Sunday Night Football opens with one of the NFL’s biggest rivalries.
The Dallas Cowboys travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants, with both teams trying to start 2026 by making a statement. Dallas enters as a three-point favorite, with the total sitting at 48.5.
Giants Resume Check
This is the beginning of the John Harbaugh era, and there’s plenty of excitement surrounding New York.
Jaxson Dart gets his first Week 1 start, while the biggest question is whether Malik Nabers will play. Nabers is returning from a torn ACL and meniscus and has practiced fully this week, but he still hasn’t committed to playing Sunday.
If Nabers is out or limited, that’s a massive loss for an offense trying to keep pace with Dallas.
Cowboys Resume Check
Dallas enters Year 2 under Brian Schottenheimer with an offense that could be extremely difficult to stop.
Dak Prescott has CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens on the outside, giving Dallas one of the most dangerous receiving duos in football. Pickens could be particularly important against a revamped Giants secondary.
The concern is the offensive line. All-Pro guard Tyler Smith is on injured reserve after thumb surgery, creating an immediate test against New York’s defensive front.
How the Giants Win
Pressure Dak.
New York needs to attack Dallas’ weakened offensive line and prevent Prescott from sitting comfortably in the pocket. Offensively, Dart needs to avoid turnovers and get the ball to Nabers if he’s available.
How the Cowboys Win
Let Dak cook.
The Giants have to find a way to defend Lamb and Pickens simultaneously, and that’s easier said than done. If Dallas protects Prescott reasonably well, there should be opportunities for explosive plays.
History also heavily favors Dallas. The Cowboys are 14-3 against New York with Prescott starting and 16-4 against the Giants over the past decade.
Prediction
I think New York makes this uncomfortable.
The Giants’ defensive front will cause problems, Dart will make a few big plays and the possibility of Nabers returning makes their offense much more dangerous.
But when the game gets tight in the fourth quarter, I’m trusting the veteran quarterback.
Cowboys 28, Giants 24.
