New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely (9) catches a wide open second quarter touchdown ion the end zone as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Dee Winters (53) gives chance during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 13, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 season with high hopes. After Week 1, they have some work to do.
Dallas’ revamped defense struggled to contain Jaxson Dart and the Giants’ offense. The Cowboys also couldn’t come up with their normal explosive plays on offense. That all added up to a 28-20 Week 1 loss.
Dak Prescott went 22-for-34 through the air for 175 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Giants controlled the game’s momentum with powerful runs, picking up 165 yards on the ground.
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Below, you’ll find coverage, photos and more from Dallas’ Week 1 loss to the Giants:
— Revamped Cowboys defense doesn’t live up to hype in Week 1 as familiar issues resurface
— The Cowboys’ defense struggled, but don’t overlook Prescott and Co.’s failure at end of half
— Cowboys get bad news on Malik Hooker’s injury, awaiting tests on DeMarvion Overshown
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— Tim Cowlishaw’s Cowboys-Giants report card: Dallas won’t go anywhere playing like that
— Five takeaways from Cowboys-Giants: Dallas falls flat as biggest fears are realized
Fourth quarter
10:27 p.m.: Dallas’ defense struggled to stop the Giants all night. The offense couldn’t come up with its usual explosive plays. All of that led to a disappointing start to the 2026 season. The Cowboys fell 28-20 to the Giants in Week 1.
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10:10 p.m.: The Cowboys aren’t out of it just yet. Dallas needed just nine plays to get into the end zone. Dak Prescott found Javonte Williams for a 17-yard touchdown connection. The Cowboys were then hurt by another mental lapse, as Williams was called for taunting on the play. The running back extended the ball toward a defender when he scored. The penalty led to a long extra-point attempt, which Brandon Aubrey missed. Cowboys trail 28-20 with 5:21 left in the fourth.
10:01 p.m.: Jaxson Dart and the Giants have found plenty of success against the Cowboys’ defense. Dallas needed a big stop early in the fourth quarter, but the Giants quickly rattled off a 13-play, 65-yard drive to extend their lead. Dart found running back Devin Singletary for a 9-yard touchdown connection. Giants lead 28-14.
Third quarter
9:45 p.m.: We’re heading to the fourth quarter. The Cowboys have another opportunity to stop Jaxson Dart and the Giants. Can Dallas’ defense respond?
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9:32 p.m.: The Cowboys’ offense is showing signs of life. Dak Prescott led Dallas on a productive drive of its own, picking up 75 yards on 12 plays. Javonte Williams powered through the Giants’ defensive line for a 1-yard touchdown run to cut into New York’s lead. Cowboys trail 21-14 with 0:37 left in the third quarter.
9:18 p.m.: Dallas is still struggling defensively. Jaxson Dart led the Giants on a smooth 12-play, 74-yard drive to extend his team’s lead. The Cowboys aren’t generating any pressure on the quarterback. Dart closed out the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely. Giants 21, Cowboys 7 with 6:59 left in the third quarter.
9:15 p.m.: The Cowboys have called a timeout early in the second half to try and reorganize their defense. Things aren’t looking great for the unit early in the third quarter. Giants QB Jaxson Dart is carving up the defense and moving his team downfield.
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Second quarter
8:54 p.m.: The Cowboys will look to put that sloppy finish to the first half behind them. Dallas trails 14-7 heading into the break. The team made mistakes on both sides of the ball to close out the half and the Giants capitalized.
8:49 p.m.: The turnover proved costly for the Cowboys. Dallas’ secondary seemed lost on the Giants’ last drive, and that showed on Jaxson Dart’s first touchdown pass of 2026. Dart found open receivers on quick plays to move the ball swiftly downfield. He then closed out the drive by finding a wide-open Isaiah Likely for a 15-yard touchdown connection. Cowboys trail 14-7 with 0:14 left in the second quarter.
8:41 p.m.: Dallas’ defense is starting to come alive in this one. First, rookie DB Caleb Downs posted his first NFL sack. He delivered a jarring hit to Giants QB Jaxson Dart to force the ball loose. The Giants recovered, but turned the ball over on the following play when DT Quinnen Williams punched it out of Giants RB Tyrone Tracy’s hands.
