{"id":435587,"date":"2026-09-14T13:48:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T13:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/435587\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T13:48:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T13:48:11","slug":"2-winners-3-losers-from-cowboys-embarrassing-week-1-loss-to-giants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/435587\/","title":{"rendered":"2 Winners &#038; 3 Losers From Cowboys&#8217; Embarrassing Week 1 Loss to Giants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9b\">The Dallas Cowboys&#8217; offseason of hype hit a wall as they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/biggest-takeaways-from-dallas-cowboys-ugly-week-1-loss-new-york-giants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">lost to the New York Giants 28-20<\/a> in embarrassing fashion.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9g\">While losing to a divisional rival is something that happens often, the Cowboys were completely outmuscled in this one. The New York offense controlled the game all day, which is something <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/dallas-cowboys-disrespected-nfl-analyst-picks-giants-dominate-key-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Brian Baldinger predicted<\/a> before the two teams took the field.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9l\">It was so bad that Dallas got the ball just two times in the second half and lost the time of possession battle 36:40 to 23:20. With that said, here&#8217;s a look at who stood out as winners and losers in the defeat.<\/p>\n<p>Winner: Quinnen Williams, DT<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2ezj23vz701qxdzr4.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams looks on during the game between the Cowboys and the Saints.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams looks on during the game between the Cowboys and the Saints.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"a2\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams looks on during the game between the Cowboys and the Saints. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a8\">The Giants&#8217; offense was moving the ball with ease late in the second quarter, ready to reclaim the lead. With the score tied 7-7, New York was set to take the lead on a drive that had covered 64 yards. That didn&#8217;t happen, however, thanks to Quinnen Williams.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ad\">Williams fought through his block and chased down Tyrone Tracy, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NFL\/status\/2099312059058196977?s=20\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">punching the ball out of his hands<\/a>. The ball flew right into the arms of cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., giving the Cowboys their first turnover of the game. The offense failed to take advantage, but it was still a huge win for Williams.<\/p>\n<p>Loser: George Pickens, WR<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2eweyr31mcyzfj434.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens catches a pass before being tackled by New York Giants DB Dru Phillips.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens catches a pass before being tackled by New York Giants DB Dru Phillips.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"au\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens catches a pass before being tackled by New York Giants DB Dru Phillips. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b0\">There was a lot that went wrong in the first half for Dallas, and George Pickens was a part of the problem. Pickens had two dropped passes, and while one would have been negated due to a penalty, the second was an absolute killer. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b5\">Dallas had just recorded their first turnover of the season and could have gone into halftime with a lead. Dak Prescott was looking for the home run and dropped a dime into the hands of Pickens, who had a step on his defender and would have put them in field goal range, but <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UnderdogNFL\/status\/2099311916006998396?s=20\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Pickens let the ball go through his hands<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ba\">Prescott threw an interception a couple of plays later and the Giants responed by scoring a touchdown to go up 14-7. They scored again after receiving the second half kick off. Had Pickens caught the pass, the Cowboys might have taken the lead. Instead, they were down by two touchdowns in the blink of an eye.<\/p>\n<p>Winner: CeeDee Lamb, WR<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2ewcqn32sygmq3cdc.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb celebrates after scoring a touchdown as New York Giants S Jevon Holland looks on.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb celebrates after scoring a touchdown as New York Giants S Jevon Holland looks on.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"br\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb celebrates after scoring a touchdown as New York Giants S Jevon Holland looks on. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bx\">The Dallas offense had a lot of struggles throughout this one, but CeeDee Lamb did everything in his power to keep them moving. He not only <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NFL\/status\/2099307660889985221?s=20\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">scored their first touchdown of the game<\/a> on a one-yard pass, but he also gave them a clutch performance after the Cowboys fell behind 21-7.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c2\">Lamb had two catches for 26 yards and drew two pass interference calls on their first possession of the second half. His performance set up a one-yard touchdown run from Javonte Williams, making it a one-score game again.<\/p>\n<p>Loser: Dallas Cowboys secondary<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2ezm1s6b28cmp9drm.jpg\" alt=\"New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.\" title=\"New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"cj\"\/><\/p>\n<p>New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cp\">The defense was supposed to be better this year, but in Week 1, that wasn&#8217;t the case. Jaxson Dart had pass-catchers running free all night, and it had gotten so bad that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/cris-collinsworth-rips-dallas-cowboys-brutal-defense-end-first-half\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cris Collinsworth laid into the defense<\/a> during the broadcast for their lack of coverage.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cu\">Dart finished with 230 yards on 23-of-29 passing with three touchdown passes and no interceptions. Malik Nabers did damage, catching six passes for 69 yards, but it was tight end Isaiah Likely who had the best game. The former Baltimore Raven had 78 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions. It was fair to expect growing pains with Christian Parker taking over, but this was hard to watch.<\/p>\n<p>Loser: Javonte Williams, RB<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2eyky56sp6kx949sw.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"db\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dh\">This game should have gone down as a &#8220;winner&#8221; for Javonte Williams, who scored two touchdowns for the Cowboys. Unfortunately, he made a massive mistake while scoring his second of the night.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dm\">Williams took a short pass from Prescott into the end zone for a 17-yard score. That should have made it a seven-point game, but <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NickHarrisFWST\/status\/2099335702026522985?s=20\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Williams was flagged for taunting<\/a>. That forced Brandon Aubrey to kick a 48-yard extra point, which was missed. While Aubrey normally knocks those in, the extra 15 yards shouldn&#8217;t have even been an issue. Throw in the fact that New York had been dominating all night, and taunting from Dallas made even less sense.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dr\">\u2014\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter<\/a>\u00a0for more free coverage from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Dallas Cowboys on SI<\/a>\u00a0\u2014<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" preventdefault:click=\"\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\" on:pointerenter=\"q-BpOLQORF.js#s_1NOcOpHWmT0\" on:touchstart=\"q-C02KUlcx.js#s_R8AiGTDeM28\" on:focus=\"q-4HuWJVLT.js#s_gxiTM6qMMu8\" on:click=\"q-gAC8BGLP.js#s_lDqay9E5m5g[0]\" q:id=\"dx\">Follow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Dallas Cowboys&#8217; offseason of hype hit a wall as they lost to the New York Giants 28-20&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":435588,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103],"class_list":["post-435587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435587\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/435588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}