The Dallas Cowboys opened the 2026 season with a 28-20 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in John Harbaugh’s first game as New York’s head coach. Dallas is 0-1. The Giants are 1-0.
New York scored first on a 3-yard run by Cam Skattebo, who finished with 81 yards on 18 carries in his return from a serious ankle injury, the AP reported. Dallas tied it in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown catch by CeeDee Lamb from Dak Prescott. Dart then hit tight end Isaiah Likely for a 15-yard score just before halftime, giving the Giants a 14-7 lead.
Likely, who followed Harbaugh from Baltimore, caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, according to ESPN and team recaps. Prescott finished 22 of 34 for 175 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Javonte Williams scored twice for Dallas — once on the ground and once through the air — but managed only 41 rushing yards as the Cowboys averaged 3.8 yards per carry, DallasCowboys.com reported.
The Giants controlled the clock and converted 9 of 11 third downs, according to FOX 4. They outgained Dallas and ran out the final minutes after Dallas cut the deficit to 28-20. Williams drew a taunting penalty on his late touchdown, pushing Brandon Aubrey’s extra point back. Aubrey missed, leaving the Cowboys down eight with no realistic two-score window.
Malik Nabers returned for New York after a torn ACL last season and had six catches for 69 yards, the AP said. Injuries hit Dallas’ defense as well: safety Malik Hooker (forearm) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) left the game, according to postgame reports.
The Cowboys host the Washington Commanders next Sunday at 3:25 p.m. CDT at AT&T Stadium. The game is scheduled for FOX.
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