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Dallas seemed to have the momentum on its side, until a Dak Prescott interception slowed things down. Giants safety Jevon Holland secured the pick with a sliding catch at the Giants’ 45-yard line with a few seconds left in the half.
8:21 p.m.: It took some time, but the Cowboys have scored their first touchdown of the 2026 season. Dallas sustained a successful drive and closed it out with a Dak Prescott-to-CeeDee Lamb scoring connection. Javonte Williams appeared to have scored the touchdown on a short run, but was ruled short of the goal line after review. Prescott put the ball where only Lamb could get it. Cowboys 7, Giants 7 with 5:44 left in the second quarter.
8:05 p.m.: Dallas’ defense came up with a key stop with the Giants facing third-and-2. Kenny Clark stepped up to stuff Cam Skattebo as he looked to power through for the first down. Officials missed a brief facemask grab from Quinnen Williams on the stop. When the Giants lined up to go for it on fourth-and-2, OL Jon Runyan Jr. was called for a false start. Dallas will get the ball back.
First quarter
7:58 p.m.: The first quarter has ended at MetLife Stadium. Dallas’ defense struggled early, but the unit was making some plays as the quarter came to an end. Donovan Ezeiruaku delivered a big hit on Isaiah Likely that jarred the ball loose, but the Giants recovered to maintain possession. New York faces a third-and-1 going into the second. Cowboys trail 7-0.
7:41 p.m.: Things aren’t looking so great for Dallas’ revamped defense early in this one. The Giants relied on their rushing attack to get into the end zone first. New York worked its way up the field behind strong runs from QB Jaxson Dart and RB Cam Skattebo. The drive ended up with an untouched Skattebo scampering in past Dallas’ defenders.
Giants lead 7-0 with 6:40 left in the first.
7:29 p.m.: Dallas’ first drive stalled on its own 37-yard line. It appeared Dak Prescott and George Pickens had connected for a first down, but the NFL’s replay assist ruled Pickens was half a yard short of the line of gain. The Cowboys tried to draw the Giants offside on fourth and inches, but the defense didn’t bite.
7:25 p.m.: Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense have taken the field to open the action at MetLife Stadium.
TV: NBC (Channel 5 in D-FW viewing area)
Radio: English: 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM); Spanish: 107.5 La Grande (KMVK-FM)
7:24 p.m.: The Giants won the opening toss and deferred. Dallas will get the ball to open its 2026 season.
6:54 p.m.: DeMarvion Overshown is displaying his leadership skills as Week 1’s kickoff approaches.
6:49 p.m.: Jerry Jones is ready to see Caleb Downs take the field for his first preseason game. The Cowboys owner also shared some pregame thoughts on the team’s new defense.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on rookie Caleb Downs: “It won’t be too big for him. He’s got his head on straight. He’ll be able to come out and compete without worrying about first time jitters in the NFL. We’re really proud to have him.”
Said on @1053thefan.
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) September 13, 2026
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on seeing his new defense for the first time: “I’m a little apprehensive. I’ve really got a lot of feelings about what we’re going to look like when we open the box.
“I don’t mind telling you I’m nervous. I’m anxious to see how we play.”
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) September 13, 2026
6:42 p.m.: Brian Schottenheimer has high hopes for Christian Parker’s official debut as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
What does Brian Schottenheimer expect from his defense in Christian Parker’s debut? Fly around, create havoc and tackle very well.
Said on @1053thefan.
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) September 13, 2026
5:59 p.m.: Here’s a look at the inactives for Cowboys-Giants:
Cowboys: CB Caelen Carson, OLB Tyrus Wheat, OL Ajani Cornelius, WR Camden Brown and RB Israel Abanikanda.
Giants: RB Najee Harris, S Jason Pinnock, CB Nic Jones, OL J.C. Davis, TE Thomas Fidone II, DL Bobby Jamison-Travis and WR Dalen Cambre.
5:57 p.m.: The New York Giants will have a key weapon for Week 1. Wide receiver Malik Nabers is active. His Week 1 status was up in the air as he continued to recover from a torn ACL.
Malik Nabers is active tonight for the Giants. No surprise here. Also, Camden Brown, one of he stars of camp, is inactive. No surprise as well. Brown is the sixth receiver on the roster.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) September 13, 2026