| Quick Answer The New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 on Sunday Night Football in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Quarterback Jaxson Dart threw three touchdown passes in new head coach John Harbaugh’s first game in charge, while tight end Isaiah Likely caught two of them. Dak Prescott threw two touchdowns for Dallas but also had a costly interception. |
Giants vs Cowboys game highlights and final score: Football is back, and the Giants opened their season the way every fan dreams of — beating their biggest rival on national television. If you missed Sunday night’s clash at MetLife Stadium, or you just want the story in plain, simple terms, here’s everything that happened, who stood out, and why this result matters.Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. For complete stats and official play-by-play details, check the official NFL Game Center.
Final Score: Giants 28, Cowboys 20
New York controlled this game from start to finish. New York scored on its opening drive, carried the ball for more than 36 minutes through the night, and didn’t allow Dallas to settle in. It was the Giants’ second consecutive win over the Cowboys (after having lost 16 of the previous 17 meetings), a big turnaround for a rivalry which had leaned heavily in one direction.
More importantly for the fanbase, in case you still needed another reason to fall in love with the team, it was the first time in nine tries that New York had beaten Dallas in a primetime season opener.
Giants vs Cowboys Game Highlights: How It Unfolded
The Giants came out strong at the snap of the ball, as rookie running back Cam Skattebo scored on a short TD run to put New York up early against Dallas. From that point on, the home team found a way to respond to every scoring stand by the Cowboys.
The turning point came late in the second quarter when Dak Prescott threw an interception which gave the ball to Giants with a golden opportunity as time was about to run out. Jaxson Dart took advantage of the turnover by finding tight end Isaiah Likely wide open for a 15-yard TD strike with just seconds remaining to give New York a 14-7 halftime lead.
The Giants came out firing in the second half as Likely found the end zone again early in the third quarter to extend the lead to 21-7 following a lengthy drive. Dallas responded with a TD of their own but New York found a way to answer once again in the fourth quarter as Dart found running back Devin Singletary for a nine-yard score to put the game up 28-14.
The Cowboys would find a way to score late in the game as Prescott found Javonte Williams for a TD strike but a taunting penalty on the play negated the extra point and Dallas simply ran out of time to chase down the Giants.
Key Players Who Made the Difference
Jaxson Dart (Giants QB)
Dart had the best night of his young career, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns without a single interception. He also ran for 54 yards, using his legs to buy time and extend plays whenever Dallas seemed close to forcing a stop. It was exactly the kind of performance a new head coach hopes to see in his very first game.
Isaiah Likely (Giants TE)
Likely was the story of the night in the passing game. He caught all eight passes thrown his way for 78 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the one matchup Dallas simply couldn’t solve all evening.
Cam Skattebo (Giants RB)
Skattebo did the heavy lifting on the ground, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. His opening-drive score set the tone, and the Giants’ overall 165 rushing yards helped them control the clock for most of the night.
Dak Prescott (Cowboys QB)
Prescott wasn’t bad, throwing for 175 yards and two touchdowns, but a costly interception right before halftime swung momentum firmly toward New York at the worst possible moment for Dallas.
CeeDee Lamb and Javonte Williams (Cowboys)
Lamb caught a touchdown but was held to just 44 yards on five catches, while Williams managed only 41 yards on 12 carries. Dallas simply couldn’t get its normal explosive plays going against a much-improved Giants defense.
Why This Result Matters
Apart from their victory, the game demonstrates the teams’ outlook ahead of the season. It is a great sign for the Giants that their aggressive strategy of a prolonged drive and ball possession, along with the young quarterback’s audacity, paid off against a strong rival. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have revealed that they still have issues with preventing yards and establishing effective defense against both run and pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Giants vs Cowboys game?
The New York Giants won 28-20 over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 1 of the 2026 season.
What was the final score of Giants vs Cowboys?
The final score was Giants 28, Cowboys 20.
Who was the standout player in the Giants vs Cowboys game?
Quarterback Jaxson Dart was the standout, throwing three touchdown passes for 230 yards with no interceptions, while tight end Isaiah Likely caught two of those touchdowns.
Where was the Giants vs Cowboys game played?
The game was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Giants’ home stadium.
Was this John Harbaugh’s first game as Giants head coach?
Yes, this win came in John Harbaugh’s debut as the New York Giants’ head coach.
