Giants open NFL season with decisive win over Cowboys
New York never trailed in John Harbaugh’s first game as coach, with Jaxson Dart and Isaiah Likely leading a controlled Week 1 performance.
The New York Giants began the 2026 NFL season with a commanding Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, never trailing in John Harbaugh’s first game as the club’s coach.
The result marked a significant shift in the rivalry’s recent pattern. Dallas had won 16 of the teams’ previous 18 meetings dating back to 2017, while New York entered the season after a 4–13 campaign in 2025.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 79.3 per cent of his passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also carried 11 times for 54 yards, giving the Giants an efficient performance on the ground as well as through the air.
Isaiah Likely was Dart’s most productive receiving target, recording eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Malik Nabers added six receptions for 69 yards as the pair provided consistent outlets for the second-year quarterback.
Dallas produced individual defensive plays, including rookie Caleb Downs’ first-career sack and a forced fumble by Quinnen Williams. Coverage lapses, however, allowed the Giants to maintain control, including a late second-quarter touchdown to a wide-open Likely.
New York also established pressure through its running game, scoring on back-to-back second-half drives that each lasted at least 12 plays. Fox Sports identified the result as an early indication of the impact of Harbaugh’s arrival, while the supplied report did not include the final score.
