore complemented New York’s ground attack and helped the Giants sustain possession for more than 36 minutes.
Cam Skattebo Controls the Ground Game
Cam Skattebo carried the ball 18 times for 81 yards and one touchdown. His three-yard touchdown in the opening quarter gave the Giants their first lead of the night. Skattebo averaged 4.5 yards per carry and remained involved throughout the game. His workload helped New York establish a physical rushing presence while allowing Dart to operate from a more balanced offensive structure.
Dart added 54 rushing yards on 11 attempts, while Devin Singletary contributed 16 yards on six carries. Together, the Giants rushed 37 times and created a major contrast with Dallas, which recorded only 18 rushing attempts. New York’s ability to run the ball repeatedly helped extend possessions and contributed to the Giants’ significant advantage in time of possession.
Giants Rushing Leaders
| Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Skattebo | 18 | 81 | 1 |
| Jaxson Dart | 11 | 54 | 0 |
| Devin Singletary | 6 | 16 | 0 |
Team Statistics Comparison
The team statistics show why New York controlled the matchup despite Dallas remaining within one score during the final stages. The Giants produced 394 total yards compared with 244 for Dallas. They also ran 68 plays to Dallas’ 52. New York held possession for 36:40, more than 13 minutes longer than the Cowboys. That possession advantage gave the Giants more opportunities to sustain drives and limit Dallas’ offensive chances.
Dallas did have some positive efficiency numbers, particularly in the red zone, where the Cowboys converted all three of their opportunities. However, the Giants produced more first downs and ran significantly more plays. Both teams finished with one turnover, while penalties also affected the contest. New York committed 10 penalties for 114 yards, and Dallas committed nine penalties for 90 yards. The Giants overcame those mistakes through their offensive volume and sustained drives.
Team Comparison Table
| Statistic | Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 244 | 394 |
| Passing Yards | 175 | 230 |
| Rushing Yards | 69 | 165 |
| Total Plays | 52 | 68 |
| Yards per Play | 4.7 | 5.8 |
| Possession | 23:20 | 36:40 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Penalties | 9 | 10 |
| Penalty Yards | 90 | 114 |
Key Moments That Changed the Game
One of the most important sequences came late in the second quarter. With the game tied at 7-7, Prescott threw an interception while attempting to get the ball away. New York capitalized on the opportunity and finished the half with Likely’s 15-yard touchdown reception. That score changed the momentum and gave the Giants a 14-7 halftime lead.
The Giants then extended their advantage in the third quarter through Likely’s second touchdown. Dallas answered with Williams’ one-yard rushing score to make the game 21-14. New York responded again in the fourth quarter when Dart found Singletary for a nine-yard touchdown. Dallas scored again through Williams, but the missed extra point left the Cowboys needing a touchdown and successful two-point conversion to tie.
New York Giants Control Time of Possession
Time of possession became one of the clearest statistical differences between the teams. New York controlled the football for 36 minutes and 40 seconds, while Dallas had possession for only 23 minutes and 20 seconds. The Giants’ ability to keep drives alive meant Dallas had fewer opportunities to establish rhythm. Their 68 offensive plays also reflected the advantage created by sustained drives.
The Giants’ third-down performance supported that possession advantage. New York converted nine of its first 10 third-down opportunities before the final kneel-down sequence, according to the team’s official analysis. Dallas could not match that consistency. The difference allowed New York to control the pace and repeatedly keep the Cowboys’ defense on the field. By the final minutes, the Giants were able to protect their eight-point lead and finish the game without giving Dallas another meaningful possession.
Dallas Cowboys Offensive Statistics
Dallas finished with 244 total yards, including 175 passing yards and 69 rushing yards. Prescott accounted for most of the passing production, while Williams led the rushing attack with 41 yards. CeeDee Lamb led the receiving group with five catches for 44 yards and one touchdown. George Pickens added three receptions for 28 yards. The Cowboys therefore received production from several players but lacked the explosive overall output needed to control the game.
The Cowboys also struggled to maintain offensive rhythm during long portions of the contest. NFL’s Week 1 analysis highlighted drops from Lamb and Pickens and noted that Dallas had less than 200 yards deep into the fourth quarter. The offense eventually produced two late touchdowns, but the missed extra point after Williams’ receiving score complicated the comeback situation. Dallas will therefore have several offensive areas to review after opening the season 0-1.
Dallas Passing, Rushing and Receiving Leaders
| Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | Dak Prescott | 22/34, 175 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Javonte Williams | 12 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | CeeDee Lamb | 5 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Javonte Williams | 5 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | George Pickens | 3 receptions, 28 yards |
New York Giants Offensive Statistics
The Giants generated 394 total yards, with 230 passing yards and 165 rushing yards. Dart led the passing attack, while Skattebo and Dart combined for 135 rushing yards. Likely led the receiving group with 78 yards and two touchdowns, while Nabers added 69 yards. The balanced production allowed New York to avoid relying exclusively on one player and kept Dallas’ defense dealing with multiple offensive threats.
New York also demonstrated efficiency on important downs. The Giants converted nine of 11 third downs before the final kneel-down sequence, helping them maintain possession and protect their lead. Dart’s ability to make plays with both his arm and legs added another layer to the attack. Skattebo’s running complemented the passing game, while Likely provided the decisive receiving production during several important drives.
New York Passing, Rushing and Receiving Leaders
| Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | Jaxson Dart | 23/29, 230 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT |
| Rushing | Cam Skattebo | 18 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Jaxson Dart | 11 carries, 54 yards |
| Receiving | Isaiah Likely | 8 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Malik Nabers | 6 receptions, 69 yards |
| Receiving | Darnell Mooney | 2 receptions, 27 yards |
Final Match Summary
The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 in the 2026 Week 1 opener at MetLife Stadium. Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards. Isaiah Likely caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, while Cam Skattebo rushed for 81 yards and one touchdown. Malik Nabers also contributed six receptions for 69 yards in his return to regular-season action.
Dallas received two touchdowns from Javonte Williams and one from CeeDee Lamb, while Dak Prescott finished with 175 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Cowboys scored twice in the second half but could not overcome New York’s control of possession and offensive volume. The Giants finished with 394 total yards to Dallas’ 244 and ran 68 plays compared with 52. The 28-20 result gave New York a winning start to the John Harbaugh era.
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