Giants-Cowboys opener puts Harbaugh debut under early scrutiny
Dallas enters as a three-point favourite as New York begins the John Harbaugh era against an NFC East rival.
The New York Giants will begin the 2026 NFL season against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium, with John Harbaugh set to make his coaching debut for New York. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET.
Harbaugh arrives after 18 years coaching the Baltimore Ravens. His first game comes against a Dallas side that finished second in the NFC East at 7-9-1 last season, while the Giants finished fourth at 4-13.
The Cowboys are listed as three-point favourites, with the betting line set at 47.5 total points. Dallas was 3-6 on the road in 2025, while New York was 3-5 at home.
Giants receiver Malik Nabers is a game-time decision with a knee injury. Jaxson Dart is expected to start at quarterback for New York, while Dallas will be led by Dak Prescott in his 11th season.
CBS Sports analyst R.J. White is leaning towards fewer than 48 combined points, citing efforts by both teams to improve defences that were porous last season. The teams ranked in the top half of the league for total yardage but in the lower half for total defence, according to the source.
